Litigious

Litigious

1 Corinthians 6: If any of you have a dispute with another Christian, how dare you go before heathen judges instead of letting God's people settle the matter? ² Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? Well, then, if you are to judge the world, aren't you capable of judging small matters? ³ Do you not know that we shall judge the angels? How much more, then, the things of this life! ⁴ If such matters come up, are you going to take them to be settled by people who have no standing in the church? ⁵ Shame on you! Surely there is at least one wise person in your fellowship who can settle a dispute between fellow Christians. ⁶ Instead, one Christian goes to court against another and lets unbelievers judge the case!

 

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Wanting to show who was in charge, I met with the legal team to discuss a dispute “I” had with another company. Since “they” were acting like jerks, “I” wanted to change the contract to add a few fines. “You can’t do that” the legal team advised. I was furious.

 

• There have been times when I wanted to go to court to get “my” way.
• There have been times when I wanted to show who really had the “power.”
• There have been times when I wanted to sue a group for a simple matter.

 

Paul attempts to grow this group of believers without saying the words “Just grow up!” They were taking disputes to court and letting unbelievers judge the case. Paul explains that those who believe in JESUS will one day judge the world, the evil spirits who tempted us and the one who devoured us.

 

• GOD wants me to seek peace with those who believe in JESUS.
• GOD wants me to use HIS wisdom in settling disagreements.
• GOD wants me to take peace before HIS throne so I will not act like Satan who brings accusations against me every step of the way.

 

Litigiousness also means acting combative, contentious, disputatious, disputative and argumentative. This disruptive behavior destroys the harmony GOD seeks. It also shows just how much of a child I have been when seeking “my” way and throwing a legal tantrum.

 

This behavior shows up in other areas of my life. When I complain about the way other people do things or get mad at GOD while trying to explain to HIM how “good” I have been. GOD wants me to seek HIS peace with everyone and leave the vengeance to HIM. I am grateful for HIS grace that is truly sufficient.

 

• Are you mad at someone to the point of trying to sue?
• Are you seeking advice from those who do not believe in JESUS?
• Will you stop trying to build “your” case and examine your heart to see if you are acting with hatred or love today?

Split Decision

Split Decision

Acts 15: ³⁶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

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When I heard the news of a friend leaving the gathering I regularly attended, I was shocked. The leader of the gathering and the co-leader had parted ways. Not knowing what happened between them, I attempted to get them to speak to one another to no avail. Now I was put in a bad spot. If I stayed, then one would think I was “siding with the opposition,” and vice versa if I left.

• When people split up it stinks!
• When people split up it affects many.
• When people split up it weakens the purpose.

Paul and Barnabas had been through very difficult times together. Paul was stoned and left for dead, yet he continued in the faith. Barnabas wanted to bring Mark with them on their next journey. Paul adamantly disagreed, saying Mark had deserted them.

After a sharp disagreement, Paul and Barnabas separated. While the believers commended Paul, this weakened the support of Barnabas.

• GOD wants me to try to avoid splits.
• GOD wants me to work on loving one another, even when we disagree.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as the goal rather than siding with a group.

Humans are creative with how we hate each other. Immediate reactions to what a person wears, or does not wear or how a person is wearing it or when a person wears it, shows how easily humans throw out compassion in the cause of compassion. No one wins in a split. BUT GOD still continues.

GOD knew humans would not choose HIM. HE saw the poison of sin mixing in with my blood, blinding me of the truth. HE died for me and placed the HOLY SPIRIT in me, to forgive me and guide me back to HIM. This act of kindness cleansed me but did not prevent me from sinning. I am grateful JESUS forgive me daily.

• Are you on a side of something?
• Are you taking a stance against someone or a group?
• Will you check to see if your heart is turning to stone and ask GOD to soften it enough to have you pray for your opposition in a loving way today?

Wanna fight?

Hebrews 12: ¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

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Walking back to my dorm room I had a lot on my mind. As I was sorting things out someone opened their door and screamed out foul names directed at me. I immediately stopped thinking about class and thought about finding the biggest guy I knew.

We banged on the door until it almost broke. We threatened and intimidated them quite nicely I must say. I wonder if I could preach the message of CHRIST to them right after that incident.

• Living with the spirit of “fight” weakens my message of GOD’s love.
• Living with the spirit of “argue” closes off the ears of my opponent when I speak of GOD’s love.
• Living with the spirit of “anger” blinds those who are looking at me as an example of GOD’s love.
• Living with the spirit of “resentment” leaves others cold toward my message of GOD’s love.

Too many times sin has gotten in the way of GOD’s love and I choose to not be a good example. I’ll choose war over peace to teach “that” person a lesson. BUT GOD has another way.

• JESUS chose to die peacefully so that I may live.
• JESUS gave me a new commandment that I love others as I love myself.
• JESUS showed me the example of peaceful living so I have no excuse for not following HIS ways.

I have to admit peaceful living is difficult. When I see someone acting foolish then I feel it’s my duty to bring it to their attention! GOD says “I love them as much as I love you.” HE wants me to love those who are difficult to love so even they may accept GOD’s message of love.

• Are you at odds with someone?
• Are you ready to fight “those” people?
• Can you put your differences aside and live in peace specifically to show GOD’s love?

Unity starts here

Philippians 2:¹Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

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After approaching the head of the department about an idea many people had, I realized we were going to get nowhere. I mean this idea was brilliant yet fell on deaf ears. “We’re going to do it anyway” I said to myself.  I obtained outside resources and funding and we marched ahead with our plans. We built a wonderful tool but it caused a battle that lasted for years.

• My self-interested desires can cause discord when I look at others as opposition.
• My selfish ambitions can bring about disagreements when I only seek my way.
• My self-seeking aspirations can make me look good but in the long run everyone loses.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being driven. Goals should be set and the status quo needs to be challenged but it should be done in a harmless way. GOD gives me a better way to success.

• Instead of getting my way GOD wants me to get “our” way by being like-minded.
• Instead of fulfilling my ambitions GOD wants me to seek “our” ambitions by being the same in love.
• Instead of winning as an individual GOD wants me to have one mind which causes me to seek the needs of others.

When I go for the prize I put blinders on and I may accidently step on a few toes. “They’ll get over it when I succeed” I think to myself. BUT GOD says they won’t get over it. HE desires unity as my path rather than winning for myself.

“But that person is an idiot” I retort. GOD sees even “that” person different. HE loves them deeply and wants them to succeed just as much as HE wants me to succeed. GOD wants me to have “one mind” which may mean I have to change my mind in order to unify for the purpose of bringing CHRIST’s love to them.

• Are you ambitious?
• Do you seek to get your way?
• Are you blind to how you are seeking your own way?
• Can you begin asking others what they need or want in order to gain unity?

Disorganized and confused

1 Corinthians 14: ³³ For God is not a God of disorder but of peace —as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

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Rumors spread rapidly about who was going to become the next CEO when the one, at that time, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. We were already reorganizing as a company but this just threw everything into a tailspin.

No work was done that week because everyone speculated our next move. To tell you the truth, I didn’t sleep much during this confusion.

• When I try to see into the future I get confused and that is not from GOD.
• When I feel disorganized and too many people are weighing in I lose my peace and can’t function well.
• When I am in the middle of political factions and power struggles it’s hard for me to find my direction.

“GOD is not a GOD of disorder.” HE does not scramble up my day in an effort to mess with me.  In fact it is usually my perception of how things are going that messes up my day.  It’s how I choose to see the “mess” that makes things disorganized.

• If I expect things to go wrong yet remain optimistic then GOD will grant me peace.
• If I can release what I expect and know GOD has it handled then HE will grant me peace.
• If I slow down or even stop for a moment and ask GOD for help then HE will grant me peace.

“GOD is not a GOD of disorder” BUT HE is a GOD of peace. HE leads me beside still waters HE restores my soul. HE wants me to give HIM my worries, doubts and fears. HE wants me to stop using my power so HIS strength can shine. The bigger the problem the more I need HIS power.

• Are you confused?
• Do you feel problems, troubles and pressure from all sides?
• Can you take some time to stop and listen to GOD?
• Will you listen to some of HIS promises that state HE has a wonderful plan for you?