Getting Along
There is always more to be learned about getting along with others. I believe the best thing to do in a situation where people don't agree is to look to God our Father for wisdom in the situation. This includes praying about it, considering the scriptures, considering Jesus, and making sure our hearts are free from bitterness which clouds our judgment. All this does not mean that we will not be angry or upset about the situation. If we do not get angry about something wrong or evil, then there is something wrong with us. The difference is that we do not seek revenge. This also does not mean that we do not seek to have the wrong made right. That is something we should work for. Revenge, on the other hand, does not have any redemptive properties to it.
Ephesians 4:26-32 is very informative in this. It says: "Be angry and sin not. Neither give place to the devil. . . .Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let al bitterness, and wrath, and anger and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."
When we are in a situation where emotions are high and we are angry, it can be difficult to keep our words pure so that they will minister grace and edify. It is no mistake that our focus is to remain on the fact that God has forgiven us - for Christ's sake - not because we deserve it, but because Jesus paid for us with His precious Blood on the cross.
Notice also that when we have anger and bitterness in our hearts, we are giving the devil a place in our lives. This reminds me so much of what Jesus said in John 14:30-31:
. . .for the prince of the world (the devil) comes, and has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." (He said this just before His arrest and crucifixion.)
Now what does the devil do in our lives? The Bible says that he is "the accuser of the brethren". If we ourselves are guilty of strife and bitternes and unforgiveness, he has something to accuse us of.
It also says that he comes and "takes away the Word that was sown in our hearts" so that we can not produce fruit (Mark 4:15). The fruit of the Spirit working in our heart is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance." (Galations 5:22) If we grieve the Holy Spirit, then He will not be able to produce these fruits in our hearts. Remember the verse in Ephesians tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. We are sealed by Him. When we grieve Him through harboring anger or bitterness, we break that seal. Then the devil can have a foothold in our lives.
No wonder then that we are told in Proverbs 4:23 to: "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Keep your heart free from bitterness and wrath.
Ephesians 4:26-32 is very informative in this. It says: "Be angry and sin not. Neither give place to the devil. . . .Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let al bitterness, and wrath, and anger and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."
When we are in a situation where emotions are high and we are angry, it can be difficult to keep our words pure so that they will minister grace and edify. It is no mistake that our focus is to remain on the fact that God has forgiven us - for Christ's sake - not because we deserve it, but because Jesus paid for us with His precious Blood on the cross.
Notice also that when we have anger and bitterness in our hearts, we are giving the devil a place in our lives. This reminds me so much of what Jesus said in John 14:30-31:
. . .for the prince of the world (the devil) comes, and has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." (He said this just before His arrest and crucifixion.)
Now what does the devil do in our lives? The Bible says that he is "the accuser of the brethren". If we ourselves are guilty of strife and bitternes and unforgiveness, he has something to accuse us of.
It also says that he comes and "takes away the Word that was sown in our hearts" so that we can not produce fruit (Mark 4:15). The fruit of the Spirit working in our heart is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance." (Galations 5:22) If we grieve the Holy Spirit, then He will not be able to produce these fruits in our hearts. Remember the verse in Ephesians tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. We are sealed by Him. When we grieve Him through harboring anger or bitterness, we break that seal. Then the devil can have a foothold in our lives.
No wonder then that we are told in Proverbs 4:23 to: "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Keep your heart free from bitterness and wrath.
posted by Laurie T at
10:29 AM
1 Comments:
I printed this one out too. I like to highlight some of the things that really hit home to me. I carry everything around in a 3-ring binder then I can reference it when I feel like I need more strength. The more and more that I study and pray the less I am facing some of these basic people issues I had before. It’s nice. I have also been choosing different battles; actually I'm not picking any battles at all. I am trying to understand that not everyone has realized the love of God and they are struggling with issues that I no longer have. I am just letting people talk and I listen without having to feel like I need to defend myself or the situation. It’s neat because people react very positive when you don’t feed into ther anger. When people have been mad and I continue to be nice and friendly they usually cheer up and are nice in return. I like to think that my kindness help defeat the enemy with those burning coals. lol
We had very interesting church service on Sunday. It was an interview recoreded with Bono from U2. I could see that he had a strong understanding of what Jesus asks of us here on Earth. It really made me relize that I need to not only focus on growning in my relationship with God but I need to help others as well. I feel like it is my duty as a Christian to help those in need. That when I am told to love my neighbor its not a suggestion but its my duty and it doen’t just mean watch them suffer but love them but love them with everythign that I have even if it means that I have to suffer. He said that the poor shouldn’t have to beg for food but they should have an equal place at our table. I am probally not doing the interview justice but it was very powerful. It has really motivated me to do more in my commutinty. My church is connected with a church in New Orleans and I would love to be able to go down with the next group. I think that it would be a great expiernce!!
Jessica
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