Insult for Insult

Well, yesterday I failed an important test.  I failed the test of responding well and responding like Jesus.  I realized how alive and active my flesh still is and how much I need the grace of God in every moment of my life.

• Have you ever had someone throw a blow at you with words and it hits your heart like an atom bomb?  
• When someone insults your heart and your integrity without really knowing you?  
• When someone sees you partially and then makes a snap shot judgement of you?  
• Do you feel that tug in your heart that whispers, "smack 'em back"?  

Well, that was my day today!  For six months, I have been suffering with extreme head and neck pain. I found out today from my neurosurgeon that I will be having neck and spinal surgery in about a week.  My mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts, emotions, fears and feelings. I was wobbling between fully trusting God and then to fear of what might happen.


During the day, I got a text from someone and the words were not very kind and loving.  I found that my heart wanted to respond in the same way back to them - with attitude.  I found this voice in my head that said, "well, you want to insult me, well...I will insult you!"  Oh Lord, have mercy on me!


God's Word is so clear, that the world will know Jesus by how we as Christians treat each other.  God's Word is also clear in how he wants us to respond to insults, to betrayals, and to persecutions that can come by well-meaning Christians.  He wants our heart clean and pure so that when these things do come (and they will) that we respond as Christ would so that He can be seen, known and loved.
  
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  John 13:34 NIV


"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:35 NIV


"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."  Romans 12:10 NIV


God's Word always gives us a clear answer to those questions.  How do we respond to those who insult us, those who speak evil against us, those who persecute us?  Here are four simple truths I have found that I stand on when we feel our flesh wanting to respond in the same spirit back.  This is the place I take myself back to when I have fallen short of God's best for me.


1.  Pray for Them!


First, we need to pray for them.  Instead of wanting to respond with the same attitude back.  We need to turn our hearts to praying for them!


"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  Matthew 5:43-45 NIV




2.  Bless Them!


Second, we need to begin to bless them.  We need to make choice in our will to not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but we must choose to always respond by blessing those who insult us!  We must represent Jesus well in our responses if we want the world to know who Jesus is.


"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."  1 Peter 3:9 NIV


3. Forgive Them!


Third, we need to forgive them and forgive ourselves.  God's forgiveness is always readily available to those who turn their heart to him.


"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  Matthew 6:14-15 NIV


4.  Guard Your Heart!


Finally, guard your heart.  Not everyone who is in your life is sent by God, and not everyone is healthy.  God's Word is clear, we are to guard our hearts because it is the place where Jesus Christ lives in us.  We must be clear and discerning in the relationships we have and walk with those God has called us to walk with in life and in ministry.  Even Jesus knew who the 3 were, who the 12 were, who the 72 were and who was in the multitudes.  Not everyone can nor should have access to our hearts or our lives.


"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  Proverbs 4:23


Lord,


I pray Lord that you would forgive me for that part of my heart, my flesh that still wants to repay insult with insult.  Lord, purify my heart to more actively represent you in my dealings and in all my relationships.  Continue Lord to show me who YOU have places into my life and help me to have better boundaries with my time, my talent and my treasures.  Thank you Lord for grabbing a hold of my heart and bringing me back to truth.  Your truth is always a lamp unto my feet, and will never fail in leading us.  I love you Jesus, in your name I pray, Amen.