Especially between Friends

What to do When...You have to speak up.

Speaking the truth, in love, is anything but easy. There are times in everyone's life when they need to confront a friend or family member; when they must tell them they are in the wrong. None of us wants a loved one to get into trouble they can't get out of. We want the best for our best friends and our family, but we are prone to get off the track occasionally.

We are not perfect, and we need those who love us, to have the courage to speak into our lives, to correct, confront and courageously care for us.  That is why accountability partners are vital. Relationships with people we trust to face us down when we need it, to step in front of that speeding bullet called gossip, that is heading directly for our lips.

One of the most memorable accountability moments I had, early in my Christian walk, was when a friend stopped herself in mid-sentence and said, "Oh, this is gossip, let's change the subject." That was a life-changing moment for me, it happened over 20 years ago, but I can still see it unfolding before me.

King David had that gift, in the form of his friend Nathan.  Nathan was brave enough to confront the king - even if the king was his friend. And King David appreciated Nathan's honesty and recognized it as love. So, the question is, do you have someone in your life who loves you enough to be honest with you, to challenge bad behavior, and to question your motives? If you do, you have a friend indeed!

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. (Matthew 18:15)

Matthew 18:15-17