God calls us to walk away from our former way of
living in corruption and deceit. His Spirit gives us new attitudes toward life
and wholesome thoughts in our mind. He gives us His true righteousness and
holiness.
Jesus advises us to speak the truth in love and not
to nurse our anger and allow it to fester, because this gives Satan a foothold
into our life and relationships. He also cautions us not to speak unwholesome
words, but only that which would build up the body of Christ.
God encourages us to live at peace with everyone
(Romans 12:18). We cannot control another’s actions or responses towards us,
but we can put distance between us and an abusive person.
When we take a step back and look at their actions
from a spiritual frame of mind, we can pray for them and also about our
response to them. We do this by speaking firmly, but kindly, in the face of any
imposition or attack against us.
We can also take our hurt feelings to the Lord. He
helps us to forgive the offender and to bless them (Proverbs 25:22), whether
they respond positively or not.
How they feel about us or what they think of us has
no bearing on who we are or on our relationship with our Lord and Savior. In
reality, His opinion of us is the only one that really matters.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help us to put away slander, malice,
coarse words and explosive anger. Remind us to use positive words to
communicate how we feel and how we want to be treated. Let us kindly tell the
truth in love, even when it hurts.
Thank You for saving us from a life ravaged by sin.
Help us to have compassion on others and to freely forgive them for misjudging
us, accusing us or criticizing us. Give us wholesome ideas on how to separate
our self from abusive behavior and words, rather than to strike out in anger at
their mistreatment.
Thought for the Day:
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in
settings of silver.” - Proverbs 25:11
