At this point, the thing to do is ask God when it’s okay for Christians to settle cases in court. It depends on the situation.
Maybe you both are just working for a legal entity (like a company) and both represent their respective organizations. (Of course, this means that they are not really taking each other to courts but their companies are!)Or maybe the person in question is not really a brother or sister, but an evil person trying to harm you or your family. This is actually very likely the situation with many today. With so many saying they are Christians while living like pure unbelievers, one must ascertain first the genuineness of any Christian.
Again, some actions are spiritual sins and no cause of concern to a government (like fornication), while some are crimes (like rape). The church can handle sins; but crimes are handled by the State. And both the church and the State are governing authorities that God has provided over us (Romans 13:1-7, Hebrews 13:17).
Where the action involves a crime, the state may have to handle that. As Christians, we should stand up against evil, and sometimes, to do that may involve using the legal system to seek justice.
READ ALSO: JUNGLE JUSTICE
Pay Attention to These Scriptural Principles
1. Don’t hastily go to court: What you have seen with your eyes, do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbour puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbour himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. Proverbs 25:8-10 ESV
2. Instead, quickly resolve issues before it is brought to the court: 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. Matthew 5:25 GW
Court cases can rob you of peace, not to talk about other resources you lose.
READ ALSO: WHO’S THE JUDGE?
References
When a wise person goes to court with a stubborn fool, he may rant and rave, but there is no peace and quiet. Proverbs 29:9 GW
So, strive to live in peace with everyone, as much as you can (Romans 12:18), and always seek wise counsel before you take any step (Proverbs 12:15).
In all cases, ask yourself, which would you rather be subject to: the Laws of God or the laws of man?
READ ALSO: SHOULD CHRISTIANS SETTLE CASES IN LAW COURTS? (PART 1)
