Tip: I’ve seen God help people who faced impossible legal battles and even multi-million dollar lawsuits. They came through with victory! But if you want victory, you have to get serious with God and learn how to apply God’s Word correctly.

When you face a legal battle or lawsuit, don't be afraid. It's an opportunity to trust God and watch God show Himself strong on your behalf. God knows the judicial system better than anybody else - He is both Judge and Advocate!

If you are actually guilty of wrongdoing, waste no time to repent before God, then accept the gift of acquittal through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. He was punished for you. Then go to human court humbly, knowing that you have been forgiven by God and His mercy was undeserved.

If on the other hand, you have been wrongly accused, you must also get on your knees and release that party. Jesus said, "Pray for your enemies." Yes, the world is full of injustice. It’s not God’s fault. It’s the result of living among sinners. Even someone perfect like Jesus was falsely accused, wrongly tried, and unjustly sentenced to death. Jesus understands your situation. Yet He forgave those who beat Him and crucified Him. You can win a case even before the court case starts, if you win it with God first. Walk in love because Jesus did.

If you are accusing someone of wrongdoing, you also have to forgive that person first. Christians sometimes wonder if they are allowed to go to court to rectify a matter that could not be solved outside of court. Understand this: going to court is not wrong, but hating someone is! Seeking justice on earth is not wrong, but seeking revenge is! You have to go to court with love. If you can stand before God with a clean and peaceful heart, God will be on your side. Just remember, on this earth there is not always perfect justice, but in Heaven there will be.

One more important note, Christians should not take Christians to court. Paul wrote, "When one of you has a complaint against another, does he dare to take the matter before those who are unrighteous and not before the saints? …one brother goes to court against another brother, and before unbelieving judges, at that! The very fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves is already a defeat for you. Why not rather just accept the wrong? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Cor 6:1-8 ISV)

Christians should settle matters Scripturally: first privately, then with two or three Christian witnesses if private communication doesn’t work, then in front of the whole church as a last resort. Few Christian practice Matthew 18 properly, that’s why they’re in unnecessary strife. Instead of confronting, they ignore a small problem until it becomes a big one. Instead of talking about the problem, go talk to the person directly and discreetly. You will find God’s grace is there when you do it God’s way.

When the Bible says Christians should not take Christians to court, that doesn't refer to everybody who calls themselves Christian. I don't believe a liar or a thief can be a Christian, because the Bible says, "All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire" (Rev 21:8) and thieves will not "inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:10). If a so-called Christian swindles you of money, forgive the person, don’t hate them, take them to court. You are not hating them by taking them to court, you are letting the wheel of justice turn. You may be saving other people’s lives or at least spare them from being swindled again by a sinner who should be held accountable and brought to justice. A good court is God’s minister for righteousness on the earth.

But genuine Christians can have misunderstandings with each other. These should not be brought to court. Learn to fight for one another, instead of fight against one another. Resolve issues directly, immediately, and amicably, as Christians who will spend eternity together. God’s love never fails!

Pray: PROVERBS 21:1 (AKJ) The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.

If the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, how much more is the heart of the judge, the prosecutor, the lawyers, the witnesses, everyone who is involved in this legal case. Like a river of water, turn their hearts in my favor, in Jesus’ Name!

ISAIAH 54:17 (AKJ) No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, said the LORD.

No weapon or false accusation formed against me shall prosper. Every lying tongue is condemned! My protection is a heritage of the servants of the Lord. No lie can live forever. Truth will prevail, in Jesus’ Name!

1 JOHN 2:1 (AKJ) My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Jesus is my Advocate, He is my lawyer. He is on my side, pleading my case, defending me against the accusations of the devil. They will not stick because Jesus is my Defense!

1 JOHN 4:4 (AKJ) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Greater is God who is in me than all the evil that is in the world. Greater is the Advocate in me than the accuser that is in the world. Greater is the Peace that is in me than the turmoil that is in the world. I have overcome because the Overcomer lives in me!

MATTHEW 5:25 (God’s Word) Make peace quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him. Otherwise, he will hand you over to the judge. Then the judge will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison.

ROMANS 12:18 (AKJ) If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (World English) If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

Written by Steve Cioccolanti for the benefit of the Body of Christ.
Free to duplicate but not sell. Rights reserved by Discover Ministries.