Handling Things God's Way

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

4:42 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 18:15-20. Jesus tells His disciples that if someone sins against them, they should go privately to that person and point out the offense. If the person listens and confesses it, then we have won that person back. But if they do not listen, then they were to take one or two people with them to talk to the person again. These people would be their witnesses as to what was going on. If the person still refuses to listen, then they were to take their case to the church. And if the person still refused to listen, the person was to be treated as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Then Jesus adds that whatever they forbid on earth would be forbidden in heaven, and whatever is permitted on earth would also be permitted in heaven. And if two or more agree here on earth concerning anything they ask, His Father in heaven will do it for them. "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them (Matthew 18:20)."

God does not want us handling disputes the way the world says we should. We must always remember that as for now, the enemy is the ruler of this world. And the things that this world says are good, or the ways the world tells us we should act, are not the ways of the Father. We must turn to our Father in heaven for guidance and direction in all matters. The enemy of this world wants us to be angry and retaliate when we are wronged, but God does not see it that way. God wants us to forgive others when they wrong us, no matter what the wrong is. He wants us to settle matters His way. Trying to settle the dispute ourselves before getting others involved, and when we do get others involved its not to degrade them or slander them by gossiping about them, but to help correct a sin the person is committing.

As followers, we are to speak up when we know a person is sinning, and to try to guide them back in the right direction, God's direction. But we must speak up in a kind way, not in a harsh, judgmental way. But if they still don't listen, even when the church is involved, we let them go on their way, because the sin in our lives can corrupt other believers. When this happens, and they leave the church and go on their own way, we still pray for them. Pray that God will reveal Himself to them. Opening their eyes. We are to never give up on people, but we don't have to allow people to keep hurting us.

God knows all and sees all. He sees when people have been wronged, and He is the one that gives ultimate justice. He does not want us taking matters into our own hands, but for us to allow Him to guide us on how to handle matters His way. Allow Him to guide you in the right direction today.