by Annagail Lynes

Created on: May 18, 2008   Last Updated: May 19, 2008

When should you confront? Most Believers, who are living the Christian life, are taught that they are to be meek and mild all the time like Ned Flanders on the Simpsons.

Let's say you are that way with your daughter. You find drugs under her bed. You go to her and say, "I found these drugs in your room. Your Dad and I would prefer you wouldn't do drugs, but the choice is yours. Whatever you decide, we will stand behind you."

Then fourteen years later, you wonder why your daughter is a prostitute on the streets, trying to make enough money to score a hit...or worse, she's dead of an overdose.

Drugs are not something to play around with. They kill just as much as a loaded gun.

You have to confront. I know that is not the nice, sweet, so-called Christian answer, but it is the truth.

Did you ever see Jesus coward down? No. When the Pharisees tried to trap Him by bringing the adulterous woman to Him, He told them, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

When the money-changers bought and sold in the temple, a holy anger came on Jesus, and He turned the tables over and chased them out with a whip.

Time after time, you see Jesus confronting people from the temple leaders to the Pharisees to His own disciples.

The difference between Jesus and humans is that He knew when to confront. People either confront too much or too little. As a result, things become chaotic in their lives, homes and families.

Let's say your friend's husband is cheating on her. Do you tell her? Shouldn't you tell her what you know even if it might hurt her?

Even when it comes to the law, if you know something about a crime and don't come forward, you can be charged as an accessory to the crime.

If a crime has been committed, someone has been hurt financially, physically or mentally, because there are no victimless crimes.

God shows mercy to those who don't deserve it, such as the adulterer, the murder, the armed robber, all of the human race. And you should extend the same courtesy, yes, but there is a time to extend mercy and a time to confront. The question is which is which.

If a person is hurting himself by excessive drinking, doing drugs, being promiscuous, then you could confront. If a person is hurting others by being a bully, being offensive, lying, you should confront. If anyone will be hurt, I believe a confrontation is necessary.

Is someone going to be hurt if you don't tell your friend that her boyfriend is cheating on her? Yes, your friend if she finds out. You, if she finds out

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