Know Your Bible
VOL. 14 January 1, 2017 NO. 42
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DEALING WITH OTHERS
Dealing with others is not always easy. What should I say? How much should I believe of what I hear? Is there another side to the story I've been told? Am I being fair in my dealings with others? These and other questions must be answered.
When we deal with others there is always the potential for differences to arise. When those differences come it is easy to forget to use some common sense rules in our conflict. We are not always as fair in dealing with those we disagree with as we are in defending ourselves or those with whom agree.
For some time I have been thinking about how brethren treat one another. I have thought about how many problems are simple misunderstandings. It seems to me that we are not always as careful as we ought to be. As I have thought and talked with others, some basic rules come to mind that we ought to follow.
1. Pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5). If there is any time we need wisdom it is when we deal with those with whom we disagree. Let us pray that we may have the wisdom to know: (a) how to approach others, (b) what we should say and what we should not reveal, (c) what I should believe and what I should reject of what I hear, (d) the good that is in other people, and (e) how slow or fast I need to be in my conclusions.
2. Be careful what you say. Any of us could easily get carried away and say things that we would later wish had not been said. The proverb writer said, "He who restrains his lips is wise" (Prov. 10:19). We must be careful what we say to and about others. It may be information that others have told us in confidence. It may be that the one to whom we give the information may not honor our request to keep it confidential. Let us be "slow to speak" (Jas. 1:19) knowing that "a tale bearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter" (Prov. 11:13). We don't have to tell all we know. "A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back" (Prov. 29:11).
We must be careful how we choose our words. Let's make sure we are conveying the right idea. If we are not cautious, our words can be like the "piercing of a sword" (Prov. 12:18). We must watch what we say and how we say it. Remember, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Prov. 15:1).
Let us also be careful lest we say something detrimental to others. "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor" (Prov. 11:9; cf. v. 13; 20:19). It is possible that I could be telling things about others when I don't have all the facts. What I say could destroy the name and reputation of others.
3. There are two sides to the story. In some situations there is some fault on both sides. Thus, both of the parties at odds have some legitimate points. However, there are some situations where the two sides are the right side and the wrong side. Still, there are two sides.
The questions I must ask myself are: Am I listening to and believing the wrong side? Am I taking the wrong side? Have I considered the other side of the story? There may be more that I need to know before I draw my conclusions and state them. The proverb writer said, "The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him" (Prov. 18:17). Whoever tells his side first makes it sound good.
4. Don't jump to conclusions. Too often we take a little information and fill in more gaps than are there. We can easily assume motives that we have no way of knowing. I wonder how often our talk and criticism about others would change if we deleted everything but the real facts that we know.
The proverb writer warned, "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Prov. 18:13). Let us not be hasty in our words (Prov. 29:20).
5. Give others the benefit the of the doubt. Love "believes all things" (1 Cor. 13). It gives a person the benefit of the doubt. That means when a questionable situation arises where you could put more than one construction on it, believe the best. When a problem arises and you can put either a good or bad motive on it believe the best. After all, don't you want others to do that with you (Matt. 7:12)?
Yes, these rules are simple. But, with a little application we can avoid a lot of friction and misunderstanding.
—Donnie Rader
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THE SEPARATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord is pure, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (I Jn.1:5). His righteousness only highlights man’s sinfulness. Our Savior’s love outshines man’s sins by washing them all away through the blood of His precious sacrifice (Rom.3:23-26). Each person accesses the forgiveness of their sins through the special faith God provides.
One that obeys, it doesn’t just talk (Jas.2:19-24). This purity of heart makes people God’s children (Matt.5:8). He wants saints to remain His own special possession. One way The Lord keeps His disciples close to Him is by separating them from the impure influences surrounding them.
Obviously Noah would be one of the first to be separate from evil influences of the world. He lived during a time when every thought of men’s “heart was only on evil continually” (Gen.6:5-6). God isolates Noah and his family on an ark that floated above a titanic flood which destroyed that wicked world.
The same Lord commands Abraham to leave his idolatrous father, Terah, and move to a land that would one day belong to his descendants, Israel (Gen.12:1-5 and Jos.24:2). Obedient Abraham became the “father of the faithful.” When Joseph brought Jacob, his father, and his family into Egypt he understood they could not be immersed into the Egyptian culture because of the spiritual dangers that involved. Joseph, second in authority only to Pharaoh, instructs his family to state clearly to Pharaoh their lifelong occupation, shepherds. The Egyptians saw shepherds as unclean to them and separate Joseph’s family into the Land of Goshen (Gen.46:31-34). The Lord knows that when His people openly reveal their staunch faith in Him evil people will often avoid them. They will separate godly people from themselves. Sadly throughout Israel’s history they spent much of their time compromising their convictions and losing their relationship with God.
It’s not surprising God’s message for Christians is the same in relation to having close fellowship with evil people. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Cor.6:14) Some things are clearly wrong, like the Corinthian brother who was living with his father’s wife. The apostle Paul commands the church to withdraw their fellowship from him that he might be ashamed and turn away from this sin (I Cor.5:1-13). Christians also work to keep themselves out of compromising circumstances which might involve a wide variety of good things: marriage, work, dress, entertainment, and other similar practices. Saints’ real home is in heaven and they reflect this by the way they live their lives on earth (Heb.11:13-16). Are you separate from the world?
—David Hartsell
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***SENTENCE SERMONS***
The best inheritance a father can leave his children is a good example.
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Choice, not chance, determines human destiny.
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To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have.
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If you want to defend Christianity, practice it.
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If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
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You (and I) cannot justify our faults by saying, “That’s just the way I am!”
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Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.
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