To sue or not to sue . . . .

 

Last week, we posed a question . . . what is the believer supposed to do about lawsuits, court cases, and all of that? Are we allowed to sue someone who harms us? Aren't we allowed to stand up for ourselves against false charges, and things like that?

I thought I would add my two cents worth. I guess it's worth more than two cents, since it is based on God's Word, right? (Grin)

Scripture makes it clear that believers in Christ should not be suing one another. Let's look at what Paul tells us in I Corinthians:

If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers! (I Corinthians 6:1-6)

There are better ways to handle disputes among our Christian brothers and sisters! Mediation or arbitration through the church (or even a professional arbiter if the last resort) offer paths to reconciliation. These seem far more compatible with the principles that Jesus lays down in Matthew:

 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)

God is honored when Christians who earnestly desire to seek His will can sit down together and work out their differences in a respectful and peaceable manner.

What about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? Well, the easiest answer would be that if you are the one being sued, you certainly have the right (and probably the obligation) to defend yourself through the legal system. Of course, if a fellow-Christian is suing you, it's really preferable to work out something like arbitration, as we said above. But if you are sued by a non-Christian, you many not have an opportunity to seek reconciliation anywhere else but in the courthouse. And there is nothing in Scripture that forbids you from defending yourself in that situation.

Now, even though I put that out there in black and white, we are still not free from our obligation to reflect the love of Christ, and especially to unbelievers. We still are commanded to love our enemies. We should do all we can to try to resolve the issue without going to court. We need to remember to handle things with grace, patience, and self-control. And don't forget to pray. If there is any sinful attitude within us, whether pride, arrogance, spite, or whatever, we need to repent and turn away from these attitudes before we ever walk in that courtroom!

It's comforting if we find ourselves in this situation, to read Romans 13:1-3:

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.  (Romans 13:1-4a)

Are we troubled that the ruling authorities (in this case, a judge) will not have our best interests in mind? God is still ruling. He is on His throne and will sovereignly use that judge to bring about His will. 
We also need to trust that our just Father God will bring justice. Psalm 37 promised us that will happen.

We can also pray for the Spirit to help us in court, to show a Christ-like attitude. God will be glorified by a godly, humble attitude, no matter what the outcome of the case may be. It's more important to be a witness for the Lord than to win our case.

Lastly, we can pray for the salvation of the unbeliever -- the best perspective to walk in with is an eternal one. When a non-Christian is suing us, if we feel a burden for his soul instead of for the case, we have displayed Christ to all who see us.

It's a unique situation. 

But these days, it seems that people want to sue others at the "drop of a hat." 

So we may find ourselves facing this sooner than we think. Let's pray that the Lord will give us strength, grace, and clarity for the days to come.