We’re human; we make mistakes; things happen. But unfortunately, kindness, compassion, and mercy are exchanged for rage and vengeance; simple mishaps can have grave repercussions. How long can we survive on this cold-heartless trajectory?
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21, NKJV).
The world needs to see God’s love in action.
When Jesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came to abide in each believer; therefore, the church is responsible for showing the world God’s love through her actions during this moral decline. I’ll admit; that it’s not always easy to restrain when confronted by rude hostility—but being a Christian isn’t easy; however, it is gratifying beyond measure.
Whenever hatred can engage you in a war of exchange, even though you got the last hateful word in—you lost; hate won. But, on the other hand, give God something to work with by operating in love—then the combatant isn’t just confronting flesh and blood, but the host of heaven who is backing you. Moreover, acting in love throws the agitator off balance—which I find pretty amusing.
Don’t let evil conquer you; you conquer evil by doing good.
Nonetheless, the restraint not to go toe-to-toe with the world doesn’t happen automatically; it takes effort and determination to use the power of God within to tone things down. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Read the Gospels and see how Jesus put haters in their place without falling into the enemy’s traps; our LORD represented His Father superlatively. Please note Jesus routinely spent time alone to commune and receive spiritual replenishment from God. It’s the church’s turn to stay equipped and take a stand; we must:
- Live our private and public lives as full-time representatives of heaven. (1 Corinthians 3:16; John 2:6)
- Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer should be like breathing—done most of the time unconsciously.
- Stay fully dressed for battle (Ephesians 6:11-18).
- Expect our faith’s endurance to be tested by experienced agitators. (James 1:3)
These days, we’ll never know when an innocent: Oops, could turn into an all-out war.
Stay in love!
© 2022
See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.