Bible Questions Answered:
“I've got this neighbor who is
driving me and my wife crazy. His friends always park in our drive
way, he plays music so loud we can hear it in our house. Seems like
he has parties every other night. If that wasn't enough, his dog digs
up our lawn in back.....”
Bryan/ Columbus, Ohio U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
First of all.
Jesus talks about confronting those who
are not living right, and what we should do.
In this scripture Jesus was talking
about correcting wrongs within the church, but certainly this serves
as well as a guide in secular situations.
Matthew 18:15-17 NLT (Correction
needed.)
15 “If another believer sins
against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other
person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
(One on one.)
16 But if you are unsuccessful, take
one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you
say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. (Take with you, another affected neighbor.)
17 If the person still refuses to
listen, take your case to the church (In this case, civil
authorities). Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s
decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
And just how did our Lord teach us to
deal with enemies?
Christian Attitude Towards Those
Who Wrong Us:
*Bless
Them:
Matthew 5:44
KJV
But I say unto you...bless them that curse you,
Luke 6:28 KJV
Bless them that curse you..."
I Corinthians 4:12,13,20 KJV
12 "...We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those
who abuse us.
13 We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are
treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right
up to the present moment.
20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living
by God’s power.
*Do Good Unto Them;
Matthew 5:44
KJV
But I say unto you...do good to them that hate you..."
* Show
Kindness To Them:
Matthew 5:9
KJV
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children
of God.
Luke 6:35 KJV
"...be the children of The Highest: for He is kind unto the
unthankful and to the evil.
*Lend To
Them:
Luke 6:33-35 KJV
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have
ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank
have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 "...lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall
be great, and ye shall be the children of The Highest: for He is kind
unto the unthankful and to the evil.
*Love Them:
Matthew 5:44,45 KJV
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in
heaven..."
Luke 6:27,28 KJV
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to
them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you.
*Show Mercy:
Matthew 5:7 KJV
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Luke 6:36 KJV
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
*Pray For
Them:
Matthew 5:44 KJV
But I say unto you...pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;
Luke 6:28 KJV
"... pray for them which despitefully use you.
