when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.
OK. I'm going to ask for total honesty here. I hope you are ready. This is directed at me, too.
Have you ever heard that something happened to a person who has been wicked and spiteful toward you? Some trouble that has befallen them? How did you feel? Did you think to yourself, "Well, they got what they deserved."
Maybe it is someone who has done you a terrible wrong. Did you smile inwardly when you heard of their "fall" or their difficult situation?
Perhaps it is someone who has slandered you so that your church friends and acquaintances are wary of you. They are not sure what to think, in spite of their years of fellowship with you. Maybe this person has treated you badly, and then received an award or promotion that you deserved. How should we react?
In complete honesty, I have to admit that I have been guilty here. In the business world that we operate in, there are some extremely ruthless people, and they have caused us harm in more ways than one. If we allow our human nature to rule, we will want revenge -- we want them to get their just desserts. If we allow our spiritual nature to rule, however, we will react differently.
I think that is one of the marks of a committed Christian -- a character trait that means we don't seek revenge for wrongs that are done to us. In the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus goes way further than that:
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?As followers of Christ, we need to make certain that we behave graciously in defeat, and benevolently in victory. If we laugh and mock at our "enemy" in distress, are we putting God in a position of defending that person to whom we show contempt, or even hatred? Solomon says we are (v. 18).
How blessed we are, to have a Father that has not avenged Himself for our sinful ways, and for what we have done to Him!
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.No one has nailed me or you to a cross, for things we did not do. Who can have done more to us, than we have done to Christ? And yet, God loves the whole world -- saved and unsaved.
How about it? What is our attitude like, when our enemy stumbles? Are we cheering -- proving that we are really just the same as them? Or are we praying for them, as Jesus asked us to do?
I needed this today . . . can someone pass the band-aids so I can take care of my own toes?
OUCH!!! There have been times when I really desired revenge for wrong done to me. And there is one time in particular I remember where I was so unhappy by the treatment of someone, and I decided to pray for them instead of being angry and wanting them hurt as well. It was amazing how my attitude changed by praying for them. I don't know if they actually changed, or if I was in a place where they didn't bother me any longer, but our relationship did change for the better.
ReplyDeleteI still find it hard not to harbor ill feelings toward those who have mistreated me, so I need to remember this lesson!! I'll share my band-aids with you. ;)
I have gloated over things that have happened to people who hurt me. I used to do it more but now that I have matured in Christ I find that I do not and I pray that God will help me to be a witness to them in the way that they need it.
ReplyDeleteWow! I think I did some gloating and did also crave for revenge, but I never did follow through with my getting revenge plans.. Really and truly if we treat people like how the treat us especially baby are we any better that them? Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello Shayii, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I wanted to reply to you directly, but your settings are on no-reply, so I hope you stop by here again....thanks for joining us in our study!
ReplyDeleteI did like this post, I really did, but I have a question.
ReplyDeleteHow are we, in fact, the same as somebody who ACTED evil toward us, for THINKING badly toward them when their own downfall comes?
I once prayed for someone who had wronged me, and I have to say the more I prayed for them, the more enraged I became, thinking about any good happening for them. How can God expect this from us when honestly, enjoying it helps keep us sane?
Hello Anonymous, I would have responded directly to you, but your settings were on no-reply.
ReplyDeleteI guess the way the Holy Spirit guided me is this: It's my belief that Jesus indicated that our thoughts are just as bad as deeds. I get this from Matthew 5. Also from Ephesians 4:22-24.... I totally get that when we dwell on a wrong someone has done to us, it can make us more angry. But if we are striving to be like Christ, we can ask Him to help us have compassion on them, instead of hate. We can rely on Him to cleanse our hearts, and then it will be possible to pray for them, as God told us to do. I hope that makes sense. I've been there; I have dealt with this. When God changed my heart, I could actually pray for that person with no malice, only a desire for them to get closer to Christ.
I have gloated many times on the troubles of my perceived enemies, lord I repent sincerely
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteMy family does not understand this verse, I tried explaining it to them but they made me feel like Mrs perfect, I know I am far from perfect, people have hurt me, there are times when I wish they will suffer but the love of Christ Jesus in me reminds to wish good for people who have hurt me and my family. I pray one day they'll understand why this verse is very important. Thank you for the explanation.
ReplyDeleteThis has touched me. SO help me God . Good example is David in 2Samuel 1:1-15
ReplyDelete