The phrase came to me as my sister and I were talking on how to deal with people. Solomon asked God to give him an understanding heart on how to lead the people as king. Everyone should be praying this (especially us as believers), so that God will give us an understanding heart of how to deal with people.
Extend the same mercy that you want someone to give you. We have to be patient with each other. God had to be patient with us when we were in sin. Just because we received Jesus in our hearts doesn’t mean we will magically change. It takes time to uproot some old habits even as a believer in Jesus. I am constantly changing as I continue to read God’s word daily. Some bad habits take time to uproot.
Matthew 5:7 Easy Read: 7 Great blessings belong to those who show mercy to others. Mercy will be given to them.
Be led by the spirit of God when correcting someone. If the person rejects after God speaks to you to correct them, step back like Jesus, keep moving, and pray for them.
Galatians 6:1-2 Easy Read: Brothers and sisters, someone in your group might do something wrong. You who are following the Spirit should go to the one who is sinning. Help make that person right again, and do it in a gentle way. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin too. 2 Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you are obeying the law of Christ.
Matthew 10: 14 Easy Read Version : 14 And if the people in a home or a town refuse to welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place and shake the dust off your feet.
Agree to disagree. We are not going to agree on everything even as believers. However, we should not let it divide us. The world is watching us as believers. We should be at peace with all people as much as possible. (Romans 12:18). Believers can unite on core beliefs on salvation, Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, that we are saved by grace not by works, and the trinity of God. Any secondary beliefs that we do not agree on, we can still love each other and agree to disagree. Each person should be persuaded in their on hearts by the Holy Spirit of how to live a life for Jesus. Read Romans 14. It talks about people judging and arguing as believers on what they ate. It is not what is on the outside that will defile us, but it is what is on the inside. Because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Be the light and lead by example. We lead by love because faith works by love. People draw to the glory of God in our lives as believers when they can see miracles, signs, and wonders. People drew to Jesus because of it. Our testimony on how God saved us and how God is working in our lives has more impact than what we could ever say.
More people will be receptive to hear it, if you don’t kill their spirit!
Prayer: Thank you God for not giving up on me. Give me an understanding heart of how to deal with people and draw people closer to you. I repent for being impatient with people and not walking in love. Lord let your manifested glory flow in my life so people can see your good works and glorify you. In Jesus name! Amen.