Can I Say That?

"Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back — a trumpet-blast shout!
Tell my people what's wrong with their lives, face my family Jacob with their sins! Isaiah 58:1 THE MESSAGE

Boy, this is a tough one. I recently had to do just this. A mother was placing the needs of others ahead of the needs of her children. There is nothing wrong with helping others, with being a good Samaritan. As a matter of fact it is a good thing to assist and encourage those who are experiencing difficulties. Jesus instructs us to care for those who are facing struggles.

"’Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Luke 10:36-37 NIV

However, meeting the needs of others is not always a good thing. It depends on your motivations. Is the motivation to be noticed and publically pronounced a good and kind person?

"Everything they do is done for men to see…For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:5, 12 NIV

Is the motivation to give yourself a warm fuzzy? If your bucket of self-esteem is low, do you find someone to help so you can convince yourself that you are a good person?

“Instead, it [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” 1 Peter 3:4 NIV

So, when God gives you a task to help another Christian realize that they are exhibiting sinful behaviors even though by the world’s standards they may be applauded, you must follow God’s direction with sensitivity and kindness—with love.

Lord, give me wisdom in this area. It is so difficult to confront a sister in Christ about a sin. Give me the right words and the right timing. Keep my ego and my self-direction out of any encounter you are calling me to make for the purpose of revealing sin.