Dont treat each other with malice [ill will, spite] (Ephesian 4:31 NIV). When youre angry, spreading gossip is hard to resist. But malicious talk is like wildfire; it consumes those who spread it and those who listen to it. Dont display ur dirty wash; keep it in the laundry room. Dirty laundry gets aired in two ways: 1)Open Embarrassment. You say it where u know others are going to hear it. 2)Subtlety. You make jokes about their figure, family members and friends, etc., in order to belittle them. This results in embarrassment for the person youre angry at, widens the gap between u and makes reconciliation impossible. Solomon writes: ...He that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter (Proverbs 11:13), and ...Love covereth all sins (Proverbs 10:12). Paul writes: ...In malice be babes, bt in understanding be mature (1 Corinthians 14:20 NKJV). Be part of the clean-up crew. We say, They brought it on themselves. Let them get over it. They may have deserved it, bt we cant walk away and leave open wounds to become infected. We ...forgive, even as Christ...has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). How did Christ forgive us? After wed acknowledged, confessed and repented of our sins? No. ...When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son... (Romans 5:10). God took the initiative, so forgive, before d other person asks for forgiveness. And should they remain ur enemy for life, forgive them anyhow. Thats mopping up after d war. Only then are u urself forgiven, the wounds u inflicted healed, and ur record before God expunged!
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 06:41:25 +0000