“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil 4:2)
Euodia and Syntyche had difference of opinion because of which they could not work together smoothly. Somebody had to point out the speck in their eye and remove it. If not, the eye would have developed some infection and got spoiled.
Easily said than done! What do we do when we see a speck in our sister or brother’s eye? Many of us who are spiritual would say: “Let me first remove the log in my eye.” Some others may rudely tell them to correct themselves. Very few pray for them, plan their words and warn them of the speck which could have been a blindspot for them. Removing a speck is a painful and delicate process. In an attempt to remove the speck, we should not injure the eye.
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt” (Lev 19:17). What happens when we see a sin in our loved one? She might have hurt you by her words or actions. We develop a hatred in our heart for her. This hatred lies buried in the depth of our heart and we either cut off our relationship or have a superficial and hypocritical friendship. The Bible admonishes us against such heart hatred.
It also gives us the solution to such hatred. Be frank, be open and rebuke her. Otherwise you are partner to her sin. ‘Rebuke’ is not a loving correction. It is a stern warning which will surely hurt your sister but heal her eye. Jesus did not say you should not care about the speck in your sister’s eye. He said, “First” take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly (Mt 7:3-5).
We must keep working on ourselves and only then with clarity and precision we can help our sister overcome her sin. If we do it with love and prayer though there is temporary hurt, in the long run your sister will become closer to God and closer to you. You two will grow together and strengthen the bond of friendship. Now that your sister’s speck is gone, she can easily remove the plank in your eye. Are you ready?
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips” (Prov 10:18).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil 4:2)
Euodia and Syntyche had difference of opinion because of which they could not work together smoothly. Somebody had to point out the speck in their eye and remove it. If not, the eye would have developed some infection and got spoiled.
Easily said than done! What do we do when we see a speck in our sister or brother’s eye? Many of us who are spiritual would say: “Let me first remove the log in my eye.” Some others may rudely tell them to correct themselves. Very few pray for them, plan their words and warn them of the speck which could have been a blindspot for them. Removing a speck is a painful and delicate process. In an attempt to remove the speck, we should not injure the eye.
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt” (Lev 19:17). What happens when we see a sin in our loved one? She might have hurt you by her words or actions. We develop a hatred in our heart for her. This hatred lies buried in the depth of our heart and we either cut off our relationship or have a superficial and hypocritical friendship. The Bible admonishes us against such heart hatred.
It also gives us the solution to such hatred. Be frank, be open and rebuke her. Otherwise you are partner to her sin. ‘Rebuke’ is not a loving correction. It is a stern warning which will surely hurt your sister but heal her eye. Jesus did not say you should not care about the speck in your sister’s eye. He said, “First” take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly (Mt 7:3-5).
We must keep working on ourselves and only then with clarity and precision we can help our sister overcome her sin. If we do it with love and prayer though there is temporary hurt, in the long run your sister will become closer to God and closer to you. You two will grow together and strengthen the bond of friendship. Now that your sister’s speck is gone, she can easily remove the plank in your eye. Are you ready?
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips” (Prov 10:18).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
