Category Archives: Confrontation

Bible, Confrontation, Love, Peace, Scripture, Truth

SPEAK THE TRUTH, BUT…

EPHESIANS 4:15

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,”

We all love to be told the truth, right? No one wants to be lied to. We would prefer that people tell us the truth, but some people like to be downright rude in doing that. That don’t care how much it hurts the other person, because they just “tell it like it is.” How does that mesh with today’s verse?

In verse 14 Paul has just told us to be careful and watch out for deceitful scheming. He continues that sentence by tell us to speak the truth in love. What did he mean by that? Don’t forget what Paul wrote in verses 11-14. He was talking about the body of Christ and how it is built up. Paul still has that thought on his mind. He wants us all to speak truth one to another but always in love.

APPLICATION

The phrase “speaking the truth” is actually one Greek word, used only twice in the New Testament. It is used here and over in Galatians 4:16. The word is alétheuó which can mean a “Spirit-led confrontation where it is vital to tell the truth so others can live in God’s reality rather than personal illusion.” (HELPS Word studies). In the Galatians passage it says, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Paul was warning the Galatians in this passage about those who would lead them away from their faith.

But the key, for me, in today’s verse is the little phrase “in love.” Don’t just read that and move on. Let it soak in. The word used here is agape, which is God’s love. It’s a beneficial love, a sacrificial love. That changes everything. Paul is saying to speak the truth to a brother or sister but do it like God would. How many of us are guilty of speaking truth in our own way?

The next time you need to confront someone about their behavior or their words, do it in love, God’s love. As I close this blog, read 2 John 1:1-3. I believe John says it well. “1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

Lord, help me to love in truth and speak truth in love. They go together because they are both of You.

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Accountability, Advice, Allies, Battles, Bible, Conflict, Confrontation, Direction, God's Will, Harmony, Relationships, Scripture

STRAIGHT FOOTED

GALATIANS 2:14

“But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”

I used to love to mow grass. Just the task of getting it done and seeing the finished job was calming. That probably sounds strange, doesn’t it? In my last children’s home job, I would occasionally hop on our zero turn mower and mow some of the large fields on campus. The key to keeping a straight line is to look down the field and find a spot to go towards. You have to watch your tire tracks to keep them straight also. My dad taught me that. Going straight just made the field look nicer once I was done.

Paul and Peter aren’t mowing grass in today’s verse. But the principle I just shared is applicable. Paul saw that Peter was not walking straight in regards to the teachings of Christ. The Greek word for “they were…straightforward” is orthopodeo, which is from two Greek words – orthos (straight) and pous (foot). This word is only used here in Galatians 2:14. Peter had strayed from the straight path. He was off course, and Paul had a moral and spiritual obligation to confront him publicly for this public display.

APPLICATION

Sometimes we do things that are not “straight-footed.” We get off course. We stray. We are headed down the wrong path. Isn’t it great when someone confronts you? Not really! No one wants that. But it is so necessary. I have had to confront friends who were not walking straight. Friends have confronted me, as well. John tells us in 1 John 5:16 “If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will, for him, give life to those who commit sin not leading to death.”

Even Jesus gave us instructions in this matter. In Matthew 18:15-17 we read, “15 ‘Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.’”

Now, all that may sound too confrontational for you. I understand. It’s not easy to confront a brother or sister. It’s not easy to be confronted. But if we live that way, holding each other accountable in love, we would have so much less need to do it. As for you, be willing to receive correction when given. None of us are perfect. Amen?

Oh Father, thank You for friends who will confront me in my sin to help lead me to walk “straight-footed.”

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Accountability, Advice, Apologies, Bible, Choices, Confrontation, Encouragement, Gospel, Influence, Mentoring, Scripture

BAD INFLUENCE

GALATIANS 2:13

“The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.”

It is not a good thing to be a bad influence. God does not look approvingly on that. I have to admit that before I came to Christ, I was not the best influence. I had some bad habits that I shared. I repented of that and have apologized to those I may have harmed back then. Even as a believer we can do that also. Let’s look at what happened in Antioch.

Paul begins to get in more detail why he had to oppose Peter to his face (as he said back in verse11). Because Peter stopped eating with the Gentiles, the rest of the converted Jews and even Barnabas, were influenced by him. The word Paul uses for “carried away” is only used three times in the New Testament. Once it is positive (Romans 12:16) and twice negatively (here and in 2 Peter 3:17). These Jews and Barnabas were led away by Peter’s negative behavior towards the Gentiles.

APPLICATION

Why did Paul jump in and confront Peter? Well, we will see more of the story in the rest of chapter 2. But to make a concise point – Paul had to stop the corruption of the Gospel. Peter and the rest of the men who pulled away were essentially adding to the Gospel. They were implying that you had to eat kosher to be right with the Lord. Thank the Lord that didn’t hold up. I love bacon, lol.

Another story of bad influence was told in the book of Acts when Ananias made the plan with his wife Sapphira to lie to Peter about their land sale. Read Acts 5:1-11 for the full story. This decision to follow her husband in this lie cost Sapphira her life. When we influence people in a negative manner, it may not cost them their physical life, but it could spiritually. If unbelievers don’t see a difference in us because of Jesus, they may be influenced to not listen to the drawing of the Holy Spirit in their own lives, thus costing them eternity with Christ.

Who will you influence today? You have the opportunity to be Jesus to someone. You may influence a neighbor by the way you speak to them on the street. You may influence a fellow believer by sharing a prayer request with them or praying with them. We have a high calling. Be an influencer – only in a positive way.

Lord, give me the opportunity today to influence someone to follow Jesus – not me.

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Accountability, Allies, Bible, Confrontation, Disciplemaking, Gentleness, Harmony, Kindness, Relationships, Scripture

CONFRONTATION

GALATIANS 2:11

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.”

It is not easy to confront someone who is in sin, is it? You risk losing that friend for life. But if you don’t confront them in love, you risk seeing them spiral downward. In the ministry I am serving in, Every Man A Warrior, we teach men to hold other men accountable. In fact, they have to sign a commitment to be a part of the group. One of the commitments says:

I will not be defensive if my brothers challenge me if I do not fulfill my commitment. I will welcome their challenge and seek greater faithfulness.

Paul had to confront Peter in Antioch. Why? Well, we will see that whole story in the next 10 verses (2:12-21). Paul had a mission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He, being a former Pharisee, was very careful to guard these new converts from being influenced by anyone who wanted to add to the requirements for salvation. That was through Christ alone. Just watch over the next several days how Paul confronts Peter about his hypocrisy. I am sure it was not easy to do this.

APPLICATION

The application for us in this verse is obvious. We have to confront our fellow believers when we see them in obvious sin. Why? Because we want to present to a lost world a united front. Listen to what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:24-26. “24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” Notice, Paul said “with gentleness.”

We even see Jesus confronting the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 23:25-26. “25 ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.’” Read verses 13-32 to see all eight of the woes Jesus lays on these individuals. Remember, even though all this sounds harsh, Jesus loved these people and would eventually die, even for them.

As I said at the beginning, this is not easy. But it is so necessary. My wife will confront me when I am wrong. I may not like it, but I appreciate it (I really do, honey). I want to be a better man for her. I want to be a more godly man for her. I can get blinded to my own sin at times. I am thankful for others in my life who will hold me accountable and lovingly draw me back to Christ.

Father, give me the boldness to confront a brother or sister in Christ who are straying from the path.

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Affliction, Battles, Belief, Bible, Confrontation, Corruption, Deceit, Enemies, Fighting, Gospel, Scripture

AGITATORS

GALATIANS 1:7

“which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

It seems in every body of believers there are those who are determined to disturb and agitate. If they don’t get their way in a committee meeting, they start grumbling and mumbling. Other agitators come in and start complaining about the Pastor’s messages. They are subtle, but impactful. Before you know it, you have a full blown rebellion happening in the church.

Why do I bring this up? Because this is exactly what Paul is speaking about in today’s verse. Those people who came into the Galatian churches after Paul were agitating and trying to change the Gospel which Paul had preached. The Greek word for “disturbing” means “to stir up trouble.” Then Paul uses a word for “distort” that is only used three times in Scripture. It means “to turn or pervert.” These people had ill intentions from the start. “Paul’s message wasn’t good enough. You need this, too.”

APPLICATION

This other gospel that was being preached by these agitators in Galatia is still present today. They were preaching that you need to do certain things to receive salvation. Belief in Jesus wasn’t enough. You needed to keep the Mosaic law. Well, today you may not hear that, but you hear other things are required for salvation. You must do this, or you can’t do that. Listen, all we need in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Paul also says over in Romans 5:1-2, “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.” You can’t get much clearer than that. Nothing will justify us before God except the blood of Christ.

What are you working so hard for? You can’t achieve your salvation through works. You can’t achieve your salvation by going to church every time the doors are opened. You can’t get to heaven on your own merits. You can’t do enough to tip the scale in your favor. But…Jesus’ blood can. Are you washed in His blood? If you are, you are sealed with His promise. Hallelujah!

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?

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Abiding, Appearance, Bible, Confrontation, Enemies, Forgiveness, God's Will, Grace, Humility, Kindness, Scripture

THE HIGH GROUND

ZECHARIAH 14:10

“All the land will change into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin’s Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses.” 

Anyone with any knowledge of battle plans knows the importance of the high ground. From there you can see all around and monitor your enemies. You can defend your camp better from high ground. The downside of that high ground is your enemy can also see you. The high ground has its pros and cons, I guess.

The landscape around Jerusalem is going to change one day when this prophecy occurs. Verse 10 today tells us about this changing landscape. Jerusalem is currently surrounded pretty much with hills. But on this day, all those hills will be leveled a plain. Jerusalem will have the high ground. All will be able to observe the holy city. Jesus, the Messiah, is there for all to see.

APPLICATION

The application for this verse today has to be taken more allegorically. Will you give me some leeway today? Let me encourage you today to take the high ground, the high road, when it comes to conflict. Let your actions in response to your earthly foes be one of above reproach. I am reminded of the question posed by Peter regarding forgiveness. Matthew 18:21-22 tells us this story. “21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.’”

The rabbinical law taught to forgive someone three times, so Peter thought he was going above and beyond by saying seven times. Jesus blew his mind with his answer – 77 times! What?! Then Jesus went on to tell a story about a king and a slave who owed him a great amount. You know the story. I bet Peter got the message.

How about you? Can you take the high ground, the high road? Can you be the one to extend forgiveness 77 times? And if others refuse to forgive you, just keep loving them. Let me rephrase that. Allow Jesus to love them through you. Die to yourself. Give it to Him. He can and will accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time.

Father, I want my life to be lived in such a way that I can be observed as if on high ground with nothing to hide.  

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Abuse, Bible, Confrontation, Enemies, Harm, Humiliation, Insults, Mockery, Ransom, Salvation, Scripture

WHAT AN INSULT!

ZECHARIAH 11:12

“And I said to them, ‘If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!’ So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages.”

Have you ever been truly insulted? It is not a good feeling. It’s embarrassing and humiliating. If it is done in front of others, that insult is magnified. That probably happened to me the last time while I was working with a fellow who disliked me because of my ministry. He called me a rather nasty name right in the middle of a staff meeting.

In today’s verse, we find Zechariah writing about his proposed wages from those he asked it – thirty shekels of silver. What you may not know is the standard price for a good servant was twice that. This price of thirty was what was paid for a servant that had been gored by an ox (see Exodus 21:32) and was therefore damaged goods. But you must remember that Zechariah was acting on behalf of Jehovah. The people were spurning God, not just Zechariah.

APPLICATION

Before Christ, we were all guilty of spurning God. We figuratively spit in His face and refused the gift He offered us in His Son, Jesus Christ. But after we become believers, we see the value of the gift. We offer all we have to be one with Him. I am reminded of Matthew 13:45-46. “45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it.’”

What price can you place on your gift of salvation? If we don’t offer Him everything, we are insulting the God of creation. We are saying we don’t value His gift to us. He laid down His life in the form of Jesus. He shed divine blood for us. He suffered and bled for all mankind. Why would we not give Him everything?

I can’t think of a single thing right now in my life that I place above that. I couldn’t have always said that. In the past I took my salvation for granted. I made it look cheap. Not now! I see its value in my life. Can you say the same? Is it worth everything to you? Lay it all down at His feet and watch what He does with it. I won’t spoil the surprise!

O Lord, my God, You are so good to me. I praise You for paying the ultimate price for my salvation.

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Accountability, Bible, Confession, Confrontation, Consequences, Forgiveness, Holiness, Judgment, Scripture

FROTHING AT THE MOUTH

NAHUM 1:6

“Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath gushes forth like fire, and the rocks are broken up by Him.”

I had a football coach once who would get so mad that he would actually froth at the mouth. Do you know what that means? It means little pieces of foam appear in the corners of the mouth, and as you speak or yell, you spit white chunks from your lips. Very appealing, lol.

As unappealing as that may be, that is exactly the picture Nahum is describing in today’s verse. The Hebrew word for “indignation” gives us the picture of someone frothing at the mouth in anger and rage. God is fed up with Nineveh, and this time His full wrath will fall on the city.

APPLICATION

Excuse me, but that is not a sight I want to see. Thanks be to God; I never will have to face God’s frothing mouth of wrath. All that was done away with at Calvary. All I will experience is the peaceful, kind smile of my heavenly Father.

Maybe you are afraid today that you are going to face His indignation. Perhaps you are not a believer. If that is the case, you have much to fear. The justice He demands for your sins must be paid. Come to Him today.

Or maybe you are a believer but still think God is out to get you. You think He spends all His time finding new ways to entrap you. That is a lie of the devil. God’s desire is to show you His love through His Son, Jesus. He has paid the price so that you do not have to. Rest in Him today.

O Lord, thanks for rescuing me through Your Son from ever having to witness Your frothing wrath.

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Abiding, Accountability, Allegiance, Battles, Bible, Commands, Confrontation, Deceit, Deception, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Following, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Scripture

YOU CAN’T OUTFOX GOD

MICAH 6:5

“My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab planned and what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you might know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

Be sure your sins will find you out. We have probably all heard that quote (It comes from Numbers 32:23). We try to hide our sins, don’t we? We can hide them for a while from people around us, but we cannot hide them from the all-seeing eye of God. He knows our most intimate secrets, including our sins. We cannot outfox Him.

Balak thought he could do an end-a-round on God. He knew the people of Israel were a mighty force and thought if he could just get a curse on them, it might improve his chances to defeat them. Wrong! That curse bounced right back in his face as a blessing. What was meant to encourage his troops served to put even more fear into them. God is reminding His people of that here in Micah.

APPLICATION

We are so much better off if we will just seek God’s will and do it rather than trying to sneak around. When we finally realize that God’s will for our lives is all about blessing us, we can rest in Him. Now, that does not mean we will not have some hard times. However, even in those there are blessings if we look hard enough.

We want our lives to be problem free. We want that bed of roses. Life is just not that way. Some people have it easier than others. That is true. But that does not diminish the fact that a loving God cares for you and wants what is best for your life. You just have to surrender to His will.

I wish my life was problem free. I still have to fight this disease I have (Amyloidosis). There is no cure for it, only treatments. But I am thankful for the doctors, hospitals and other medical team members who have served me so well. I am thankful for the opportunities it has given me to minister to others going through the same treatments. There is no end-a-round here. I have to trust my Great Physician in the process. How about you?

Father God, help me to trust You even in the hardest times and not try to hide my sins and acts of disobedience. I want to walk in the light with You.

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Abuse, Accused, Advocate, Affliction, Battles, Bible, Confrontation, Devil, Distress, Encouragement, Enemies, Holy Spirit, Modeling, Rescue, Satan, Scripture

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE 

MICAH 5:9 

“Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries, and all your enemies will be eliminated.” 

The title today is a saying I have heard all my life. Do you recognize it? Picture a tight squeeze that will not let up. You feel pressed from all sides. There is no relief. You do not know how much longer you can go on. Your body is crying out for the pressure to ease up. 

That is the word used here today for “adversaries.” In the Hebrew it means a tight squeeze. In other words, that is the feeling you get when you face adversaries. Of course, Micah tells the people here that their hands will be raised up against those adversaries and they will eliminate or destroy them. Whew! Relief! 

APPLICATION 

I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:8. “Be of sober spirit, keep on the alert, for your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” This adversary is relentless. He never gives up. He is relentless in his pursuit of us. He wants to destroy us. 

I was sharing with a dear brother recently that very fact. He was very aware of it and had been feeling the teeth of this ravaging spirit. Our defense? The Word of God, just like Jesus. We must answer the devil charge after charge with the Word. It is our Sword of the Spirit. 

Most days I am successful at warding off this adversary. I am prayed up and read up. But there are other days when I let my guard down for just a milli-second. In He swoops with fangs exposed going for my jugular. That Is why we all must be of sober spirit and on the alert. We do have victory over our adversaries when we are clinging to Jesus. 

O God, my Savior, I cling to You. I know only through You can I walk in victory each day. 

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