It’s a beautiful day to be a neighbor.
Today’s Family Wins devotional reflects on Philemon 9-10 — “I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love… I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”
Tact has been called the ability to arrange awkward truth attractively. Paul faced a hard test of it. Onesimus was a runaway slave, and Paul’s short letter had to reconcile him with his master, Philemon. Albert Barnes points out how carefully Paul chose his words. Had Paul simply written, “I appeal to you for your servant Onesimus,” Philemon would have remembered the runaway’s ingratitude and disobedience. Instead, Paul called him “my son.” He reached Philemon’s heart before Philemon ever read the name. By the time the name appeared, Onesimus was no longer a disobedient servant. He was a man converted through the work of Philemon’s own friend in prison. Who could refuse that request? Tact like that lowers friction and opens the door to real conversation. It matters in your marriage, with your kids, and with the neighbor who rubs you the wrong way. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Let your conversation be always full of grace (Colossians 4:6).
After you listen, go back and read the whole book of Philemon for yourself. It’s only a page and a half, starting on page 743 of your devotional. You can also pull up the app or grab your free copy at mindwolves.com/tfw. Let God speak to you directly, in your own time, in your own home.
A godly husband isn’t made in a day. Neither is a godly wife, a godly father, or a godly mother. They’re made in moments like this one — one verse, one choice, one day at a time.
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Grace and peace to you and your home.