Titus 3:10-11Common English Bible (CEB)

10 After a first and second warning, have nothing more to do with a person who causes conflict, 11 because you know that someone like this is twisted and sinful—so they condemn themselves.

Many of us have confused Matthew 18:21-22 with the above scripture.

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

They are different.

Yes we should all forgive as many times as we are asked and twice as many times when the person isn’t sorry. Titus 3 is so freeing for me. I can forgive you but I don’t have to deal with you.

Have you ever been on the other end of a negative conversation? One where the converser is belittling everything and everybody? Exhausting, right?

When you see them they have something negative to say about any and everything. What they are looking for is a co-signer on their misery. Being polite and just listening makes it worse. Trying to change the conversation proves pointless. These people can find something negative to say about the beach with 73 degree weather. To a troublemaker; it should’ve been 74 degrees.

Praise God for Titus 3 and the 3 strike rule. I can love you from a distance. I can still pray for you, I can even be in the same room with you, but I don’t have be subjected to your messy ways.

Take inventory on who we are allowing to monopolize out conversations. Are the people you hang around known troublemakers? Have you warned them to “get somewhere and settle down?”

Are they on strike 1, 2 or 3?

Understand that we can’t help everyone. We can love, bless, pray, and be kind to everyone; but not change anyone.

I am being the umpire of my own life. I am calling the strikes.

I don’t have the luxury of being involved in your drama. I need a blessing from the Lord and you are keeping me from my home run. I love you, but this game is officially over.