What is repentance?
Is it saying, "I'm sorry?"
Is it walking on your knees to a holy place, reciting a prayer?
Not surprisingly, the Bible is the source book for understanding biblical repentance. And we find an example of repentance in Daniel 91:16, giving us five elements of a prayer of repentance.
The first element is the Word of God. Daniel was reading the book of Jeremiah, a prophet in the years preceding, during and after the Babylonian exile. Daniel was living in Babylon in exile, so he knew what the current situation was. Jeremiah helped him understand why it was that way. This understanding caused Daniel to repent. Without the Word of God, repentance has no foundation (v 1-2).
The second element is Daniel's attitude of humility (v 3). Seeking God, pleas for mercy, fasting, sackcloth and ashes are marks of humility. It was not an attitude of "I've got to do this" or "If I do this, everything will be okay." But Daniel was shaken by the truths of God's Word and the evidences of God's wrath.
The third element is Daniel's recognition of God. Look through the prayer and you'll find these words that describe God: great, awesome, faithful, merciful, righteous, just, forgiving, angry, wrathful, listening. Clearly in God's eyes, God was right.
The fourth element is Daniel's recognition of guilt. "We have sinned against You." "To us belongs shame." "We have rebelled." "We have not obeyed." No blame shifting. No minimizing. No excuses.
The fifth is a request for forgiveness and restoration (v 16-19). Daniel cries out to God to restore His people and His land and His city. Not because of Daniel's prayer. Not because of the goodness of the people. Not because they have gone through rehab and are doing better. Not because they made promises to try harder. But because of God's name. Because of God's glory.
When was the last time you repented like that? Just for the big sins? Does God have a sliding scale giving more weight to more serious sins?
We need to walk in repentance.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Giving Praise to God
A very well-known Bible account - Daniel in the lion's den found in Daniel 6 - is full of lessons to learn. One is about giving God the glory.
King Darius paced the floor all night. He was concerned for his friend and couldn't sleep.
The next morning, the king rushed to the lion's den and called out to Daniel. He had some reason to think that Daniel might still be alive.
Daniel responded, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before Him; and also before you, o king, I have done no harm" (v 21-22).
Daniel didn't say, "Just fine! Everything's okay down here!"
He directed the king's thoughts right to God.
"God delivered me!:
So often we take credit for God's work. Or at least we don't take the opportunity to point others to God.
God helped me...
God taught me...
God did this..
And really it shouldn't be that hard.
We know that God is constantly at work, even if we're not in the lion's den.
He provides a job to pay the bills.
He keeps us safe on our drive to work - even if the roads aren't icy.
He gives us His Word to teach us.
He gives us to have victory over sin.
God is always doing something for us or teaching us.
All we have to do is open our mouths and tell someone about it!
King Darius paced the floor all night. He was concerned for his friend and couldn't sleep.
The next morning, the king rushed to the lion's den and called out to Daniel. He had some reason to think that Daniel might still be alive.
Daniel responded, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before Him; and also before you, o king, I have done no harm" (v 21-22).
Daniel didn't say, "Just fine! Everything's okay down here!"
He directed the king's thoughts right to God.
"God delivered me!:
So often we take credit for God's work. Or at least we don't take the opportunity to point others to God.
God helped me...
God taught me...
God did this..
And really it shouldn't be that hard.
We know that God is constantly at work, even if we're not in the lion's den.
He provides a job to pay the bills.
He keeps us safe on our drive to work - even if the roads aren't icy.
He gives us His Word to teach us.
He gives us to have victory over sin.
God is always doing something for us or teaching us.
All we have to do is open our mouths and tell someone about it!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Eternal Life
We so easily think and therefore teach that eternal life is a period of time.
"After we die, we get to live forever." Isn't that how we usually present John 3:16?
But what about those who don't believe that Jesus died for their sins? They live forever, too. It's a painful eternity, suffering in hell. But they are still alive.
So is it a quality of life after death that we are to promote?
Look at something else that John wrote:
"...His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20b).
Eternal life isn't a period of time. Nor is it a quality of life.
Eternal life is a person.
John began this same letter the same way:
"...the life was made manifest and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you..." (1:2-3a).
John is not talking about a period of time. Or a quality of life. Or even a distinction between life and death.
You can't see or touch those. They can't be with the Father and revealed to us. They are abstract. John is talking about something concrete.
He's talking about Jesus.
The eternal life that we can have by believing in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is Jesus Himself!
We can have fellowship with Him (1:3-4)
He is with us (Mt 28:18-20).
He gives us victory over sin (Rom 6:6).
He provides for us (Phil 4:19).
He promises resurrection (Rom 6:8-9).
And so much more!
"After we die, we get to live forever." Isn't that how we usually present John 3:16?
But what about those who don't believe that Jesus died for their sins? They live forever, too. It's a painful eternity, suffering in hell. But they are still alive.
So is it a quality of life after death that we are to promote?
Look at something else that John wrote:
"...His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20b).
Eternal life isn't a period of time. Nor is it a quality of life.
Eternal life is a person.
John began this same letter the same way:
"...the life was made manifest and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you..." (1:2-3a).
John is not talking about a period of time. Or a quality of life. Or even a distinction between life and death.
You can't see or touch those. They can't be with the Father and revealed to us. They are abstract. John is talking about something concrete.
He's talking about Jesus.
The eternal life that we can have by believing in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is Jesus Himself!
We can have fellowship with Him (1:3-4)
He is with us (Mt 28:18-20).
He gives us victory over sin (Rom 6:6).
He provides for us (Phil 4:19).
He promises resurrection (Rom 6:8-9).
And so much more!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
My Hope is in the Lord
My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me.
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
For me, He died. For me He lives.
And everlasting life and light He freely give.
Christ did everything for me to secure my salvation.
Everything.
Nothing I could do.
It's all a free gift that He has provided.
His goal for me is not simply that I would reach the grand entrance to heaven.
He desires that I live a holy life in the meantime.
When I choose to sin, I mock the price that He paid.
If I give in to temptation, I mock the price that He paid.
I say that His blood was not enough to give me victory.
These things I know.
These things I need to practice.
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
For me, He died. For me He lives.
And everlasting life and light He freely give.
Christ did everything for me to secure my salvation.
Everything.
Nothing I could do.
It's all a free gift that He has provided.
His goal for me is not simply that I would reach the grand entrance to heaven.
He desires that I live a holy life in the meantime.
When I choose to sin, I mock the price that He paid.
If I give in to temptation, I mock the price that He paid.
I say that His blood was not enough to give me victory.
These things I know.
These things I need to practice.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday Morning
"As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, 'Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.' And they come to you as people come, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. when this comes - and come it will! - then they will know that a prophet has been among them" (Ezekiel 33:30-33).
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
"Hey, guys! Let's go to church! There's a great speaker."
"That was a great sermon today! He really made it easy to understand!"
But then Monday morning roles around and nothing has changed.
Wake up grumpy.
Yell at the kids.
Kick the dog.
Laziness, lying and lack of concern come back into the workday.
We don't witness to the co-worker.
We don't take time for devotions.
We work overtime.
Everything we heard on Sunday is forgotten, except maybe the gossip in the foyer.
The same message is repeated in James 1:22-25: "But be doers of the Word and not hearers only."
It's a pitfall that has spanned the centuries.
A consistent refusal to do what has been taught may lead to judgment. Look what happened to Israel.
It may be evidence that we aren't even redeemed. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).
Today is Monday. What are you doing today differently because of what you learned from God's Word yesterday?
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
"Hey, guys! Let's go to church! There's a great speaker."
"That was a great sermon today! He really made it easy to understand!"
But then Monday morning roles around and nothing has changed.
Wake up grumpy.
Yell at the kids.
Kick the dog.
Laziness, lying and lack of concern come back into the workday.
We don't witness to the co-worker.
We don't take time for devotions.
We work overtime.
Everything we heard on Sunday is forgotten, except maybe the gossip in the foyer.
The same message is repeated in James 1:22-25: "But be doers of the Word and not hearers only."
It's a pitfall that has spanned the centuries.
A consistent refusal to do what has been taught may lead to judgment. Look what happened to Israel.
It may be evidence that we aren't even redeemed. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).
Today is Monday. What are you doing today differently because of what you learned from God's Word yesterday?
Friday, November 15, 2013
Do We Dare Ask?
Ezekiel prophesied the destruction of Egypt by the hands of the Babylonians, revealing God's purposes.
One purpose was to humble Egypt and Pharaoh (30:6). Her pride and idolatry would be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's army.
A second purpose was to reward Babylon. God had used the mighty, unstoppable Babylonian army to accomplish His purposes with many nations, including Judah. The plunder of Egypt was to provide payment for their services (29:17-20).
Throughout this prophecy, God repeats, "Then they shall know that I am the LORD."
God's purpose centers around proclaiming His name and bringing glory to Himself.
Can we read the newspaper asking ourselves, "How is God glorifying Himself through these events?"
Or do we look at the events of our own lives and ask, "How is God glorifying Himself through these events?"
We believe that God is sovereign and that He is acting according to His plan to bring glory to Himself. Therefore, we should be able to ask ourselves that question all the time.
The question should motivate us toward obedience. God is sovereign. God's goal is to bring glory to Himself. That should be my goal, too.
So we should dare to ask ourselves the same question when we are making decisions: "How will God be able to glorify Himself if I make this decision?"
That should be our first question, since glorifying God should be our primary motivation.
One purpose was to humble Egypt and Pharaoh (30:6). Her pride and idolatry would be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's army.
A second purpose was to reward Babylon. God had used the mighty, unstoppable Babylonian army to accomplish His purposes with many nations, including Judah. The plunder of Egypt was to provide payment for their services (29:17-20).
Throughout this prophecy, God repeats, "Then they shall know that I am the LORD."
God's purpose centers around proclaiming His name and bringing glory to Himself.
Can we read the newspaper asking ourselves, "How is God glorifying Himself through these events?"
Or do we look at the events of our own lives and ask, "How is God glorifying Himself through these events?"
We believe that God is sovereign and that He is acting according to His plan to bring glory to Himself. Therefore, we should be able to ask ourselves that question all the time.
The question should motivate us toward obedience. God is sovereign. God's goal is to bring glory to Himself. That should be my goal, too.
So we should dare to ask ourselves the same question when we are making decisions: "How will God be able to glorify Himself if I make this decision?"
That should be our first question, since glorifying God should be our primary motivation.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Principles for Suffering
Peter continues his discussion about suffering for the believer in chapter four of 1 Peter:
1. Suffering sanctifies (v 1-3). It gives new perspective on what is important and the value of living a holy life. We learn to use our time to flee sinful practices to be obedient to Christ.
2. Suffering is expected (v 12). Christ suffered and we should expect suffering. We'd like to live a life of ease, but that is not reality.
3. Suffering gives reason for rejoicing (v 13). Ouch! We'd rather moan and groan, but it is a ground for rejoicing.
4. Suffering is an evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God (v 14). It is only through the Spirit that we can consistently do good. When suffering for obedience comes along and we choose to cave in to the pressures and not continue to obey, then the Spirit is not in us, giving us the ability to live righteously.
5. Suffering should not be because of wrongdoing (v 15). A believer should not find himself in prison for crimes. He may be in prison for preaching the Gospel.
6. Suffering is a reason to glorify God (v 16). When we grasp the big picture of God's plan, we can glorify Him. He has counted us worthy to suffer as Christ suffered. He has proven His love and mercy by sustaining us.
7. Suffering causes us to trust God (v 17-19). When everyone else has turned against us, God is still there. When we realize that God is the righteous Judge, who knows our hearts, we can trust Him. Rather than listening to the attacks and complaints of the persecutors, we can trust God and His Word.
1. Suffering sanctifies (v 1-3). It gives new perspective on what is important and the value of living a holy life. We learn to use our time to flee sinful practices to be obedient to Christ.
2. Suffering is expected (v 12). Christ suffered and we should expect suffering. We'd like to live a life of ease, but that is not reality.
3. Suffering gives reason for rejoicing (v 13). Ouch! We'd rather moan and groan, but it is a ground for rejoicing.
4. Suffering is an evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God (v 14). It is only through the Spirit that we can consistently do good. When suffering for obedience comes along and we choose to cave in to the pressures and not continue to obey, then the Spirit is not in us, giving us the ability to live righteously.
5. Suffering should not be because of wrongdoing (v 15). A believer should not find himself in prison for crimes. He may be in prison for preaching the Gospel.
6. Suffering is a reason to glorify God (v 16). When we grasp the big picture of God's plan, we can glorify Him. He has counted us worthy to suffer as Christ suffered. He has proven His love and mercy by sustaining us.
7. Suffering causes us to trust God (v 17-19). When everyone else has turned against us, God is still there. When we realize that God is the righteous Judge, who knows our hearts, we can trust Him. Rather than listening to the attacks and complaints of the persecutors, we can trust God and His Word.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Better to Suffer
"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:17).
Often this passage is used as a motivation to witness in a hostile environment.
You share Christ and your friends make fun of you. That's better than going to jail for robbing a bank.
That may be a valid application, but I think there are other possibilities.
We can suffer for doing the right thing when we are obedient to Christ. And we can suffer at the hands of other believers.
In April 2011, the Lord worked in my heart through the preaching of His Word and I confessed sinful behaviors and struggles that had been plaguing me for over thirty years. I had thought that there was no hope of overcoming these temptations.
Like the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, the situation seemed hopeless. But when I cried out to Jesus, He has helped. As I have submitted myself to His will, I have seen great victory.
I did the right thing, but I have suffered.
My wife determined that she no longer wanted to work on our marriage and split our family. One of my sons refuses to communicate with me. I lost my job. I'll never be a pastor again. I'm carrying mattresses and couches. A large circle of acquaintances no longer has contact with me. My opportunities for teaching and discipling have vanished. Being ignored and avoided at church by people who are supposed to care is discouraging. Loneliness is constant.
But I know I did the right thing. I did what God commanded me to do. He has heard my prayer and gives me victory over temptation.
The suffering for doing good is not easy.
Doing right and having a clear conscience before God is better than suffering under a life of hidden sin.
Often this passage is used as a motivation to witness in a hostile environment.
You share Christ and your friends make fun of you. That's better than going to jail for robbing a bank.
That may be a valid application, but I think there are other possibilities.
We can suffer for doing the right thing when we are obedient to Christ. And we can suffer at the hands of other believers.
In April 2011, the Lord worked in my heart through the preaching of His Word and I confessed sinful behaviors and struggles that had been plaguing me for over thirty years. I had thought that there was no hope of overcoming these temptations.
Like the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, the situation seemed hopeless. But when I cried out to Jesus, He has helped. As I have submitted myself to His will, I have seen great victory.
I did the right thing, but I have suffered.
My wife determined that she no longer wanted to work on our marriage and split our family. One of my sons refuses to communicate with me. I lost my job. I'll never be a pastor again. I'm carrying mattresses and couches. A large circle of acquaintances no longer has contact with me. My opportunities for teaching and discipling have vanished. Being ignored and avoided at church by people who are supposed to care is discouraging. Loneliness is constant.
But I know I did the right thing. I did what God commanded me to do. He has heard my prayer and gives me victory over temptation.
The suffering for doing good is not easy.
Doing right and having a clear conscience before God is better than suffering under a life of hidden sin.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Shifting the Blame or Repenting?
Since the Garden of Eden, we have been blame-shifters.
Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the snake.
And so it has continued to this day.
My parents never taught me.
My church was too strict.
I don't have a college education.
She hit me first.
My boss doesn't understand me.
God addressed the same issue with the Israelites in Ezekiel 18.
God's conclusion: Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
If the good man starts doing bad things, he will be punished for his evil deeds.
If the evil man starts doing good things, he will be preserved.
If the father was bad, but the son was obedient to God, the son will be preserved and the father punished.
If the father was good, but the son turned out bad, the son will be punished and the father preserved.
The proper response then is not to shift the blame to anyone else. The proper response is to repent.
"Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" (Ezek 18:31).
Stop putting the blame on your spouse, your parents, your children, your boss, your church, God, or anyone else!
Choose to repent. Turn from your sins.
And do right!
Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the snake.
And so it has continued to this day.
My parents never taught me.
My church was too strict.
I don't have a college education.
She hit me first.
My boss doesn't understand me.
God addressed the same issue with the Israelites in Ezekiel 18.
God's conclusion: Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
If the good man starts doing bad things, he will be punished for his evil deeds.
If the evil man starts doing good things, he will be preserved.
If the father was bad, but the son was obedient to God, the son will be preserved and the father punished.
If the father was good, but the son turned out bad, the son will be punished and the father preserved.
The proper response then is not to shift the blame to anyone else. The proper response is to repent.
"Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" (Ezek 18:31).
Stop putting the blame on your spouse, your parents, your children, your boss, your church, God, or anyone else!
Choose to repent. Turn from your sins.
And do right!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Law or Liberality?
"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:16).
Peter addresses two extremes in Christianity: legalism and liberality.
The legalist makes a list of rights and wrongs. These are the things a real Christian does. These are the things a real Christian doesn't do.
He's got a checklist of standards by which he measures himself and others to determine spirituality.
On the other end is the liberal. He emphasizes his freedom in Christ.
There is no condemnation.
My sins are forgiven.
The blood of Christ has set me free.
Therefore, I can do whatever I want.
And if anyone tries to stop me, I pull out the "Judge not!" card.
Both extremes are wrong.
Live like a freed man. But don't use your freedom to sin.
After the fall of communism in Romania, chaos broke out. The people had been so oppressed by the government, that they thought all law was wrong. Stop signs were ignored. Anarchy reigned for a time.
Unfortunately, some Christians try to live like that, too. If I'm free from the law, then I don't have to follow any rules.
But if you look at the verses before and after this verse, you'll see a list of rules.
Our freedom is a freedom from sin and from the law. But not a freedom to do whatever we want. We must be careful students of the Word so that our lists don't go beyond what God expects. We must also be careful students of the Word so that we are doing what pleases Him and not ourselves.
Striving to please Christ - not ourselves and not others - must be our goal.
Living as a child of the King and not trying to earn His favor should be our standard. We are free to live, because we are accepted in the beloved.
Peter addresses two extremes in Christianity: legalism and liberality.
The legalist makes a list of rights and wrongs. These are the things a real Christian does. These are the things a real Christian doesn't do.
He's got a checklist of standards by which he measures himself and others to determine spirituality.
On the other end is the liberal. He emphasizes his freedom in Christ.
There is no condemnation.
My sins are forgiven.
The blood of Christ has set me free.
Therefore, I can do whatever I want.
And if anyone tries to stop me, I pull out the "Judge not!" card.
Both extremes are wrong.
Live like a freed man. But don't use your freedom to sin.
After the fall of communism in Romania, chaos broke out. The people had been so oppressed by the government, that they thought all law was wrong. Stop signs were ignored. Anarchy reigned for a time.
Unfortunately, some Christians try to live like that, too. If I'm free from the law, then I don't have to follow any rules.
But if you look at the verses before and after this verse, you'll see a list of rules.
Our freedom is a freedom from sin and from the law. But not a freedom to do whatever we want. We must be careful students of the Word so that our lists don't go beyond what God expects. We must also be careful students of the Word so that we are doing what pleases Him and not ourselves.
Striving to please Christ - not ourselves and not others - must be our goal.
Living as a child of the King and not trying to earn His favor should be our standard. We are free to live, because we are accepted in the beloved.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
You're a selfish pig!
"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" (James 4:1).
Usually, we think the other person starts an argument.
He did something.
She said something.
If she weren't so...
If he hadn't been so...
But James wrote that the cause for fights is not the other person. It's you. You're the one to blame.
"Your passions are at war within you."
Your desires are driving you. They are controlling your thoughts, words and actions.
What you want to satisfy your desires is greater than what you know is the right thing to do.
In other words, the arguments that you get into are because you are being selfish.
You're a selfish pig!
And that's an important lesson to remember.
When you realize that you are a selfish pig, you'll be willing to stop fighting for your rights and desires.
When you realize that you are a selfish pig, you'll be willing to stand up for the truth and not your wishes and dreams.
It's not a matter of becoming a door mat. It's not even a matter of just sitting back and letting the other person have whatever they want.
It's a matter of standing up for what God says is the right thing to do, to say and to be.
God's goal for you is to become like Christ. God's goal for the other person in your argument is to become like Christ.
So rather than wasting your energy to make the other person to be like you, (i.e. do what you want to do because you want to do it!), use that energy to help them to become like Christ.
Change your passion to becoming like Christ and let that passion drive you.
Those opportunities for argument will become opportunities for you to become like Christ.
Usually, we think the other person starts an argument.
He did something.
She said something.
If she weren't so...
If he hadn't been so...
But James wrote that the cause for fights is not the other person. It's you. You're the one to blame.
"Your passions are at war within you."
Your desires are driving you. They are controlling your thoughts, words and actions.
What you want to satisfy your desires is greater than what you know is the right thing to do.
In other words, the arguments that you get into are because you are being selfish.
You're a selfish pig!
And that's an important lesson to remember.
When you realize that you are a selfish pig, you'll be willing to stop fighting for your rights and desires.
When you realize that you are a selfish pig, you'll be willing to stand up for the truth and not your wishes and dreams.
It's not a matter of becoming a door mat. It's not even a matter of just sitting back and letting the other person have whatever they want.
It's a matter of standing up for what God says is the right thing to do, to say and to be.
God's goal for you is to become like Christ. God's goal for the other person in your argument is to become like Christ.
So rather than wasting your energy to make the other person to be like you, (i.e. do what you want to do because you want to do it!), use that energy to help them to become like Christ.
Change your passion to becoming like Christ and let that passion drive you.
Those opportunities for argument will become opportunities for you to become like Christ.
A Bountiful Harvest
"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18).
I had an opportunity today to fight fire with fire. Someone who has repeatedly hurt me for years did it again. A malicious accusatory tone came through in an e-mail and I wanted to fight back.
In fact, I did . But I slowed it down by asking for help. I spewed out the same venom that had been spit on me. But I sent my message to two brothers and asked for their help.
They both came back with the same response: take out the references to the other person. Take out the accusations. Attack the problem, not the person.
They were right. I was stirring up more problems than making peace.
I re-wrote my response. Not ignoring or denying the problems that the other person had created, just not giving more reasons for further attacks.
Will it end the abuse? Probably not.
Will it heal up old wounds? Not likely.
But I know that I have not done anything to further disrupt the relationship. Nothing that I've said has given ground for further attacks. I don't have to fear a caustic rebuttal.
And I'm thankful for the two brothers who toned me down and tuned my heart to God.
I had an opportunity today to fight fire with fire. Someone who has repeatedly hurt me for years did it again. A malicious accusatory tone came through in an e-mail and I wanted to fight back.
In fact, I did . But I slowed it down by asking for help. I spewed out the same venom that had been spit on me. But I sent my message to two brothers and asked for their help.
They both came back with the same response: take out the references to the other person. Take out the accusations. Attack the problem, not the person.
They were right. I was stirring up more problems than making peace.
I re-wrote my response. Not ignoring or denying the problems that the other person had created, just not giving more reasons for further attacks.
Will it end the abuse? Probably not.
Will it heal up old wounds? Not likely.
But I know that I have not done anything to further disrupt the relationship. Nothing that I've said has given ground for further attacks. I don't have to fear a caustic rebuttal.
And I'm thankful for the two brothers who toned me down and tuned my heart to God.
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