Go Easy On Your Brother
“Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good
and who never sins” (Eccl 7:20, NASB).
Go easy on your brother, for he is human just like you,
Yes, a broken earthly vessel who is also struggling too.
You know as well as I do that the devil is on his tail,
And if you put the boot in, it’s more likely that he will fail.
Although he has acted wrongly, you should cut the man some slack,
For you know that every Christian Satan’s trying to attack.
It’s not easy to withstand the assaults that can come our way,
Along with those strong temptations that confront us every day.
You don’t know all that he’s been through, nor what makes him tick inside,
Or what currently he’s fighting, nor how hard he may have tried.
Plus, some of us are weaker, and succumb far more easily,
So, be careful how you go now, lest you treat him wrongfully.
No, I’m not condoning sin, for that’s not something we should do,
But how you treat offenders could reflect wrong that's within you.
Thus, the way you treat another who has fallen into sin,
Will either please our Master or just see the old devil grin.
Yes, think of how God bears with us, though we let Him down each day,
Whether accidentally or by choosing to disobey.
Thus, just like He does with us, we should bear with one another,
And why it is that I'm saying, go easy on your brother.
Yes, he may well need approaching, but please, do that carefully,
And do not be surprised, should he then respond most tearfully.
For sometimes people are wishing that their burden they could share,
So, though words may be needed, they will still need your loving care.
Thus, please don’t kick a man who’s down, even if it’s his own fault,
Nor harangue a back-sliding man, for that’ll hardly his slide halt.
But rather, cut that man some slack, and I’m sure that he’ll bounce back,
And you’ll have gained a brother, and helped that man get back on track.
By Lance Landall
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak...” (Rom 15:1, NIV).
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36).
Recommended reading - "Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded?" by Dwight L. Carlson, M.D.