What Can We Do When We Discern Weakness?
/Below is an excerpt from my new book 'Leading Like Jesus'... To download from Amazon click here
"What can we do when we discern weakness or things that need attention in the lives of others, including our spouses, close friends, co-workers, or spiritual leaders?
See the good. Look for their potential and their calling from God. Ony when we appreciate their strengths can we properly evaluate their weaknesses.
Pray for them. Pray for God's love to fill your heart for them.
Make sure there is no unhealthy dependence on that person in you.
Forgive them if they have offended you.
If you are unsure about something that seems wrong or troubles you, don't ignore it. Ask kind, but probing questions.
Don't hesitate to ask help from godly counselors. They are there to help guide your responses
If you feel uncomfortable or uneasy about someone, pay attention to those feelings until you understand why they are there. This could be God's way of catching your attention. By paying heed to inner promptings, we grow in discernment and confidence in hearing the voice of God.
There are many wonderful ministries and movements in the Body of Christ, but not all share the same vision and values. Discernment allows you to distinguish the difference between those you are called to appreciate, and those you are called to closely associate with.
Don't gossip to others about your discernment of sin or character weakness in a person's life. If it is causing disunity, division, deception, or damage to others around them, first pray for God's love for the person, pray for their heart to be prepared, then go directly to the person and speak lovingly, but truthfully, about what you discern. Follow the steps of Matthew 18:15 - 20, "Go alone to the person, if they don't repent go with someone, and if there is no change, then go to their church leaders about the situation." "