The phrase “dirty laundry” could refer to the bag a college student brings home, or it may mean a person’s private business—personal matters not to be discussed publicly. We can safely say that it’s not Christlike to air that kind of dirty laundry.
Yet Paul aired “dirty laundry,” and he did so in a highly public manner. In a letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote, “I said to Peter, . . . ‘Why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions’ ” (Galatians 2:14). He called Peter’s actions “hypocrisy” (Galatians 2:13).
Was Paul guilty of gossip? And what did Peter do? “When [Peter] first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised,” said Paul. “But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore” (Galatians 2:12).
Peter was practicing discrimination and dividing the church. And he gave the appearance of returning to the old customs of the law. Paul warned, “I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down” (Galatians 2:18).
As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was a prominent figure. His opinion about the behavior of other church leaders is vital to all of us. Peter too was a leader and was therefore subject to public scrutiny. Paul wasn’t gossiping; he was simply correcting a co-believer so that others would know and practice the truth of unity and freedom in Christ.
Gossip may be the most minimized sin this side of pride, yet it’s so easy to do. By contrast, what Paul did is difficult—confront a fellow Christian appropriately. As we prayerfully ask for guidance each day, may the Holy Spirit show us the difference between the two and give us wisdom to correct each other with a healthy blend of love and concern.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 28:8-15
More:
Read Ephesians 4:15 and consider what it means to share hard words with others in the right way.
Next:
When you need to confront someone, how do you react? By lashing out angrily? By gossiping? By avoiding it altogether? In love? How can you reflect God’s heart in your words?
gagirllive on September 29, 2016 at 5:33 am
Tim, I’m so thankful that these kind of examples are in scripture for us. Sometimes we exalt our first church leaders to “super-apostle” status and forget that they experienced and dealt with sinful attitudes and relationship conflicts just like we do. What transpired between Peter and Paul was no different than the confrontations we face and have to address as well. I guess today we would say Paul had to “call him out” on his hypocrisy. That’s not an easy or pleasant thing to do—for either party. But it is the right thing to do and the kind of accountability we’ve been called to keep in the body of Christ. I’ve been on both ends of that scenario, and it’s one that certainly needs a lot of grace coverage. No matter how much I’ve tried to wrap it up in love, confrontations haven’t always produced a good outcome for me. It has either changed the relationship in some way or ended it. I guess we just don’t like our sins exposed—by other sinners. Mature believers should almost welcome this though because it roots out wrong attitudes that can be a hindrance to others in their walk with Christ. And none of us wants to be a poor example or stumbling block to other believers. I have found that it takes a lot of prayer and discernment to know whether it should even be a matter of confrontation or not. Maybe it’s something that the Holy Spirit alone needs to deal with the person about. We certainly need to be careful not to usurp His position and authority. But when we get the go ahead from God, we’d better approach it with a great deal of love, gentleness, and humility—and hope and pray for the best! Such a good word of encouragement for us, Tim. Thank you. Grace and peace to all my fellow travelers.
tim gustafson on September 29, 2016 at 6:16 am
I’ve been on both ends of that too, and sometimes it’s felt really patronizing, and other times I knew I was being truly loved. Also, I don’t confront particularly well. I usually wait till I’m to angry to be reasonable, and that’s counterproductive too. I love how the Scriptures show us real human beings, learning how to follow Christ. Just like we are!
Gary Shultz on September 29, 2016 at 6:15 am
Hi Tim, I see GG is up and running well already this morning. I believe the confrontation was a good thing, not for confrontation itself, but because it was such a teachable moment. I really like how Paul brought it, he included Peter; however it was not an attack on Peter’s person, it went right to the core of the matter. Encapsulated in the problem at hand, which made for a very testy reversal of grace, Paul had to have been guided by the Spirit to do such a gripping job of correction blended into teaching. Some people don’t like confrontation, I lean a little more the other way; however, we do not often confront in grace, we confront as an affront and allow temperature to rise a bit. I’m not sure that is what makes a warm personality? But we get two lessons, grace trumps (no pun) law, and use confrontation as healing / teaching not dividing. Thanks Tim.
tim gustafson on September 29, 2016 at 6:19 am
“Grace trumps law” might be something to carry around with us today. 🙂 I think one of the most interesting aspects of this confrontation is its racial (I hate that word) element. Christ was doing something new with the Church — bringing us all together. Peter’s behavior was perpetuating the traditional divisions. Paul’s confrontation was crucial.
gagirllive on September 29, 2016 at 6:57 am
Thank you for pointing that out, Tim. Whenever I hear this passage of scripture taught, the emphasis is usually on the grace versus law aspect of Peter’s hypocrisy—not the fact that he was ashamed of hanging out with Gentiles. It’s as though no one wants to call out the blatant racism that existed in the early church that had to be addressed. The same goes for the account of Moses’ sister, Miriam, being struck with leprosy. I have heard all kinds of reasons for that one, but rarely the mention that she had a problem with him being married to an Ethiopian woman. My point? As uncomfortable as it may be, we need to call a spade a spade IN THE CHURCH if we are going to demonstrate to the world that the gospel demolishes every barrier erected by man. Can someone please tell me why Sunday morning is still the most segregated day of the week if this is true?
tim gustafson on September 29, 2016 at 7:18 am
Word! You express my sentiments exactly. Change — real change — seems so slow in coming. But it IS coming. The night before Jesus was crucified He prayed, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21). We’re still waiting for Jesus’s prayer to be fully answered, which is probably an entire book in itself! But He wants us to be so united that we reflect the unity He enjoys with His Father.
gagirllive on September 29, 2016 at 6:59 am
Yes, BWO. Today is one of those rare occasions. 🙂
sandy229 on September 29, 2016 at 10:20 am
So now all I can say is thank you Gary, Tim and GAgirl, you’ve all summed it up pretty well, there’s nothing more to say. Thank you all for your insights on this. 🙂
hsnpoor on September 29, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Well, hold on, Sandy…. I have a word or two I’d like to drop into the conversation. Hi everybody! I’ve been dealing with stuff and haven’t been keeping up for the last couple of weeks, but I’m yet holding on…. Tim, this devotion spoke to me on so many levels, I don’t know where to begin. Speaking the truth in love is not just 5 little words. It’s powerful and it’s difficult and fraught with all kinds of pitfalls and, Lord knows, I’m not the best at it. But, I do what I think is best and recognize and expect that God and His Spirit will work out the details and prepare the hearts of those on the receiving end. In this confrontation, I assume that Paul probably pulled Peter aside and had a little one-on-one BEFORE he aired the dirty laundry, as it were, as both were Godly men and surely knew what Jesus had to say on the subject of disagreements in the church in Matthew 18, don’t y’all think? I know for a fact (personal experience) that so much dysfunction in our churches today is a result of failure to follow the simple, straight-forward, 3-step method of conflict resolution taught by Jesus in Mt. 18 and oh what needless pain and suffering ensues because of that disobedience. Tim, I could do without that “R” word too, but what you gonna do? Don’t think the word will change, but I have hope that the hearts of people can and will change to turn the hard note in the word into a loving embrace for all who will. GG, as I’ve said before, if Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week, you couldn’t prove it in my church and I am utterly grateful and blessed to be a partner in such an amazing body of believers. I cannot imagine worshipping, on a regular basis, in any other kind of church environment and those who are partnered in churches where everyone looks like them is missing so, so much of the richness to be found in the diversity of Christ’s body. If they’re not jealous, they should be, because you know what? God didn’t save us to be comfortable and what better environment is there to step out of your comfort zone and really find yourself and others in Christ? Like I said, Sandy, just a word or two…
sandy229 on September 29, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Kim….I missed you. A word or 2 from you is always good 🙂 I have to agree with you about Sunday mornings because we too have an amazing body of believers, only about 200, maybe 3 but it is amazing. I have never been to a church like this before. The first time I went, I knew I was “home”. We also plant churches everywhere and have a lot of missions we support. There is much of the richness found in the body of Christ. We sing praise song’s Sunday morning with the P&W band, and Sunday nights, sing hymns. I am so blessed too to be a part of this body of Christ. Thanks for your words Kim 🙂
hsnpoor on September 29, 2016 at 4:12 pm
I’ve missed y’all too…..thought about everyone a lot and lifted a few prayers on your behalf. Hope you’re doing well, health-wise.
sandy229 on September 29, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Thanks Kim….I am doing somewhat better until I try to do to much. Thanks for your prayers 🙂
tim gustafson on September 29, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Yes, you really make an important point here. When Paul says that he confronted Peter, he likely did that in private. Then, when they understood (and still RESPECTED) each other, Paul could make the conflict and its resolution public. And we are all the beneficiaries for it.
And yes, I do know a church or two (or more) that are breaking down barriers and building bridges every day! God is doing something!
hsnpoor on September 29, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Amen, Tim! Yes, God is surely up to something and it’s exciting!
gagirllive on September 29, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Hey, Kim! Good to have you back. I was just about to go looking for you. 🙂 Great points you’ve made here about Paul’s confrontation with Peter. As for the comment directed to me…I, too, am part of a diverse church (although it’s probably not near as diverse as yours), and I’m grateful that we bear witness on some level to the unifying power of the Gospel. Sadly, I don’t think what you and I are experiencing is the norm though. The truth is It just ain’t happening in most churches. Sunday is still very segregated in many places, especially here in the south. We have to do better.
hsnpoor on September 29, 2016 at 6:18 pm
GG, not sure if we can ask these things, but I figure nothing like a failure, but a try…. do you attend Charles or Andy Stanley’s church? You’re right about there needing to be more multi-everything churches. There are quite a few in my neck of the woods, but as you say, there is definitely room for growth in that area. Folks can’t miss what they’ve never had and it really disturbs me that so many are missing the blessing and experience to be found in a muti-ethnic, generational, socio-economic, etc. congregation.
gagirllive on September 29, 2016 at 7:24 pm
No, ma’am. Those churches are a few hours away from me. Different demographic.
sim jing ying on September 29, 2016 at 1:29 pm
I’ll react gently and politely and I will say Godly phrases to encourage and that reflects a Godly heart.