Loving Warnings

Loving Warnings

Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

1 Corinthians 4:21

Sometimes we need to hear encouraging words, but sometimes we need to hear messages that cause us to pause and take a close look at our hearts. Children need praise and encouragement, but they also need loving discipline. Spouses need us to cheer them on, but we should also lovingly confront if we see our spouses straying from God’s path. Rules of a Godly Life contains many statements that read like warnings. One part says, “Do not be proud and overbearing because you have been blessed with this world’s goods . . . for God who has given can also take away, and may do so, if you through pride or contempt of others make misuse of His gifts to you.”

The Bible, too, is filled with such caring warnings. Hebrews 12:13 says, “Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

Some people find it easier to focus on the good they see in people. For others, it’s easier to point out what is wrong in someone’s life, but there is a middle ground: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1).

Through prayers and personal confrontation, the Amish follow this mandate. When someone sins, they go to that person humbly and with concern.

Is there someone in your life whom you need to lovingly confront? Perhaps you need to sit down with the Scriptures and peer into your own soul. Warnings come through words and prayers for our good. And we should offer the same to those we love.

Dear heavenly Father, one of the hardest things to do is confront someone I love. Give me peace and a gentle spirit, that I may offer Your grace with my words.