KEY SCRIPTURE: John 7:51 KJV “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?”

Tactfulness is showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others. The Pharisees had reached a level in their fury against Jesus such that nothing but his death was their desire. Nicodemus, a disciple of Jesus, wanted to find the most reasonable way to talk for Jesus such that the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees would tone down on the decision to have Jesus killed. He used the approach of asking a probing question to stir their pure minds to resign their action. He asked the following question, John 7:51 KJV, Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? Nicodemus had to speak in such a way that he would have made his point for Jesus and also not to attract the fury of the Pharisees. There is a time for everything, as the preacher says in Ecclesiastes 3.

The scriptures is full of instances where some had to act tactfully. When the Lord asked Samuel to go to Jesse’s House and anoint a king for Israel. He acted tactfully. (1st Samuel 16:2&3) He announced he came to worship. He then went on to do the anointing of David. King Saul, had no hint of it, and everything went on without his knowledge or awareness. In Matt 10:16 the Lord said He is sending us as sheep in the midst of wolves and they should be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. Serpents are extremely wise but very deadly. Doves are extremely harmless yet not so wise. The Lord is asking the church to live in this world in a very tactful manner.

We are witnesses of our Lord Jesus and must approach this call with a great sense of affability. A sister was asked by her pastor to start a cell group. One of the people she contacted to join the cell said she was very busy and had no time. The sister remarked that, her cell was actually for people who had no time. The sister eventually became a member of her cell. The Holy Spirit is ever present to help us act tactfully towards all persons.

Ask the Spirit to help you be moderate towards all persons.

CONFESSION

Thank you, father, for the Holy Spirit who leads me in all I do. I treat all persons very moderately. The love of God in me overflows to all persons such that I have a very cordial relationship to all.

THOUGHT: A HEART OF LOVE IS ALWAYS MODERATE TOWARDS ALL

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 4:5 KJV” Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

Matthew 10:16 KJV” Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”