The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
1 Corinthians 6:7 NIV
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses a serious issue: believers taking one another to court. He delivers a powerful, direct challenge in 1 Corinthians 6:7. Paul’s words echo the teachings of Jesus. They offer a profound perspective on how we should handle conflict, an invitation to a Christ-like way to respond whether we’re cheated or wronged in any other way.
Jesus’s instructions in Luke 6:27-36 provide the framework for this radical approach. He calls us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. He tells us to pray for those who mistreat us. Jesus says we should turn the other cheek. We should give more than what is asked. He also says not to demand back what others take. This counter-cultural way of living reveals the heart of our heavenly Father. He shows kindness to the ungrateful and the wicked. He calls us to be merciful, just as He is. Paul recognised that the Corinthian believers had abandoned this path. They chose to fight in court rather than settle disputes amicably.
This call to suffer injustice is our calling. As Peter also writes in 1 Peter 2:21-23, we should follow Christ’s example. He suffered for us, enduring insults without retaliating. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, who judges justly. Jesus didn’t just teach this principle; He lived it. He knew that human court systems are flawed. He also knew that His life in God did not need defending. Therefore, He committed Himself to the Father and found His sufficiency and vindication in Him alone.
Therefore, anyone who refuses to walk this path proves they are not a true follower of Christ. When we choose to follow Jesus’s example, we confirm our identity as God’s children. This is about fulfilling God’s purpose and plan for our lives. It is not about seeking our own good or trying to defend ourselves.
Paul’s warning remains relevant today. Lawsuits among believers signal defeat. They prove the life of Christ is no longer reigning among them. As believers, the Christ-like way to resolve conflict is to follow His pattern. We should not drag one another before any human authority.
Living It Out
Take a moment to reflect on your response to conflict. When you feel cheated, do you instinctively seek to defend yourself, or do you entrust your situation to God? How can you apply Jesus’ example of suffering injustice in your life this week?