Believers are obliged to judge one another’s words and actions charitably, and this is particularly important in situations of conflict. This article identifies the roots of critical judgments, and lays out the biblical teaching about the way we ought to think of and respond to others, including those who may have done wrong in the past.
This article identifies the various ways people tend to respond to conflict, and applies the principles of the gospel to conflict resolution.
This brief article identifies the four commitments believers make when they forgive one another.
As the conclusion to the series, this article holds out the restoration that God in Christ can bring to relationships broken by judgmentalism. Sande gives practical insight on what personal sanctification in this matter of judging might look like. He also speaks of the "expectant charity" we can hold toward someone who has done wrong in the past, as we can expect to observe increasing evidence of God's grace in our own lives and theirs.
In this second article, Sande notes that there are limits to making charitable judgments. In such cases—where further investigation may be needed—the goal of treating the neighbour with love still remains (per the ninth commandment). To that end, the author helps us get at the root of critical judgments, alerting us to three ways we judge that are destructive and costly to relationships.
What tendencies do you have in the judgments you make about others? In this first of a three-part series, Ken Sande reflects on judging by way of passages such as Matthew 7:1–6 and 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, with a view to offering practical suggestions on how to make godly, charitable judgments about others.
How do you make peace in a biblical way? This article points to principles for peacemaking and it calls the believer to live by them. Peacemaking starts by seeing conflict as an opportunity for good.
