Ephesians 4:14-16
We must stop acting like
children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false
teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place.
Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every
way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it
together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and
becomes strong because of love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This
morning, Timothy made a Lego® creation he dubbed “Trash Can Monster.”
The “body” of this guy was the “trash can” from his Lego® set. As the
creature took shape Timothy looked at Greg and me and said, “This guy
needs a head! Every creature needs a head!” I thought of this as we
looked at this scripture passage together this afternoon.
Jesus
is the “head” of our body. I read this scripture passage from
Ephesians 4 to Timothy and asked him what he thought it meant. First he
said, “We need to stop acting like babies and act like teenagers. We
need to quit crying when we have to clean up our room…and we need to not
argue with our ‘loves and dears’ (he means adults!).” I asked him
about the head and body verses, and he said, “Well, without a head, you
can’t see where you are going!”
Sometimes, it pays to talk to
seven-year-olds and get their perspective. See, Timothy gets it!
Without Jesus to be our “eyes, ears, and brain…our head,” our
body cannot function properly. His love fuels us and sustains us.
Christ’s truth leads us and steers us in the right direction.
There
are plenty of influences that want to fill us with lies and trick us
into believing things we shouldn’t. I’ve seen some pretty slick and
convincing talkers in my day…haven’t you? But this is where we have to
listen to our “loves and dears” and learn to discern who is telling us
the truth – and Who really has our back!
Read this passage
again…because it’s really rich! It’s time for us to grow up…to
recognize that our “creature” needs a “Head” – Jesus Christ. We need to
operate in His love and truth – always…to grow more like Him every day.
Jesus holds our lives together and makes each of us work perfectly as
individuals – and as a collective “body.” His love strengthens us and
helps us to stand up for truth – and to stand against the lies and
deceit of those who deal in falsehoods.
How close are you to
Jesus today? As you build your “body” and grow in His love and
knowledge, are you fully surrendered to His truth? Is Jesus really the
“head” of your body? Isn’t it time He became your ultimate “Love and
Dear?” Will this be the day that you move in that direction, once and
for all?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label deceit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deceit. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 17, 2013
Psalm 25:3
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I wasn’t going to tell you this… but…I guess this is as good a time as any for the “Christmas Bicycle” story. I’m guessing my brother was about 8 years old the Christmas he asked for a “real bicycle”. You see, the only bicycle he had ever owned was a second-hand, cobbled-up affair that someone had fixed for him, and he wanted a “Stingray” bicycle with the banana seat and all the trimmings. He was positive that Santa Claus… a.k.a. Mom and Dad… would bring him this bicycle. That was all he talked about… for weeks. “When I get my bicycle”… or “Santa is bringing me a bicycle”… or “I will do this or that on my new bicycle.” My sister and I… older than he by 3 and 4 years… were ready to gag. When Tim got on a run about something like that, he would NOT let it go!
We always spent Christmas Eve at the farm with my grandparents… my Mam-ma Polly and Pap-pa Truman. That year, Tim got a cassette tape recorder from them. But all the way home, he talked about the bicycle he would get the next morning. So my sister and I asked to “borrow” the tape recorder, and we made little bedtime recording for Tim. We told him that there was not enough money to get him the bicycle he wanted. We explained that Mom and Dad had bought a wig for my sister Suzanne, and I don’t remember what they got me, but when they finished paying for those items, there just was not enough money for the bike. We asked him to “buck up”… to try not to be upset… to essentially be a sore loser and give the bicycle nonsense a rest!
We delivered the tape recording to Tim and said, “Listen to this!”… and then we returned to our room. Soon, we heard crying. Our little brother was Devastated (and yes, I meant to use a capital “D”!). He was so heartbroken, and we were immediately sorry that we had done this. We tried and tried to convince him that it was a joke… that we made it all up… that he WAS getting a bicycle for Christmas. But the damage was done.
The next morning, Tim was one sad little boy as he dragged himself into the living room. Mom and Dad tried to coax him to look out the dining room window onto the patio. They told him that “Santa” had left something there for him. He did not seem the least bit enthused… and of course, my parents were totally baffled by his behavior. So my sister and I had to confess. Then we threw open the curtain and revealed the shiny new bike, and Tim was beyond excited again. But Suzanne and I were not nearly as jubilant… and our parents were even less thrilled with us!
To this day, the “Christmas Bicycle Story” is a situation that makes us groan. How could we have been so deceptive and so cruel? Even given how annoying our little brother could be, that was an awful thing to do to him. But Tim, being “Tim” forgave us over and again through the years and offered both of us more grace for that incident - and other times we blamed Little Brother for our own misdeeds - than either of us deserved. To say that we are ashamed and disgraced by our behavior would be a major understatement… but we take comfort in knowing that we truly were forgiven.
I have said many times that even when nobody discovers your wrongdoings… God knows about them. Even if you seem to “skate by” with transgressions, deceptions and lies…God knows the truth. I don’t know about you, but the one thing I cannot bear to face is the thought that I might stand before God in disgrace. Thankfully, I don’t have to. I have given Him my heart and soul… I have invited Jesus to be the LORD of my life and to fill my heart with His Holy Spirit. I have been forgiven and offered unending love, grace and mercy. And while this is not a license to lie, cheat and steal, I know that if/when I do falter (because we are human and will have our moments), God will pick me up, dust me off, and set me upright again.
Because of all of this, I have hope. I will do my very best never to operate in deceit… and certainly I will make every effort not to disgrace myself… much less God. I will thank Him every day for His forgiveness and unconditional love and care. And I will live expectantly…anticipating the day when I will not only be able to share a laugh again about the “Christmas Bicycle” with my brother… but also to receive another hug of forgiveness from him.
Best of all, I will enjoy the glory and wonderment of God’s presence face-to-face… and that will be the best “Christmas” present ever! Are you hoping for… and expecting the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I wasn’t going to tell you this… but…I guess this is as good a time as any for the “Christmas Bicycle” story. I’m guessing my brother was about 8 years old the Christmas he asked for a “real bicycle”. You see, the only bicycle he had ever owned was a second-hand, cobbled-up affair that someone had fixed for him, and he wanted a “Stingray” bicycle with the banana seat and all the trimmings. He was positive that Santa Claus… a.k.a. Mom and Dad… would bring him this bicycle. That was all he talked about… for weeks. “When I get my bicycle”… or “Santa is bringing me a bicycle”… or “I will do this or that on my new bicycle.” My sister and I… older than he by 3 and 4 years… were ready to gag. When Tim got on a run about something like that, he would NOT let it go!
We always spent Christmas Eve at the farm with my grandparents… my Mam-ma Polly and Pap-pa Truman. That year, Tim got a cassette tape recorder from them. But all the way home, he talked about the bicycle he would get the next morning. So my sister and I asked to “borrow” the tape recorder, and we made little bedtime recording for Tim. We told him that there was not enough money to get him the bicycle he wanted. We explained that Mom and Dad had bought a wig for my sister Suzanne, and I don’t remember what they got me, but when they finished paying for those items, there just was not enough money for the bike. We asked him to “buck up”… to try not to be upset… to essentially be a sore loser and give the bicycle nonsense a rest!
We delivered the tape recording to Tim and said, “Listen to this!”… and then we returned to our room. Soon, we heard crying. Our little brother was Devastated (and yes, I meant to use a capital “D”!). He was so heartbroken, and we were immediately sorry that we had done this. We tried and tried to convince him that it was a joke… that we made it all up… that he WAS getting a bicycle for Christmas. But the damage was done.
The next morning, Tim was one sad little boy as he dragged himself into the living room. Mom and Dad tried to coax him to look out the dining room window onto the patio. They told him that “Santa” had left something there for him. He did not seem the least bit enthused… and of course, my parents were totally baffled by his behavior. So my sister and I had to confess. Then we threw open the curtain and revealed the shiny new bike, and Tim was beyond excited again. But Suzanne and I were not nearly as jubilant… and our parents were even less thrilled with us!
To this day, the “Christmas Bicycle Story” is a situation that makes us groan. How could we have been so deceptive and so cruel? Even given how annoying our little brother could be, that was an awful thing to do to him. But Tim, being “Tim” forgave us over and again through the years and offered both of us more grace for that incident - and other times we blamed Little Brother for our own misdeeds - than either of us deserved. To say that we are ashamed and disgraced by our behavior would be a major understatement… but we take comfort in knowing that we truly were forgiven.
I have said many times that even when nobody discovers your wrongdoings… God knows about them. Even if you seem to “skate by” with transgressions, deceptions and lies…God knows the truth. I don’t know about you, but the one thing I cannot bear to face is the thought that I might stand before God in disgrace. Thankfully, I don’t have to. I have given Him my heart and soul… I have invited Jesus to be the LORD of my life and to fill my heart with His Holy Spirit. I have been forgiven and offered unending love, grace and mercy. And while this is not a license to lie, cheat and steal, I know that if/when I do falter (because we are human and will have our moments), God will pick me up, dust me off, and set me upright again.
Because of all of this, I have hope. I will do my very best never to operate in deceit… and certainly I will make every effort not to disgrace myself… much less God. I will thank Him every day for His forgiveness and unconditional love and care. And I will live expectantly…anticipating the day when I will not only be able to share a laugh again about the “Christmas Bicycle” with my brother… but also to receive another hug of forgiveness from him.
Best of all, I will enjoy the glory and wonderment of God’s presence face-to-face… and that will be the best “Christmas” present ever! Are you hoping for… and expecting the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 7, 2013
Proverbs 12:20
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Recently, a man in Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and confinement of three young women who he held hostage and abused for more than a decade. Captured between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16, and 20, these women were freed in May 2013, when one of the women managed to escape and secure help. During sentencing, the captor was given a chance to speak in court. He launched into a lengthy “explanation” of how he was not a bad person… but rather a victim of his own sexual abuse - and subject to impulsive behavior. He maintained that he was not a violent person, and he tried to claim that he and the women shared a “normal family” relationship.
What a perfect example this is of someone who plotted evil and filled his heart with deceit! In fact, one of the victims spoke in court and labeled this man a hypocrite for attending church services every Sunday… and coming home to torture them afterward. Clearly, this is a sick, evil individual. I cannot imagine that he has an ounce of peace in his heart.
As upsetting and disgusting as this story is, we must remember that horrible, evil incidents like this have occurred since even Old Testament times. The devil is alive and well… and he loves to fill hearts with deceit. Lest we start slinging mud too fast and far, we should stop and acknowledge that we all have a propensity for deceit. Thankfully, most of us are not kidnappers and rapists… but we plot evil just the same.
When we “call in sick” so that we can do something fun, we are deceitful. When we make up excuses for friends, family members, co-workers, teachers, and others, we are devious, at best. Many of us lie, cheat and steal in some form or another all week long, then attend church on Sunday like the most pious of believers! Often, we tiptoe from one lie to the next… scared to death we will be “found out”… and stressed to the max as we try to juggle all of the deceptions we have created. Think of the adage by Scottish author and novelist, Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)… “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Where is the peace in this statement?
I have to believe that the women this man captured clung to the hope of peace someday… that they planned for it… dreamed of it… and believed that peace would once again be theirs. If they experienced even the briefest moments of joy, these surely were found in thoughts of being free and reunited with family members and friends. And I ask you… how do you plan for peace? What do you anticipate… what is the focus of your hopes and dreams… where do you place your hope? I have no clue how you answer these questions, but I can tell you that my ambitions and aspirations ultimately begin and end with Jesus. I don’t know what my future holds… but I know that He holds my future. I don’t know where or how joy will come, but I know that He will ensure that my heart is filled.
A dear friend of mine told me just today that “I am wondering now how anyone functions without being covered in the Peace of God. Thank goodness He is growing me daily, carries my burdens, and leads me with a growing clarity.” My question for you today is this… “Who grows you daily, carries your burdens, and leads you with a growing clarity? Are you covered in God’s peace? Is your heart filled with His joy… or do you still make room there for the devil?” Won’t you stop and think about this today? Will you ask God to show you how and where you need to change your attitude… and your objectives? Will this be the day you begin to fill your heart with God’s joy by planning peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Recently, a man in Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and confinement of three young women who he held hostage and abused for more than a decade. Captured between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16, and 20, these women were freed in May 2013, when one of the women managed to escape and secure help. During sentencing, the captor was given a chance to speak in court. He launched into a lengthy “explanation” of how he was not a bad person… but rather a victim of his own sexual abuse - and subject to impulsive behavior. He maintained that he was not a violent person, and he tried to claim that he and the women shared a “normal family” relationship.
What a perfect example this is of someone who plotted evil and filled his heart with deceit! In fact, one of the victims spoke in court and labeled this man a hypocrite for attending church services every Sunday… and coming home to torture them afterward. Clearly, this is a sick, evil individual. I cannot imagine that he has an ounce of peace in his heart.
As upsetting and disgusting as this story is, we must remember that horrible, evil incidents like this have occurred since even Old Testament times. The devil is alive and well… and he loves to fill hearts with deceit. Lest we start slinging mud too fast and far, we should stop and acknowledge that we all have a propensity for deceit. Thankfully, most of us are not kidnappers and rapists… but we plot evil just the same.
When we “call in sick” so that we can do something fun, we are deceitful. When we make up excuses for friends, family members, co-workers, teachers, and others, we are devious, at best. Many of us lie, cheat and steal in some form or another all week long, then attend church on Sunday like the most pious of believers! Often, we tiptoe from one lie to the next… scared to death we will be “found out”… and stressed to the max as we try to juggle all of the deceptions we have created. Think of the adage by Scottish author and novelist, Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)… “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Where is the peace in this statement?
I have to believe that the women this man captured clung to the hope of peace someday… that they planned for it… dreamed of it… and believed that peace would once again be theirs. If they experienced even the briefest moments of joy, these surely were found in thoughts of being free and reunited with family members and friends. And I ask you… how do you plan for peace? What do you anticipate… what is the focus of your hopes and dreams… where do you place your hope? I have no clue how you answer these questions, but I can tell you that my ambitions and aspirations ultimately begin and end with Jesus. I don’t know what my future holds… but I know that He holds my future. I don’t know where or how joy will come, but I know that He will ensure that my heart is filled.
A dear friend of mine told me just today that “I am wondering now how anyone functions without being covered in the Peace of God. Thank goodness He is growing me daily, carries my burdens, and leads me with a growing clarity.” My question for you today is this… “Who grows you daily, carries your burdens, and leads you with a growing clarity? Are you covered in God’s peace? Is your heart filled with His joy… or do you still make room there for the devil?” Won’t you stop and think about this today? Will you ask God to show you how and where you need to change your attitude… and your objectives? Will this be the day you begin to fill your heart with God’s joy by planning peace?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 11, 2012
Ephesians 4:25-32
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
©2012 Debbie Robus
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
- There is no room for ego in the life of a Christian. The choices and decisions we make affect others. “What about me?” will simply not cut it, if we truly want to live for Jesus. Virtually nothing in this life is totally about you or me.
- We must all realize that we can’t ask Jesus to forgive us… and then continue to judge others. We must operate in humility and an understanding that we are only one prayer for forgiveness away from being in the “hot seat” ourselves.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 30, 2012
1 Peter 3:8-11
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you.
The Scriptures say, "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever been on the receiving end of a hateful insult, you know how hurtful such expressions can be. Maybe someone put you down in an attempt to look better… maybe he/she didn’t have all the facts… or maybe the person hurling the insult was just mean-spirited. Regardless, our first – and most human – instinct is to retaliate with something equally insulting, if not more so.
We don’t have to look very far to see that insults have become so much a part of the fabric of our lives that many of us hardly even look up any more. I believe that one of the best illustrations of how serious these actions can be is found in toothpaste. Once the paste has been squeezed from the tube, there is virtually no way to return it. The same can be said for insults, unkind words and actions. You can apologize… ask for forgiveness…make excuses and promise never to allow something like this to happen again. But the sting has been delivered… the hurt has been inflicted… and this cannot be retracted.
What if you are on the receiving end of insulting or unkind behavior? How does God want us to react? We have Biblical instruction regarding this. Jesus has told us in Luke 6:27-31…”Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others just as you want to be treated.”
I have literally had doors slammed while my foot was in the threshold. I’ve had lies told about me and unkind things spoken to my face. I’ve been the brunt of mean-spirited jokes, and I have been deliberately excluded or singled out in more than one instance. And I am fairly certain these things have all happened to you, also. We live in a world that frequently operates in lies, deceit, unkindness and insults… even among those who claim to be faith-filled Disciples of Christ. All of this is enough to make even the strongest and most devoted believer feel defeated. How in the world are we supposed to hold our heads up and stay positive?
The answer lies in one name… Jesus. For every insult and unkindness we have experienced, Jesus has endured gazillions. He was physically bruised, beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross. His name is slandered every day… and people deny Him, mock Him, and call Him a liar. Even so-called believers challenge Him constantly… “LORD, how could You allow this to happen? Who do You think You are? Where were You when I needed You?” All of these things are hurtful and deliver a punch to the gut. Yet Jesus continues to love us… to open His arms and say, “Come to me and let me have your burdens.” And the most important thing we need to remember is that He does this for those who insult us and treat us badly, too.
We must remember Jesus. We must act – and react – in a manner that honors His sacrifices on our behalf and glorifies His love, grace and mercy toward us. Is this easy? Not at all. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The next time you feel insulted, think of Jesus. When you feel like retaliating or acting unkindly or hurling an insult… think of the toothpaste. How will you retract your actions? How will you love someone who has hurt you in some manner… how will you treat them as you wish to be treated? Again, think of Jesus. In Him, we find the perfect model for this. After all… He’s already done the same for each of us!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Father, I thank you for the perfect example of Jesus… and even more so, His love, grace and mercy for each of us. I pray that you will help us to honor You in our actions and reactions toward others… that we will remember the road to peace lies in treating others with love and kindness… especially when we feel they don’t deserve it. Forgive us when we fall short in this area… and help us to always remember Jesus – and to commit ourselves to walking more closely with Him every day. Amen.
Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you.
The Scriptures say, "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies. Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever been on the receiving end of a hateful insult, you know how hurtful such expressions can be. Maybe someone put you down in an attempt to look better… maybe he/she didn’t have all the facts… or maybe the person hurling the insult was just mean-spirited. Regardless, our first – and most human – instinct is to retaliate with something equally insulting, if not more so.
We don’t have to look very far to see that insults have become so much a part of the fabric of our lives that many of us hardly even look up any more. I believe that one of the best illustrations of how serious these actions can be is found in toothpaste. Once the paste has been squeezed from the tube, there is virtually no way to return it. The same can be said for insults, unkind words and actions. You can apologize… ask for forgiveness…make excuses and promise never to allow something like this to happen again. But the sting has been delivered… the hurt has been inflicted… and this cannot be retracted.
What if you are on the receiving end of insulting or unkind behavior? How does God want us to react? We have Biblical instruction regarding this. Jesus has told us in Luke 6:27-31…”Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others just as you want to be treated.”
I have literally had doors slammed while my foot was in the threshold. I’ve had lies told about me and unkind things spoken to my face. I’ve been the brunt of mean-spirited jokes, and I have been deliberately excluded or singled out in more than one instance. And I am fairly certain these things have all happened to you, also. We live in a world that frequently operates in lies, deceit, unkindness and insults… even among those who claim to be faith-filled Disciples of Christ. All of this is enough to make even the strongest and most devoted believer feel defeated. How in the world are we supposed to hold our heads up and stay positive?
The answer lies in one name… Jesus. For every insult and unkindness we have experienced, Jesus has endured gazillions. He was physically bruised, beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross. His name is slandered every day… and people deny Him, mock Him, and call Him a liar. Even so-called believers challenge Him constantly… “LORD, how could You allow this to happen? Who do You think You are? Where were You when I needed You?” All of these things are hurtful and deliver a punch to the gut. Yet Jesus continues to love us… to open His arms and say, “Come to me and let me have your burdens.” And the most important thing we need to remember is that He does this for those who insult us and treat us badly, too.
We must remember Jesus. We must act – and react – in a manner that honors His sacrifices on our behalf and glorifies His love, grace and mercy toward us. Is this easy? Not at all. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! The next time you feel insulted, think of Jesus. When you feel like retaliating or acting unkindly or hurling an insult… think of the toothpaste. How will you retract your actions? How will you love someone who has hurt you in some manner… how will you treat them as you wish to be treated? Again, think of Jesus. In Him, we find the perfect model for this. After all… He’s already done the same for each of us!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Father, I thank you for the perfect example of Jesus… and even more so, His love, grace and mercy for each of us. I pray that you will help us to honor You in our actions and reactions toward others… that we will remember the road to peace lies in treating others with love and kindness… especially when we feel they don’t deserve it. Forgive us when we fall short in this area… and help us to always remember Jesus – and to commit ourselves to walking more closely with Him every day. Amen.
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