It’s dangerous to build a belief system or doctrine on a single portion of Scripture. Unless we draw from the multi-faceted wisdom of our Bible, we become hard or narrow in our response to life.
For example, on one occasion Jesus supported an open confrontation. He said to His disciples, If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault. . . . (Mt. 18:15a NIV) His teaching was based on Leviticus 19:17, and it applied to settling disputes quietly and peacefully with another believer. Involving others was necessary only if agreement wasn’t reached.
Other Old Testament Scriptures seem to contradict that approach. For example, Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. (Prov. 9:7,8)
There are no pat answers to relationship problems; each circumstance requires individual attention and wisdom. We need to search God’s Word for direction—we need to search our hearts to determine our own error—and we need to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Originally published September 13, 1985.
Picture: Potted garden plants, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.
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