THURSDAY 18TH AUG.,2016

TOPIC: SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
TEXT: Ephesians 4:15 “But,speaking the truth in love,may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head-Christ-…”

Even in a great relationship, you will have disagreements. That’s why you need to learn to fight fair. Paul addresses it this way: “… Speak the truth in love,growing in every way more and more like Christ…..”
If you grew up in a home filled with tension and angry words, you may find yourself trying to avoid arguments at any cost. Obviously, silence doesn’t solve problems; it just allow them to become unspoken wedges between you. What should you do? First, try to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict in your walk with other people. For instance, in an unstable marriage, hostility is aimed at your spouse’s soft underbelly with comments like, you never do anything right!’ Why did I marry you in the first place?’ You are getting more like your mother every day!’ The list can still go on. Such remarks strike at the very heart of your mates self-worth. Healthy conflict, by contrast, remains focused on the issues that cause disagreement. For example: ‘It upsets me when you don’t tell me you’re going to be late for dinner,’ or ‘l was embarrassed when you made me look foolish in the presence of your inlaws. Even though the approaches may be equally contentious, the first assault the dignity of your spouse while the second a addresses the source of conflict. When you learn to make this important distinction, you can work through your disagreements without wounding or insulting each other. Hence, when gaining the upper hand leaves your spouse feeling wounded and upset, you both lose. Remember; when someone feels loved and valued, they’re generally more open receptive to you have to say. Finally maintaining the unity of the faith must be based on an active love that seeks to resolve challenges and reconcile differences by mutual loyalty and obedience to Christ and His Word. Pray for more insight on how to reconcile differences.

MEDITATION: 2 Cor 4:2; 1 Cor 16:14

STUDY THE BIBLE
JN 4:1-26; 1CHR 15:1-16:6; ZEC 4

#DailyBreadOfLife
#2016iReign