Matthew 18:1517

1
Matthew 1815-17
Between youand him alone
See how great a forest is set aflameby such a
small fire! James 35
2
Instructions for handling sin against you
Matthew 1815-17

• Deal with it privately
• Only if necessary, involve other people
• Involve the church if you have exhausted all
  other options

3
Prohibits indirect confrontation
Matthew 1815-17

• No passage allows an exception to this rule.
• Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to
  do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
  James 417

4
Prohibits indirect confrontation
Matthew 1815-17

• Usually, third parties make the problem worse,
  not better.
• Like one who takes a dog by the ears, is he who
  passes by and meddles with strife not belonging
  to him. Proverbs 2617

5
Prohibits indirect confrontation
Matthew 1815-17

• Negatives get exaggerated when heard out of
  context
• If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, all his
  ministers become wicked. Proverbs 2912
• Theres no right wayto do the wrong thing!

6
Prevents Gossip
Matthew 1815-17

• Gossip is enticing
• The words of a whisperer are like dainty
  morsels, and they go down into the innermost
  parts of the body. Prov. 188
• A brother who bears all things, believes all
  things, hopes all things, endures all things (1
  Cor. 137) wont want to give himself a chance to
  think ill of another.

7
Prevents Gossip
Matthew 1815-17

• Providing a forum for gossip encourages gossip
• For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where
  there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
  Proverbs 2620
• Truth is often best hidden
• A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart
  of fools proclaims folly. Prov. 1223

8
Promotes Reconciliation
Matthew 1815-17

• We should want solutions, not audiences
• A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer
  separates intimate friends. Proverbs
  1628
• Any solution that avoids bringing the two
  estranged parties together, face to face, is
  unscriptural and cannot possibly succeed!

9
What should you do?
If one tells you their problems with a 3rd party

• Tell them to go to that person instead
• If they dont want to do that
• Tell them they must not speak of it again
• If they continue to bring it up
• Tell them you wont be a party to gossip, and
  warn them against backbiting and sowing discord
  among brethren.

10
See how great a forest is set aflameby such a
small fire! James 35
11
Have You Obeyed The Gospel?
Hear The Gospel (Rom. 1017) Believe That Jesus
is the Son of God (Acts 837) Repent of Your
Sins (Acts 238) Confess That Jesus is the Son
of God (Acts 837) Be Baptized for the
Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 238) Live Faithfully
Until You Die (Rev. 210)