Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.
(1 Corinthians 6:7-8, NASB)
Today’s verses continue Paul’s exhortation against Christians bringing lawsuits against each other.
And he asks a couple of questions that remind me of how we’re to be humble and “esteem others better than” ourselves (Phil. 2:3, NKJV). If we’re focusing on the welfare of others, looking out for the “interests of others” (v. 4), then we won’t consider taking them to court. We would rather “be wronged” or “be defrauded” than to jeopardize any relationship with a brother or sister.
It’s quite true. Taking someone to court and suing them stems from their having done something to us, usually harming our property. We’re such a litigious society that suing someone—for even the most minor perceived infraction—is often the first response.
Yet if we really considered the other side, if we looked at the motives of our brother or sister, we’d probably find out that he or she was not, in any way, acting maliciously or hurtful.
And even if he or she was? We still should have a personal discussion to resolve the situation rather than dragging that brother or sister into court.
It all comes down to that second greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31, NKJV).
That’s Jesus speaking, by the way. And somehow, I don't see Jesus ever dragging anyone into court ... even those of us who have wronged Him by our sin.
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