Reflection: Answering Nonsense with Sensibility

A friend's action recently "amused" me and I had a revelation.

"Answer immaturity with maturity,
impatience with even greater patience,
impulsive actions with even clear + careful consideration and
hate with love."

The world says an eye for an eye, but God says "love".

Leviticus 19:18
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Two immature people makes the situation worse.
And bickering with an impulsive person makes you no better than that very person you are trying to correct.

Matthew 7:3
And why do you look at the speck in your brother窶冱 eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

True, a rebuke from a friend is better than the praise of an enemy.
Yet God also said "love" and give grace.

So my verdict --> rebuke lovingly, gently and with grace.

"A gentle rebuke gives grace and allows space for that person to change."

Jesus did not tolerate sin but He also forgave and loved,
and corrected His disciples by being a good example.