It is incredibly important for me to communicate with those brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ in a loving way. I will go out of my way to be easy on their egos and to keep any walls from cropping up between us. This is a sore issue with me because lately I have people getting mad at me, and I can not figure out the reason, and yet I know that something is wrong with them because of their interaction with me.

Doctors and other health professionals remonstrate my health characteristics and tell me that if I do not do something to eliminate stresses in my life that there will be serious health consequences to deal with tomorrow.

So I have made serious decisions about interacting with other people since I have had a stroke last year, and they are paying off for me. The issue of fasting for example is a primary issue with me. After fasting, I never felt better in my whole life. Yet I must not say anything on this subject for fear of verbal reprisals from my “brethren”.

They demonstrate no skilled knowledge on this subject, yet I can easily contradict almost everything they suggest about this interesting subject, because of verifiable experience. Therefore it is a waste of time and energy to even broach the subject. The subject of fasting is an interesting one to say the least.

One noticeable issue is the speed at which people discuss things that are potentially problematic. A knowledgeable saint is willing to listen to intelligent discourse on any issue. Problems are often diffused when we look deeper into any such arguable issue. We must be willing to let the evidence speak for itself and not have to be right all the time.

Pride, one of the worst sins of all, is another factor in this discussion, and must be addressed here. Are things so important to us that we have to eliminate relationships or neglect them? We should rather suffer for the sake of peace and unity if at all possible. Just discussing our feelings is very helpful in resolution of any potential conflict.

Paul said it this way in 1 Cor 6:7-8 NIV
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.

When all is said and done, we represent Jesus Christ and His kingdom. If we cannot have peace, maybe should try harder to have peace. Communication is the solution to this form of conflict and the words of Christ through the Apostle Paul echo their wisdom as much today as 2,000 years ago.

 

 

Copyright © 2007 Kevin Molloy. All rights reserved.