by Joe Works<\/p>\n
That may not happen but it needs to be your goal. No good will come from “letting people have it” as you’re walking out the door (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14).<\/p>\n
If people have treated you poorly maybe they will change. Pray sincerely for them. God changed you from your sinful past. He can change them. And maybe your leaving will actually be the catalyst for that. But only if you are encouraging good behavior with your example while exiting (Hebrews 6:9).<\/p>\n
Why harbor bad feelings? What good will come from it? Things weren’t perfect when you were there, but surely you can remember people and events that were godly and uplifting. Pollyanna “looked for the good in people, and found it.” Be Pollyanna when you leave. (Philippians 4:8)<\/p>\n
If your comments about the former group are all bad, eventually people will see you as the problem. This doesn’t mean we can’t offer warnings to others about what they might expect in going there, but be merciful (Matthew 5:7). Honestly, you were probably treated like you deserved, and maybe better. Be a better person for your time there (Colossians 4:6).<\/p>\n
It seems to me these ideas can be applied to preachers, employees, neighbors, and children as they move on to their next place.<\/p>\n
Barnabas was a son of encouragement. Be encouraging when leaving, and having left, be encouraged by the blessings God gave you there.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Joe Works Leave Peaceably That may not happen but it needs to be your goal. No good will come from “letting people have it” as you’re walking out the door (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14). Leave Hopeful If people have treated you poorly maybe they will change. Pray sincerely for them. God changed you from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[357,1201],"class_list":["post-61421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-encouragement","tag-politeness"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2398,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-there-a-point-when-it-is-too-late-to-leave-sin-and-be-forgiven\/","url_meta":{"origin":61421,"position":0},"title":"Is there a point when it is too late to leave sin and be forgiven?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 8, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I grew up in a church of Christ. I was baptized in middle school. I have struggled with sexual immorality beginning from a young age for a long time, along with other sins including taking plan B. I think as a teenager I did not take sin as seriously\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":87647,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/tarnish-on-a-silver-platter\/","url_meta":{"origin":61421,"position":1},"title":"Tarnish on a Silver Platter","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A cynic is someone who, when given a silver platter, sees only tarnish. His perspective is skewed because he's already made up his mind about how to look at life, and, unfortunately, some of the most cynical people can be Christians. Christians should be the most optimistic people in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8993,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/i-left-the-lord-but-now-that-i-returned-will-god-accept-me\/","url_meta":{"origin":61421,"position":2},"title":"I left the Lord, but now that I returned, will God accept me?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I was baptized as a teen. I really didn't change the way I acted or lived (drinking, partying, etc.). I went to college and lived a very immoral life (drinking, fornication, etc.). In my mid 20's I realized that I was wrong (pierced to the heart), and repented and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":35078,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/some-people-are-treating-me-as-if-im-not-welcomed-anymore-should-i-leave-or-put-up-with-them\/","url_meta":{"origin":61421,"position":3},"title":"Some people are treating me as if I’m not welcomed anymore. Should I leave or put up with them?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 9, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Several members at my church are treating me like I'm no longer wanted there. When I try to talk to them they don't want to hear it. It is really hard to think of leaving, I've been there all my life. My dad was a founding member of this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":30816,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-do-you-say-to-people-who-left-the-church-when-you-run-into-them\/","url_meta":{"origin":61421,"position":4},"title":"What do you say to people who left the church when you run into them?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 2, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Over the last couple of years, members (particularly young adults) have fallen away from the church. It concerns me, as I have heard that they are going their own way and some now have relationships (boyfriend or girlfriends). I am not sure how to deal with the situation as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49368,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-did-she-leave-me-if-god-sent-signs-that-we-should-be-together\/","url_meta":{"origin":61421,"position":5},"title":"Why did she leave me if God sent signs that we should be together?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have a girl who I have dated for a year. I have gone through a lot with her. She is a good person, always wanting the best for me. She made me stop drinking alcohol. 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