The Joys of Confrontation.

CONFRONTATION.

Most people will do just about ANYTHING to avoid it. Years ago my friend Brian Cagle preached a message and made this statement –

“Love is not the absence of confrontation.”

Now I’ve forgot more sermons than I can count, but there have been a few like that one that stuck in my heart like an arrow. Healthy confrontation has the potential to free us from the chains of living beneath our Spirit filled life. When we take a look at Scripture we see that God is a confrontational God –

• He confronted nothing with creation.
• He confronted darkness with light.
• He confronted the devil with Job.
• He confronted Jericho with Joshua.
• He confronted Jonah with a storm and a fish (definitely a Megalodon).
• He confronted Goliath with David.
• He confronted David with Nathan.
• He confronted Peter with the truth.
• He confronted sin with the cross.
• He confronted Paul with blindness.

Now God is love, and God uses confrontation therefore Godly confrontation is an expression of love. Jesus perfectly represented His Father while on earth and He confronted people on a fairly regular basis when it was in their best interest.

Here are some quick thoughts about Godly confrontation.

1. The key word is Godly. Have his heart for the person and the situation.
2. Make sure it’s a two-way street. If you can’t receive it then you probably aren’t ready to share it. Remember Jesus said something about a log and a speck. (Matthew 7:5)
3. Focus more on their potential than the problem. This is not about getting something off of your chest but rather helping to lift someone else up.
4. Pray, pray and pray some more. It takes the right timing, tone and touch to effect lasting change. If the Holy Spirit isn’t convicting there is a good chance you will only bring condemnation. After all where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM! (2 Corinthians 3:17)

“An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” - Proverbs 27:5-6 NLT