25 November 2018
Two-Minute Features | 02 December 2018 | 18 November 2018

Self-Control is Good for Us & Helps Us (TMF:1030)

Friday, November 30, 2018
Peace to Live By: Self-Control is Good for Us & Helps Us (TMF:1030) - Daniel Litton
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       The final Fruit of the Spirit is self-control. As Christians, we have to live within limits in order to have a good walk with God, and to live good, successful lives. If we don’t follow God’s Word in our actions, we are going to reap negative consequences. Indeed, God’s Word is central to our behaviors. We can either learn the easy way or the hard way when it comes to self-control. When we don’t exercise self-control in a certain area of our lives, sometimes we find ourselves in trouble and we learn what we should have been doing, the way we should have been acting, in a negative, hard way. Sometimes God has to allow trouble to enter our lives because we won’t listen to his easy, simple nudges. When we have closed our hearts to hearing him in a certain area, often he has no choice but to permit difficulty to come. This is the only way he can get us to grow into becoming more like Jesus.

There is a Time for Public Rebuke (TMF:1029)

Thursday, November 29, 2018
Peace to Live By: There is a Time for Public Rebuke (TMF:1029) - Daniel Litton
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       Paul said to the Corinthians, “What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” (1 Corinthians 4:21, ESV). You see, there is a time and a place for everything. There is a time for harder teachings, and even a time for public rebuke or correction. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees by declaring his ‘woes’ against them. And he rebuked churches in Revelation. Stephen bore strong witness against the Israelites, against unbelievers, in Acts 7. There is a time for this kind of language, especially in public speech like for Christian leaders and teachers. We are to be like Christ, and if Jesus did it, there are going to be times we have to do it. But we should be as gentle as possible, but at the same time not water down the truth for the sake of gentleness. Indeed, gentleness is important, but so is speaking and keeping the truth of God’s Word. God’s leaders are to be “kind to everyone… patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24, 25, ESV). We should not, by this verse, block out other teachings and examples from Scripture.

Showing Gentleness in Witnessing, Part 2 (TMF:1028)

Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Peace to Live By: Showing Gentleness in Witnessing, Part 2 (TMF:1028) - Daniel Litton
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       You should not just be throwing the truth at them and then walking away. But when relationships are developed, it makes it easier for the person to listen to you. Now, it is easy to lose your gentleness if you become angry, or get into a heated conversation when we are witnessing, or in our conversations in general with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The more words you are saying, the more points you are trying to make, the more careful you need to be. We are not just to try to win the argument with our speech at all costs. We must maintain a respectful attitude toward the other person in a one-on-one argument or debate. Proverbs 15:4 states, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (ESV). When we remain gentle, we have a greater possibility of winning the person over to our side. So, we must never let the heat of the moment allow us to lose our gentleness. Otherwise, we just leave the other person with a broken spirit. But, in the same breath, gentleness does not mean we are never straightforward and direct in our approach with people.

Showing Gentleness in Witnessing, Part 1 (TMF:1027)

Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Peace to Live By: Showing Gentleness in Witnessing, Part 1 (TMF:1027) - Daniel Litton
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       In one-on-one witnessing with others, again, we should show a spirit of gentleness. Let’s consider a passage found in 1 Peter 3: “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness 'sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:13-17, ESV). So, we should seek to be as gentle as we can, while clearly expressing the truth, and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in conversations with others. Really, when witnessing to someone, if you are not already friends, think of it as making a new friend. That’s the point; you want to develop a relationship with the person.

Showing Gentleness Toward A Fallen Person (TMF:1026)

Monday, November 26, 2018
Peace to Live By: Showing Gentleness Toward A Fallen Person (TMF:1026) - Daniel Litton
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       Now, it should be noted that we are to restore a repentant brother or sister in a spirit of gentleness when he or she is caught in a sin. Paul stated the following on this matter: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1, 2, ESV). So, when another person within our fellowship of Christians is overcome by a sin, we are not to rain condemnation down on the person and act like we are far superior in our own personal behavior. As Paul said, “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” There is a possibility, if we are not careful, that we ourselves could fall into the same sin. By restoring the person who has sinned, we bear one another’s burdens. We make the restoration a group effort, and it allows the person to feel accepted again and restored to God. This, in turn, makes God happy. As Paul told Timothy, we are to pursue gentleness in our lives and character (see 1 Timothy 6:11, ESV).