Confronting Others
Acts 8:20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
It doesn’t seem that Peter had a problem with confronting others. In Acts 5 he confronts Ananias and Sapphira and they die and here in Acts 8 he confronts Simon the sorcerer. He didn’t “sugar coat” these confrontations either. Peter’s failures are recorded for us and so are these confrontations. He did not let his past stop him from confronting others when he was in the presence of sin. Neither should I.
I have to admit that I do not like confronting others. When I was a younger Christian I was overzealous with confronting others and I learned my lesson the hard way. Now that I have walked with the Lord for almost eleven years, I realize that when I point my finger at someone else there is usually three pointing back at me. Even so, there is a place for confronting others when it comes to blatant willful sin.
Lord Jesus, when you call me to confront others please help me to get over my fear and remember that Peter did not let his past stop him either. Help me to be loving, gentle, and tactful but also truthful. I know that it is only by your grace towards me that I am not struggling with those same sins.
Created over 2 years ago
