Monday, December 30, 2013

Who to Follow?


Follow Me - It only Looks Dangerous
courtesy photobucket.com
 
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal, and behaving like mere men?

Things happen, and at times individuals say and do things that are not wise and not kind.  Then they are sorry and apologize, but not all involved are forgiving, rather they want to lead a parade.  Not with words, but they indicate; come follow me and we will hate those we should love. 

I can rationalize and give an excuse saying the one acting out was overworked, tired and deserved to react but did it without consideration for the after effects. 

For others I can again rationalize and understand their remarks are because of the way they were raised in a large family where arguing and tearing down each other was constant so this is a continued pattern that is carried into their new family.

There are times when I must examine my own heart and there I discover resentments that I thought were long ago removed.  Yes, the Bible tells us that “The Heart is deceitful and utterly wicked and who can know it.” 
 
As mature adults it is up to us to recognize where these feeling are coming from and make a decision as to who to follow. 
 
We must realize that Satan is the liar, thief and destroyer and he tries to destroy relationships.

Honestly I consider and realize that I do NOT want to hate those who have wronged me, rather the Bible says to pray for those who hatefully use you, and to be kind to them.

We can pass over and ignore a young child who says hateful remarks, because they have not been taught to watch their words and to only speak what you want others to hear.

Perhaps I can excuse these individuals, because they are still acting as babes and have not grown up enough to learn to forgive and walk in love.

There is a grave danger in holding grudges, anger and hate because a venom is released into the physical body harming one’s health.  The evil spoken against, often returns to the one who send it.

Another danger is those children who love and adore the one who is spewing and therefore pick up on this poisoned fuse of dynamite and join in the parade.

For myself, I must do some praying in earnest for all concerned; those who act unwisely and for those who respond with hate and unforgiveness.

Who is the one to follow?  I must choose to follow Jesus

3 comments:

Floyd said...

I needed to read this today, Hazel. It's easy to let the frustrations get the better of us. This is a good perspective and striving for the new year. Happy New Year, sister.

Betty Jo said...

I've been reading Andrew Murray this past week on humility. Jesus is the only one to follow as He is our greatest example of forgiveness and humility, no matter what the situation.

A quote from Murray: “Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.”
― Andrew Murray

Betty Jo said...

Oops! Forgot to say Happy New Year Dear Hazel!!