Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.  But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”  He [Adam] answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:8-12

Defensive Distant Demanding

Defensive Open Distant Inviting Demanding Serve

Examine our own heart.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5

Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about”.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. Matthew 18:15 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about” Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about”. Pursue their healing not our innocence.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about” Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about”. Pursue their healing not our innocence.

James 1:19 Listen before you talk Philippians 2:3-4 Consider their perspective Proverbs 12:18 Tell the truth tactfully Proverbs 19:11 “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about” Examine our own heart. Talk “to” not “about”. Pursue their healing not our innocence.