In Touch Devotional | Dr Charles Stanley

In Touch Daily Devotional 21 March 2023 —Handling Conflict and Criticism

In Touch Daily Devotional 21 March 2023 —Handling Conflict and Criticism

In Touch Daily Devotional 21 March 2023 —Handling Conflict and Criticism

DR CHARLES STANLEY 21ST MARCH 2023 TODAY’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Read and Meditate on Today’s In Touch Daily Devotional for 21 March 2023 Message written by Dr Charles Stanley. God bless you!


Today’s Topic: Handling Conflict and Criticism
Ask God to help you respond to conflict with Christ’s love, kindness, and wisdom.


Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

In Touch Devotional | DR CHARLES STANLEY 21 MARCH 2023 Message:

It is clear from today’s passage that Paul was no stranger to conflict—even conflict caused by members of the church. Some people were upset that he preached to the Gentiles rather than exclusively to Jews. They also didn’t like the fact that he taught salvation by grace and not law. And some people were teaching the message with a very different motivation from the apostle’s.

Notice how Paul responded: He was positive. The tenor of his letter is one of encouragement and resolve. He did not lash out at his critics; he did not defend himself. He defended the gospel, but he did so in love and without harshness. Paul was happy that the name and good news of Jesus Christ were being preached, regardless of whether the motive was sincerity or envy. He was so concerned for the souls of others that he responded out of selflessness rather than selfishness.

What’s amazing is that Paul wrote this encouraging letter during his confinement in a Roman jail, and the prison guards learned about the gospel from him. Your words and behavior can likewise reflect Christ to unbelievers you encounter. May God help you stay the course as Paul did—even when your situation may involve controversy and criticism.

Bible in One Year: Ruth 1-2

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