Blessed Are The Peacemakers

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“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. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” – Matthew‬ ‭18:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There you have it —the godly way to handle sin and conflict. It may be simple to understand, but it goes against our natural tendency, which is to gossip to anyone about our offense EXCEPT the offender. When we gossip, we offer a cup of bitterness and hatred to the listener—a poisonous cocktail that, when swallowed, begins to destroy them from the inside out.  

Wars begin when we swallow this bait of the devil.  The enemy delights in destroying relationships, especially marriages and families.  Imagine how he must relish watching our country implode! 

The enemy sets us up to victimize each other. We bloody one another while he sits back unscathed with a sickening grin on his face. This should make our blood boil, to realize that when we embrace hate, we play the fool, becoming pawns of the enemy. Get angry, but not at one another. Get angry at the devil! 

How then should we handle conflict and sin?

Follow the counsel of Matthew 18.  Prayerfully, with a heart of reconciliation, approach the offender. Together take the issue before God.  If they refuse, take two or three others, and try again.

If we are the offender, we should humbly ask for forgiveness and make restitution, if necessary.  And if we are tempted to listen to gossip, scripture instructs us to not become embroiled in foolish controversies (Titus 3:9). We should refuse to be pulled in. 

Father, help us to raise the standard and to respond to sin and conflict with godliness.  Strengthen us to serve as loving, wise and humble peacemakers in a world riddled with hate. 

Teach us to turn a deaf ear to gossip, and instead to pour out mercy and grace.  Lord, Your Word says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”  May we choose to be blessed!  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

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