Last week, I told the story of my friend Betty, who accidentally scratched her husband’s fancy, new car. https://jesusontheroad.com/christian-blog/messed-up-badly-part-1/
The husband, whom I’ll call ‘Bob’, might react in several different ways. How would you react if you were the one sinned against/ whose car was damaged?
- Accuse Betty of being careless and stupid. (Verbal attack).
- Say very little, and use body language to show your disapproval. (Passive-aggressive attack).
- Share Betty’s misdemeanour with all her friends, and all your friends. (Gossip and slander).
- Refuse to let her borrow your car forever/for a very long time. (Punish her).
- Make her pay for repairs. (Demand reparation).
- Demand that she does something for you.
- Take revenge and damage something precious to her.
- Punish her by not doing jobs that she expects you to do/can’t do by herself.
- Tell her, or at least ask yourself, if you made a mistake in marrying her.
- Express your hurt calmly and honestly. Ask if she will help you clean it up. Don’t hold a grudge. Forgive.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:12, 14-15 (NIV)
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
How do you react when someone sins against you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.