In German we have a saying, "ein Huhn mit jemandem rupfen," meaning to pluck a chicken with someone. The expression means to correct the person or discuss something wrong that the person did.

In his epistle to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul gives us an exhortation in a context that refers to our Christian fellowship: "Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:25-27; my emphasis throughout).

There are three interesting points in this short passage:

1. Our conduct in our Christian fellowship can cause someone to be angry.

2. We should resolve such situations quickly – if possible, on the very day the anger arises.

3. If we don’t do that, we are opening the door for Satan to influence us.

Jesus tells us what to do in this situation: "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him" (Luke 17:3-4).

Jesus is talking about situations where we have been hurt or a wrong was done against us. In the parallel account Jesus shows that we should discuss the situation with our brother (or sister) alone (Matthew 18:15).

Sometimes our talk shows it was all a misunderstanding or that there was no bad intention involved. In other cases the talk can lead to a better interpersonal relationship: "If he hears you, you have gained your brother" (Matthew 18:15).

Our willingness to follow the exhortations given by Paul and Christ contribute to peace and thereby also to unity within our fellowship. On the other hand, an "unplucked chicken" harms our fellowship – and most of all, our own selves, because we thereby "give place to the devil."

With these thoughts I wish us all a rewarding Sabbath!