Daily Devotions
Dealing with Sin Privately
Reading for July 27th: Song of Solomon 1-8
Weekly reading for July 26-Aug 1: Matthew 15-19
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Matthew 18:15
How many problems would be solved if we obeyed this simple rule? Sadly, we usually do the exact opposite of what is commanded here. Instead of going privately to the one who has sinned against us we tell the world what they have done to us, and well, you know how that turns out.
Why do we do this? One reason is fear. We're afraid of confrontation. We fear that if we go to the one who has sinned against us we will get burned for it.
But another reason is selfishness. We're putting our own desire for revenge (or fear of rejection) ahead of their soul. Instead of thinking about what might save our brother, we're more concerned about justice for self. We'd rather win in the court of public opinion and receive support from family, friends, and the church than win their soul.
Father God, grant us courage to do the selfless thing with those who have sinned against us. Help us to give up our right to revenge and to instead pursue reconciliation.
