To keep quiet or to speak out..
Posted by Nie Cristal on Thursday, June 4, 2009
Under: As a body of Christ
Today's devotion: James 5:19-20
"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Living around different kinds of people, we get to observe many lessons everyday, either knowingly or unknowingly. Ever experience a time when you see someone doing something not right, and you just feel like saying something, yet you end up keeping quiet?
We always have something to say about the wrong thing that people do. Some choose to speak out; some ponder: I'm also not so good so better don't say others; some choose not to be busy-body over others' business.
Someone living around you may just get to meet you alone who would be used by God to convict his unrighteous life. If even you choose not to speak out to him when God touches you to correct him, you're preparing his way to death. Remember there's no such thing as being busy-body if what you are going to tell someone is meant for his good.
Of course the Bible says, "..first take your plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5) If you see your own similar mistake from the mistake that others do, you should thank God for the conviction and repent sincerely. Then, walk over to the people who sin in the same way and talk to them lovingly that they need to repent as well. Because not everybody is sensitive enough to catch God's conviction by themselves. That's why God puts us to live together so that we can help one another to stand up again in the light after one falls.
Don't wait and hear the people around you say this to you when they face judgment someday: "Why didn't you tell me?" Yes, it's not easy to talk to these people. Some have faced discouragement when their sincere convictions are rejected. But let's not give up in doing our part as a body of Christ. Pray to God for His help, then take the step to speak out, in love and in care.
Pause awhile here, and think about anyone you know that you need to take this action step. Pray and ask God to lead you, prepare you for it and grant you the words to say.
Save one more for Jesus! (As inspired by Rick Warren's father) God bless.. ^^
"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Living around different kinds of people, we get to observe many lessons everyday, either knowingly or unknowingly. Ever experience a time when you see someone doing something not right, and you just feel like saying something, yet you end up keeping quiet?
We always have something to say about the wrong thing that people do. Some choose to speak out; some ponder: I'm also not so good so better don't say others; some choose not to be busy-body over others' business.
Someone living around you may just get to meet you alone who would be used by God to convict his unrighteous life. If even you choose not to speak out to him when God touches you to correct him, you're preparing his way to death. Remember there's no such thing as being busy-body if what you are going to tell someone is meant for his good.
Of course the Bible says, "..first take your plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5) If you see your own similar mistake from the mistake that others do, you should thank God for the conviction and repent sincerely. Then, walk over to the people who sin in the same way and talk to them lovingly that they need to repent as well. Because not everybody is sensitive enough to catch God's conviction by themselves. That's why God puts us to live together so that we can help one another to stand up again in the light after one falls.
Don't wait and hear the people around you say this to you when they face judgment someday: "Why didn't you tell me?" Yes, it's not easy to talk to these people. Some have faced discouragement when their sincere convictions are rejected. But let's not give up in doing our part as a body of Christ. Pray to God for His help, then take the step to speak out, in love and in care.
Pause awhile here, and think about anyone you know that you need to take this action step. Pray and ask God to lead you, prepare you for it and grant you the words to say.
Save one more for Jesus! (As inspired by Rick Warren's father) God bless.. ^^
In : As a body of Christ
Tags: love save conviction
