- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,538
If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame. As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels. Proverbs 30:32-33 NLT
The word violence conjures up all kinds of images. Your mind is probably entertaining some right now. There’s no need for examples because your perspective delivers a more personal experience.
Violence is a natural reaction to a personal shaking. Someone says or does something that seems disrespectful or rude. It hurts and you respond in anger, yet a defensive response can open the door to violence—and violence gives birth to more violence. A rude response generally results in someone willing to play the rudeness game.
Staying away from the bait of violence requires pure bravery. Taking the bait causes an acid to seep into your soul that screams, “Injustice!” and believes that you cannot overlook a wrong. It believes that forgiveness doesn’t hold someone accountable. This bitterness often leads to violence.
Stop offending people and stop letting their offenses toward you dictate your response. Resolve to be unflinching.
Prayer: God, Your Son could have been justified in exhibiting violence against those who came to destroy His life, yet some of His final words were “Forgive them.” Help me to remember that a violent response exposes a wound in my soul or in the souls of others. Bring healing, Lord. Everyone could use that.
The word violence conjures up all kinds of images. Your mind is probably entertaining some right now. There’s no need for examples because your perspective delivers a more personal experience.
Violence is a natural reaction to a personal shaking. Someone says or does something that seems disrespectful or rude. It hurts and you respond in anger, yet a defensive response can open the door to violence—and violence gives birth to more violence. A rude response generally results in someone willing to play the rudeness game.
Staying away from the bait of violence requires pure bravery. Taking the bait causes an acid to seep into your soul that screams, “Injustice!” and believes that you cannot overlook a wrong. It believes that forgiveness doesn’t hold someone accountable. This bitterness often leads to violence.
Stop offending people and stop letting their offenses toward you dictate your response. Resolve to be unflinching.
Prayer: God, Your Son could have been justified in exhibiting violence against those who came to destroy His life, yet some of His final words were “Forgive them.” Help me to remember that a violent response exposes a wound in my soul or in the souls of others. Bring healing, Lord. Everyone could use that.
