When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:1, 7- NLT
I have always thought our society is too litigious – people suing each other left and right. I always wondered why adults could not work out their problems one on one. The irony of it all is I later became a litigator and observed how adults often rely on the court system to get their just due.
Fast forward many years later, and I found myself in a situation where I wanted to seek legal recourse for some monies owed. And if you’re wondering…Yes, the person is a believer. Yes, I have documentation of the agreement. Yes, I have asked the person to pay even if on a payment plan. And yes, the person appears to have the capacity to pay because they’ve taken trips to Florida, attended galas, and also bought a brand new living room couch set. All the while I have not seen a dime. Can’t you see why I would want to go to court?!?
Meanwhile, as I’m contemplating a lawsuit, I was also attending a weekly Bible study in the fall of 2018 focused on Greg Ogden’s text The Essential Commandment: A Disciple’s Guide to Loving God and Others. Ogden summarizes Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 by stating how Paul “considers this [lawsuits in government courts] shameful and urges them [the believers in Corinth] to settle matters internally and even allow themselves to be wronged.” Ouch!
It was one of those moments when I had to say, “Alright God, I hear you talking.” To be clear, this was probably the third confirmation in six weeks to not bring the matter to court. The last time I asked for a repayment plan and got no response, I told myself I’d let it go. But, I started to think about it again and became upset. So, I sought counsel from someone I had just met that I felt like God was leading me to confide in about this matter and seek advice. At first, she was team lawsuit, but by the end of our conversation, she encouraged me to forego the suit. That tied me over for about a week or so, and literally the morning I completed this chapter I had just asked God another time what to do in the matter (as if He did not already tell me two times what to do!!!).
The Bible makes it clear that when it comes to disputes it is better just to be wronged instead of fighting for what is legally yours. If you do have a grievance with a fellow brother or sister in Christ, try resolving the conflict utilizing the guidelines in Matthew 18. It’s better to be wronged than to show disunity among believers. Taking the loss is for God’s glory. Let God be the one to advocate on your behalf and restore you in His time.
Reflection
Do you have a dispute with another believer that God wants you to approach differently? How can you apply Matthew 18 or 1 Corinthians 6 to your situation?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the opportunity to be in community with others. Forgive me of the times I approached conflict in a way that did not honor You. Use me as a vessel to be a model of conflict resolution with others, especially fellow believers. Teach me to honor You when trust is broken. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash
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