How to Treat Others Part III

We are looking at four more groups of people today:

People in Authority

Neighbors

Enemies

Ourselves

Leaders keep certain information secret until we need to know it. Just like God keeps some of His wisdom hidden until he wants us to know it.

Proverbs 2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

Proverbs 5- Removal of the wicked in government and the leaders there will be established through righteousness.

Read Luke 14: 7-10

A powerful leader standing on truth should use kindness and gentleness, not loud words.

I. Although Powerful Peaple are Limited, They Can Become Wise. They Should be Treated With respect.

We need to listen to our leaders, even if we don’t agree with them.

As for neighbors, don’t use other peoples words unless you have permission. Resolve conflicts fairly with your neighbors.

The right words spoken at the right time are like the best fruit or the finest jewelry. True, well-spoken words are like a cold, refreshing drink!

Pastor John brought up Charlie Kirk (cause how could he not) and marveled at how many non-secular people he had reached. He was a truth teller, he never breathed fire, always chose appropriate words to prove his point, and always was kind, even when frustrated by non-believers. He thinks in the aftermath, we will see many more like him. I can only pray for that!

14. Someone who boasts but never delivers is like clouds and wind without rain.

17. Don’t wear out your welcome with your neighbors. Remember, guests and fish start stinking after three days.

Don’t lie to your neighbor, it only causes pain.

II. We Should Treat Our Neighbors With Consideration and Kindness. (25: 9-14)

Return good for evil. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, so he knew a thing or two about human beings and their nature. Women want to be adored and men want to be admired. Women might nag, and men might run away. So he writes, “ Better to live in the corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” (24)

21, 22 “If your enemy is hungry give him food, and if he’s thirsty, give him a drink. In doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you.”

In dealing with ourselves, we must work intentionally to maintain self-control. Can you imagine how much self-control it took for Charlie Kirk to treat even his haters with kindness? That is how we need to be. I hope more like him will rise up and keep the movement of being a kind Christian forward.

III. Treat our enemies without Malice and Ourselves with Maturity.

In Galatians it says “Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

We are desperately dependent on God for transformation. We must recognize that we are sinners first, then walk in the Spirit for change.

One final note to add. I did not know or listen to Charlie Kirk, but since he was executed (because that’s what happened) -ok, assassinated, I have been watching many of his speeches and meetings with college-aged kids. I’m proud of the success he had in reaching millions and I now feel the pain of the loss of such a great man. Please pray for his family. 🙏