Zero-Tolerance Policy

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you. —Ephesians 4:31

In Ephesians 4, Paul instructs us to impose a zero-tolerance policy concerning the sharing of unkind, untrue, and unhelpful information about others.

I understand you may be dealing with situations where people have sinned against you. But before you air your grievances, take a minute to check your motivation. Is it to punish the offender? To gain an outside ally? Are you as concerned about the people you’re criticizing as you are about how their actions are affecting you?

And have you prayed for the person who’s hurting you? Have you gone to them directly in a genuine appeal for their personal welfare and restoration?

When it becomes necessary to expose another’s sin, be sure the exposure comes from a heart that wants to see him or her restored to a right relationship with God. And be sure to pick your confidants carefully. A good rule of thumb that’s been helpful to me: if the person with whom you’re sharing this concern isn’t part of the problem or the solution, don’t say it.

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Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together © 2017 Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Scripture taken from The CSB