Gaining Your Brother?
“Moreover if your brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
Matt. 18:15 (KJV).
What do you do when your friend does something nasty to you?
Do you tell your other friends what a nasty person he is?
What happens when you tell your other friends about the injustice from your friend?
Firstly, your friends will choose between you and your unjust friend. There will be tension amongst everyone. Secondly, your unjust friend will be upset when he hears what you told the others and defend himself.
The result is that the whole group disintegrates.
When you have a dispute with someone,
discuss it with that person.
Nobody else must know about your problem.
The problem remains with you and your friend.
Why did you tell the others in the first place?
Did you feel humiliated?
Do you want to take revenge?
What do you gain from that?
Jesus taught us to call the person directly.
Explain how you feel.
Go over the issue peacefully.
Husband, tell your wife directly when she offends you.
Same with the wife.
Don’t report yourself to a third party first.
Gain friendship and build trust with each other.
Be a peacemaker.
“If your fellow believer sins against you, you must go to that one privately and attempt to resolve the matter. If he responds, your relationship is restored.”
Matthew 18:15 (TPT)
Application to the Christian life:
Do things the way Jesus would.