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Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Confession is Just as Important as Forgiveness
When we do things God's way, it brings fruit and reconciliation. When we do things man's way, nothing good is accomplished, and often sin is coddled and allowed to grow.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
It is important not to miss the words "if he sins against you, rebuke him" and "if he comes and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Confession of sin is just as important as forgiveness; they are both necessary to reconcile a relationship. Without the confession, there is just enabling that causes evil to grow worse and conscience to be seared.
If we care about the offender, we tell them the offense and require a contrite heart to reconcile.
Our desire should never be just to feel peaceful while running from needed discussions that can resolve things.
There are those who have proven to be so unreasonable in their responses to the mildest challenges that we know an attempt at reconciliation through confession is impossible; this problem of arrogance and lack of humility is growing in our culture.
It is human nature to do the easy thing and just let everything go. But God's way is that we do the hard work of reconciliation that not only resolves things but grows people closer than if they had never resolved it and pretended it didn't happen.
The important thing to remember is that humility is required in both the offender and the offended. When this happens, relationships grow together in holiness and strength of character.
May we surround ourselves with people who think Biblically and are dedicated to quality relationships rather than superficial ones.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
It is important not to miss the words "if he sins against you, rebuke him" and "if he comes and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Confession of sin is just as important as forgiveness; they are both necessary to reconcile a relationship. Without the confession, there is just enabling that causes evil to grow worse and conscience to be seared.
If we care about the offender, we tell them the offense and require a contrite heart to reconcile.
Our desire should never be just to feel peaceful while running from needed discussions that can resolve things.
There are those who have proven to be so unreasonable in their responses to the mildest challenges that we know an attempt at reconciliation through confession is impossible; this problem of arrogance and lack of humility is growing in our culture.
It is human nature to do the easy thing and just let everything go. But God's way is that we do the hard work of reconciliation that not only resolves things but grows people closer than if they had never resolved it and pretended it didn't happen.
The important thing to remember is that humility is required in both the offender and the offended. When this happens, relationships grow together in holiness and strength of character.
May we surround ourselves with people who think Biblically and are dedicated to quality relationships rather than superficial ones.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Relationships are Demolished for Lack of Integrity
Marriages fall apart today because of the lack of commitment to God and honor. Many people had to work out problems in marriage because the dishonor that came with divorce was worse than our personal discomfort or desires.
When we are committed to being honorable, personal discomfort is not an issue.
My definition of honor: adherence to what is right, no matter what it takes!
The sense of giving up honor to have pleasure or lack of struggle was unthinkable two generations ago. The struggle was preferable to the disgrace of giving up integrity.
Integrity was of such great value that there was a sense of accomplishment and determination attached to it more than any idea of personal aggrandizement. Getting it done right was the goal of every endeavor, even if no one else noticed.
Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them"
When we are committed to being honorable, personal discomfort is not an issue.
My definition of honor: adherence to what is right, no matter what it takes!
The sense of giving up honor to have pleasure or lack of struggle was unthinkable two generations ago. The struggle was preferable to the disgrace of giving up integrity.
Integrity was of such great value that there was a sense of accomplishment and determination attached to it more than any idea of personal aggrandizement. Getting it done right was the goal of every endeavor, even if no one else noticed.
Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them"
The Hardest Thing is to do Nothing
The hardest thing for mankind to do is "nothing"; we think we can fix everything, when in reality, there is very little we can fix without help.
When we trust in Christ instead of ourselves, we can depend on Him for the proper answer at the proper time. When something is done His way we will have the best outcome for our good.
It may not be what we wanted or expected, but we will see how much better it is for us.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
When we trust in Christ instead of ourselves, we can depend on Him for the proper answer at the proper time. When something is done His way we will have the best outcome for our good.
It may not be what we wanted or expected, but we will see how much better it is for us.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Hearers Interpret What They Hear in Terms of their own Mindset!
Next time someone accuses you of saying something in a mean way when you did not, just quote scripture to them.
Hebrews 4:12-13
"12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [b]we must answer."
Those who focus on the delivery will almost always misinterpret the intent because they will hear it the way the spirit in them is feeling about the information.
These same people will tell you that "only God knows the heart.", Yes, He does, and He imparts that wisdom to us because He lives in us and gives us the discernment through His Word to be able to navigate through this rebellious and sinful world.
Those who are open to a correction will hear the truth, without regard to the delivery. How we say something, the feelings of those hearing, and other excuses are distractions to disarm believers, making them fearful about speaking the truth.
Hebrews 4:13 "13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Sinful, resistant people hate being exposed and will operate to defend and excuse themselves.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
When we are equipped with the Word of God we have no need to worry about the response of others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
God's word is a shield and blessing to those who want to grow in holiness but it is a hammer and feared by those who are full of arrogance and pride.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe."
We as born-again believers, know the incredible peace and joy that comes from knowing the truth and following it. It causes us to tell others so they can have it too.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
Hebrews 4:12-13
"12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [b]we must answer."
Those who focus on the delivery will almost always misinterpret the intent because they will hear it the way the spirit in them is feeling about the information.
These same people will tell you that "only God knows the heart.", Yes, He does, and He imparts that wisdom to us because He lives in us and gives us the discernment through His Word to be able to navigate through this rebellious and sinful world.
Those who are open to a correction will hear the truth, without regard to the delivery. How we say something, the feelings of those hearing, and other excuses are distractions to disarm believers, making them fearful about speaking the truth.
Hebrews 4:13 "13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Sinful, resistant people hate being exposed and will operate to defend and excuse themselves.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
When we are equipped with the Word of God we have no need to worry about the response of others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
God's word is a shield and blessing to those who want to grow in holiness but it is a hammer and feared by those who are full of arrogance and pride.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe."
We as born-again believers, know the incredible peace and joy that comes from knowing the truth and following it. It causes us to tell others so they can have it too.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
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