Our ability to live in loving harmony is enabled by God’s gift of patient endurance. Since we all make mistakes, let’s learn how to allow each other to make mistakes and live in peace.

Revised: Thursday, January 11, 2024

Live in Harmony; Allow Each Other To Make Mistakes!

STM Bible Lesson

Lesson focus: Colossians 3:13 and Ecclesiastes 7:20. Bible lesson background Colossians 3:12-17 and Ecclesiastes 7:20-22: In life, we will face many problems we must overcome. One of our greatest challenges is dealing with imperfect people. It is important to remember, that no one is perfect, so we must learn to tolerate each other.

Colossians 3:13 [read Colossians 3:12-17 (13)]: Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. (NIRV); KJV: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 [read Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 (20)]: Remember: there’s no one on earth so righteous as to do good only and never make a mistake. (CEB); KJV: For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

You can live in unity

It is possible to live in harmony each day! No matter what others believe, to whom they pray, or how they worship. Our focus in this study is solely on what you do. In Mark 11:25, Jesus says, if you have a complaint, an issue, anger, something or anything against anyone, forgive. Take responsibility, take ownership, and forgive them; it may be difficult, but forgive them. If you want forgiveness from God, forgive others.
Psalms 133:1-3 [read Psalms 133:1-3]: How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. (NLT); KJV: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

With patient endurance

Hebrews 10:36 [read Hebrews 10:26-39 (36)]: Certainly you need patient endurance so that, after you do God’s will, you may receive what was promised. (EHV); KJV: For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

We Can Live in Harmony!

Mark 11:25-26 [read Mark 11:20-26 (25-26)]: When you are praying, and you remember that you are angry with another person about something, then forgive him. If you do this, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins.” 26 [But if you don’t forgive other people, then your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.] (ICB); KJV: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought^G5100 against^G2596 any^G5100: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Tis – ought; any: G5100 τίς tis (tis’) p/i. 1. some or any person or object; anyone; anything. 2. a certain one, someone, anyone. 3. some or any person or object: – a (kind {of}) any ({man} {thing} thing at {all}) certain ({thing}) {divers} he (every) {man} one (X {thing}) {ought} + {partly} some ({man} {-body} {-thing} {-what}) (+ that no-) {thing} what ({-soever}) X {wherewith} whom {[-soever]} whose ([-soever]). Matthew 5:23.
Kata – against: G2596 κατά kata (ka-ta’) prep. against (properly, down upon; after verbs of accusing, etc.)

If you have an unresolved issue (KJV: ought) with anyone, fix it! Why be angry? Why hold grudges? And why not work it out so you can live in harmony with each other? Living in harmony is pleasant; it is precious and refreshing.

From the Book of Sirach:

My whole being takes pleasure in three things, and these are beautiful to the Lord and to human beings:

1. Harmony among brothers and sisters.

2. Friendship among neighbors.

3. A wife and husband who adapt to each other.

My whole being despises three types of persons, and I am angered by the way they live:

1. An arrogant poor person.

2. A rich liar.

3. An old adulterer who never learns.

Jealousy and selfishness destroys harmony

James 3:13-16 [read James 3:13-18 (13-16)]: If anyone among you is wise and understanding, they should show it by living a good life and doing things with the humility that comes from being wise. 14 But if you have bitterness, jealousy, and selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t be proud and pretend you’ve got the truth. 15 “Wisdom” like that doesn’t come down from above. It’s earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, 16 because wherever there’s jealousy and selfish ambition, there will also be chaos and all kinds of bad activity. (RAD); KJV: Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Godly wisdom brings peace

James 3:17-18 [read James 3:13-18 (17-18)]: However, wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, and it also brings peace. It is kind and open to reason. It is full of mercy and produces good things. (And) It is genuine and not hypocritical. 18 Those who sow peace will harvest the peace of what is truly good and right. (FBV); KJV: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Allow each other to make mistakes

Ephesians 4:31-32 [read Ephesians 4:25-32 (31-32)]: Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. (ICB); KJV: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

You should do your best to live in harmony with other believers. Do what you must and live in agreement with others. If the Holy Spirit reminds you of someone who has something against you, do not delay or hesitate to go to that person and resolve the matter; do not wait.

Live in peace

Be willing to listen before taking action.
James 1:19-20 [read James 1:19-20]: Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. 20 An angry person doesn’t do what God approves of. (GW); KJV: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Romans 12:17-18 [read Romans 12:9-21 (17-18)]: When people do wrong things to you, do not do wrong things to them also. But try to do good things for all people. 18 As much as you can, live in peace with everyone. (WE); KJV: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Do all you can to maintain peace

Hebrews 12:14-15 [read Hebrews 12:14-15 (14-15)]: Do everything that you can to live in peace with other people. Make yourself separate from bad things. Nobody will see the Lord unless their life is good and clean (holy). 15 Remember that God is very kind. Nobody should refuse to let God help them. Make sure that nobody among you causes trouble so that people turn against God. A person who is angry against God is like poison. He spoils many other people’s lives so that God does not accept them. (EASY); KJV: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Forgiveness and Dealing with Conflict to Restore Harmony

Of course, there are many ways to deal with conflict. Here are two:

Try forgiveness first

Luke 17:3-4 [read Luke 17:1-4 (3-4)]: Pay attention to yourselves! “If your brother sins, rebuke him [i.e., show him where he is wrong in hope of effecting a change]; and if he repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day and [then] comes to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you should forgive him.” (AUV); KJV: Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

When Someone Sins Against You

Matthew 18:15-17 [read Matthew 18:15-20 (15-17)]: “If your brother or sister sins against you, go to them. Tell them what they did wrong. Keep it between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them back. 16 But what if they won’t listen to you? Then take one or two others with you. Scripture says, ‘Every matter must be proved by the words of two or three witnesses.’ (Deuteronomy 19:15) 17 But what if they also refuse to listen to the witnesses? Then tell it to the church. And what if they refuse to listen even to the church? Then don’t treat them as a brother or sister. Treat them as you would treat an ungodly person or a tax collector. (NIRV); KJV: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Dealing with conflict is a one-to-four-step process. This summarizes what Jesus said according to Matthew:

First of all, keep it private; just between you and the other person.
If that does not work, take 1 or 2 others with you to discuss the matter with the other person.
Lastly, involve the congregation in an attempt to fix the issue.
When all else fails, end your friendship or association with the person.

Remember, we all make many mistakes

James 3:2 [read James 3:1-12 (2)]: Dear brothers, don’t be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others. If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way. (TLB); KJV: For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

As I close this Bible lesson please meditate on this:

Stay encouraged and put up with each other, we all make mistakes.
Do your best to resolve issues, disagreements, and differences of opinion between each other quickly. Make peace and remain friends.
Be happy, of good comfort, and joyful. Don’t say mean things to, about, or judge others.
Desire good things for those who hurt you. Share the experiences (be empathetic) of others.

Live in unity and peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, loving each other as a family in accord with Christ Jesus. Be of one mind in the Spirit. Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺