Leslie Vernick
August 16th, 2016                                                                           
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  • Conquer Conference: Oct., 14th and 15th. Becoming The Best Possible You – Inside and Out. Join us for this amazing live event! CLICK HERE to get all the details and to register.
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Does Love Cover A Multitude Of Sin?

By Leslie Vernick
 

 

We often hear “Love covers a multitude of sins” which makes us hesitant to confront sin or implement consequences when we have been sinned against. The Bible does tell us, ‘It is good for us to overlook an offense’ (Proverbs 19:11). In addition, Jesus makes it clear. We are not to judge or condemn anyone (Matthew 7:1,2).  

 

God instructs all his followers to forbear with and forgive one another. We know we all fail one another (James 3:2), and we know that Jesus tells a person to take the log out of their own eye before attempting to deal with the speck in someone else’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5). To bring up each and every offense in any relationship would become tiresome indeed.  

 

Love does cover a multitude of sins but not all sins. Paul tells believers that we are to distance ourselves from those who claim to be believers yet live immoral and destructive lives (1 Corinthians 5:11). 

 

He instructs us to warn those who are lazy (1 Thessalonians 5:14), and that we ought not participate in unfruitful deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Paul also encourages believers to restore someone who is caught in a trespass (Galatians 6:1) and James exhorts us to bring a brother back who has wandered from the truth (James 5:19). When someone deeply offends us, Jesus says we’re to go talk with them so that our relationship can be repaired (Matthew 18:15-17).

 

Yes, we ought to forgive and forbear, overlooking minor offenses hoping others will do the same for us. And, we are to speak up when someone’s sin is hurting them, hurting others, or hurting us. Biblical love takes both paths. Godly wisdom helps us discern which path is needed for any particular situation.  

 

Serious and repetitive sin is lethal to any relationship. We would not love the destructive person if we kept quiet and colluded with his self-deception or enabled his sin to flourish without any attempt to speak truth into his life (Ephesians 4:15). 

 

Yes, we are called to be imitators of Christ and live a life of love, however, let’s not put a heavy burden on ourselves or someone else to do something that God himself does not do. God is gracious to the saint and unrepentant sinner alike, but he does not have close relationship with both. He says our sins separate us from him (Isaiah 59:2; Jeremiah 5:25). 

 

When someone repeatedly and seriously sins against us and is not willing to look at what he or she has done and is not willing to change, it is not possible to have a warm or close relationship even if we’re married to that person.  

 

We’ve misrepresented unconditional love sometimes to mean unconditional relationship. Jesus’ conversations with the Pharisee’s are examples of him challenging their self-deception and pride so they would repent and experience true fellowship with him (Matthew 23). He loved them, but they did not enjoy a loving or safe relationship. Jesus never pretended otherwise.  

 

Let’s not pretend or placate in relationships just to keep the peace. Jesus never did and he loved perfectly.

 

 

 
 
 
How Do I Stay Healthy In An Abusive Marriage?
 
 
Question: How do I stay healthy in an abusive marriage when no one will speak into my husband’s life?
 

Answer: This is an important question and I want you to listen very carefully. First, it is very difficult to stay healthy in a destructive marriage if you don’t take specific action steps. Second, you will never get healthy or stay healthy if you are dependent or waiting until your husband changes.

 

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m all for someone speaking into your husband’s life. It would be much easier if he would change and then you could feel better. But that’s not under your control. And, truthfully, it’s very likely that if someone did speak into your husband’s life, he still might choose not to change.

 

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IN THIS ISSUE
 
ARTICLE

Does Love Cover A Multitude Of Sin? 

 

COACHING 
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WHAT'S NEW? 
Take a look at the upcoming events to watch for from Leslie
 
GIVEAWAY
Song Of Silence
 
LESLIE ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION

How Do I Stay Healthy In An Abusive Marriage

 
 
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Coaching Programs

 
 
GIVEAWAY
Song Of Silence
by
Cynthia Ruchti

 

Charlie and Lucy Tuttle are committed to each other for life, but that life isn’t turning out quite like they expected. Charlie retired early, but Lucy planned to continue in her position as a music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school indefinitely.

 

And then the day came when she was forced to retire. Lucy was devoted to the program her father started years ago and now she can only watch as it disintegrates before her eyes. The longer she is separated from the passion of her heart, the more the music fades from her life and she wonders if her faith’s song is fading too. When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.

 

“This author is great at character development and does an excellent job of making sure every story she writes is different from the previous ones. This one moved steadily along and was interesting to read until about the last fifth of the book. Thanks!”

 

-Ruby

 

If you would like to enter to win, you can click here to provide your name and email address.
 
Winners of Dwelling Places by Lucinda Secrest McDowell are Jayne B. and Lisa B. 
 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 

August 23rd – 24th, 2016

The Village Church

Dallas, TX

 

September 15th, 2016

The Gatehouse

Dallas, TX

 

September 14th – 17th, 2016

AACC Marriage Conference

Intercontinental Dallas

Dallas, TX

 

October 1st – 2nd, 2016

Bethany Wesleyan Church

Cherryville, PA

 

October 14th – 15, 2016

Becoming the Best Possible

You – Both Inside and Out

Allentown, PA.

CLICK HERE to register.

 

 

 
 
HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT LESLIE'S WALKING IN CORE STRENGTH 
 

“The best thing about the group is the strength that being in the group provides. Not feeling alone or crazy is so empowering.

 

Listening to others situations and hearing the truth that you bring about relationships has been so helpful for my life. Thank you, I am grateful for being able to be part of this group.

 

 

Cathy Lewis

 

 

 
 
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