CONFRONT THE SIN COURAGEOUSLY                                Luke 17:3-5

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. (vv4-5)

(2) The second implication of Jesus’ words is that we must confront the sin courageously. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them” (Luke 17:3) Jesus is telling us to hold people accountable for their behaviour.  This requires that we carefully and prayerfully determine the nature of the other person’s behaviour. If it is truly sinful, we must not ignore it.

Don’t miss the importance of this step! We are to speak directly to the person, not about him to others. Instead we honestly confront the offender with the sin in his behavior. Forgiveness without confrontation short-circuits the process. The goal of this encounter is not to express our anger but to encourage repentance, restoration, and reconciliation. When we have been mistreated, the last thing most of us want to do is face the offender. It’s more comfortable to complain or bear the wrong in silence as we avoid and withdraw. But we are not given those options. True forgiveness requires an honest confrontation of sin. (ODB)

PRAYER LINE: When you are offended or you have offended someone, to reconcile you pray – Father, be in my head and in my understanding

Be  in my eyes and in my seeing,

Be in my ears and in my hearing,

Be in my tongue and in my speaking,

Be in my heart and in my thinking.

Be at my end and at my departing. Amen

_________________________________________________

Rather than complain, pray.