Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being bitter and angry and
mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be
rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God
forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A
lifelong friend of mine shared a link on Facebook that featured a
portrait of our First Lady and a comment about her poise, intelligence
and elegance. Someone responded with a rude litany of hateful comments
and some ugly descriptive words. My friend replied…”Did someone hack
your account? Just doesn’t sound like you.” The person responded that
indeed, she had NOT been hacked, and she continued her tirade. I loved
my friend’s final comment to this person…a simple ”Okey dokey!”
As Whoopie Goldberg always says on The View
when she makes a comment to which some might disagree…”Do not write or
call!” This is not meant to be a political statement. (In other words,
please keep your opinions about our First Lady to yourself!) Rather,
this is a commentary on a very important – and Biblical – lesson that my
mother and others taught me when I was very young…”If you cannot say
something nice, do not say anything at all.” I was also taught to
respect other human beings, regardless of whether I agreed with them or
not…that words are like toothpaste – once they are “out of the tube” (or
one’s mouth), it’s pretty well impossible to stuff them back inside…and
rude behavior is never appropriate – or Christ like. In other words,
there are times when the only decent response is, “Okey dokey!”
Does
this make us doormats or indicate that we agree with those who would be
unkind or rude? Absolutely not! This is a good way to say, “I’m not
getting involved in this. I will not embarrass myself – or God – by
stooping to this level.” It is also a way of demonstrating that even
when others DO behave badly and emit shameful remarks or actions, we
find a way to love them in spite of them…because Jesus requires it of
us.
I will be the first to tell you that I have had a few
situations, particularly in recent years, where it has been hard to
forgive and love anyway…where the words “Okey dokey” or some form of
them seemed to stick in my mouth and refuse to emerge. I still struggle
with feelings of bitterness and anger about certain situations. But
I’m working on this…because I know that there are plenty of times when I
have angered Jesus with my own thoughts, words and actions.
I
know that on any given day, I’ve sunk to a new low in the eyes of God,
and He has been rightfully ready to let me have it! And yet, because of
Jesus, I experience abundant grace, mercy and forgiveness…and love
everlasting.
So “okey dokey” is my new mantra. It really covers a
multitude of things…doesn’t it? And yet, I can offer this with love
and forgiveness…as I bite my tongue and pray for my own new mercies.
What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label rudeness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rudeness. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 4, 2014
Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually every day, each one of us has a reason to become bitter, angry, or mad at others. I have dear friends who have endured so much in the last year that it would make your head spin…the loss of loved ones, the loss of pets, physical illness and/or injury – and I’m talking about all of this happening to the same person! Others have endured insults, setbacks, and personal heartaches that boggle the mind. Still, they manage to keep going…to love others, and to operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
“Kudos to those people!” you may say. “I don’t know how they do it.” And let’s be real here…there are a lot of so-called “Christians” who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and cannot operate in compassion, grace and mercy. You know what I mean. We all could name people who are continually angry at someone or about something…who are mad at the world…who hold onto grudges and belittle others – or express disdain for certain people and/or their behaviors. Their general attitude is one of superiority…or at best, gratitude that they are “not like that guy!” They do not project an image of one who is kind, merciful, forgiving, and accepting of others. And their behavior demonstrates clearly to others that God’s love is only for a select few…because if they belong to Christ, He surely would not want someone with the kind of flaws average people like you and I have!
I’m afraid there are more than a few Christian snobs in our midst…and it’s time for us to each examine our hearts and see if we fall into this category – even once in a while. The Bible is clear that anger, bitterness and being mad at others are not hallmarks of a true Christian disciple. Yelling, cursing, and rudeness of any kind have no place in the life of one of Christ’s followers.
My challenge to you today is to stop and take a hard look at yourself. Examine your heart…your words…your body language…and your thoughts. Think about your recent conversations and what you might have said or done that could be viewed by another as operating in anger, bitterness or rudeness. If you can make amends…do so. But vow to God – and to yourself – to do better. Make this the day that you take this scripture passage to heart and incorporate it fully into your daily Discipleship. Ask God to forgive you...knowing that He will…and then forgive others - and yourself. Call on Him to give you the strength and the resolve to operate in love, grace, mercy, and compassion for everyone – all of the time!
Jesus died on the cross for all of our anger, bitterness, unkindness, and sin of every nature. If we truly are His disciples, we will leave these things at the foot of the cross where they belong. Have you done this? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually every day, each one of us has a reason to become bitter, angry, or mad at others. I have dear friends who have endured so much in the last year that it would make your head spin…the loss of loved ones, the loss of pets, physical illness and/or injury – and I’m talking about all of this happening to the same person! Others have endured insults, setbacks, and personal heartaches that boggle the mind. Still, they manage to keep going…to love others, and to operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
“Kudos to those people!” you may say. “I don’t know how they do it.” And let’s be real here…there are a lot of so-called “Christians” who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and cannot operate in compassion, grace and mercy. You know what I mean. We all could name people who are continually angry at someone or about something…who are mad at the world…who hold onto grudges and belittle others – or express disdain for certain people and/or their behaviors. Their general attitude is one of superiority…or at best, gratitude that they are “not like that guy!” They do not project an image of one who is kind, merciful, forgiving, and accepting of others. And their behavior demonstrates clearly to others that God’s love is only for a select few…because if they belong to Christ, He surely would not want someone with the kind of flaws average people like you and I have!
I’m afraid there are more than a few Christian snobs in our midst…and it’s time for us to each examine our hearts and see if we fall into this category – even once in a while. The Bible is clear that anger, bitterness and being mad at others are not hallmarks of a true Christian disciple. Yelling, cursing, and rudeness of any kind have no place in the life of one of Christ’s followers.
My challenge to you today is to stop and take a hard look at yourself. Examine your heart…your words…your body language…and your thoughts. Think about your recent conversations and what you might have said or done that could be viewed by another as operating in anger, bitterness or rudeness. If you can make amends…do so. But vow to God – and to yourself – to do better. Make this the day that you take this scripture passage to heart and incorporate it fully into your daily Discipleship. Ask God to forgive you...knowing that He will…and then forgive others - and yourself. Call on Him to give you the strength and the resolve to operate in love, grace, mercy, and compassion for everyone – all of the time!
Jesus died on the cross for all of our anger, bitterness, unkindness, and sin of every nature. If we truly are His disciples, we will leave these things at the foot of the cross where they belong. Have you done this? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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