Day 279, or October the 6th. We don't need megaphone
diplomacy. Our thoughts today come from Matthew
chapter 18, verse 15. If your brother or sister
sins, go and point out their fault, just between
the two of you. If they listen to you, you have
won them over. And now the big picture surrounding
this verse. Our verse today is taken from a passage
that records many events that take place east
of the Jordan River in a province called Perea,
which is never mentioned by name in the Bible.
In the Old Testament, it roughly coincides with
the region of Moab, an area that produced Ruth,
but also was at odds with Israel for centuries.
It's likely that there is now only a small number
of days before Jesus is crucified, and these
chapters include some important reconciling teaching
about how to deal with those who offend you,
how to forgive them, and what your priorities
should be in daily life. And now today's action
step. There is a certain amount of pleasure in
putting someone straight in public where everyone
can see them squirm and at the same time witness
your ability to argue your case and be proved
right. It rarely brings reconciliation and often
builds a wall between the two sides of the argument.
Jesus' wise advice is to do it just between the
two of you. I have found that people tend to
be far more reasonable when you get them on their
own. when there is no audience to play to. You
are an unusual person if you agree with everything
that is said and done in your church or workplace
or home, so try this method of dealing with disagreements
next time. I probably need to hear this as much
as anyone else hearing these words, but I'm sure
we can all benefit from this teaching. If you
have to have a one -to -one meeting, make sure
you begin graciously, Perhaps with a short word
of prayer, if that's appropriate. Try to listen
more than you talk and beware of quoting biblical
texts to back up your claim, unless you really
have to. Rely on the Holy Spirit and not on your
own eloquence.