Day 24 - The Retaliating Tongue

Revelations 6 - Opening the Fifth Seal to Avenge the Blood of the Martyrs

Day 24 - The Retaliating Tongue

"Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it." 1 Peter 3:9

How easy it is for us to retaliate with our tongue! But then comes remorse...or we should feel remorse if we are God's children. The Holy Spirit lives in you--He convicts, guides, and works in you to sanctify you for God's good works.

Another confession...this is a big one for me to overcome. I get fleeting pleasure sending "zingers" to people who have hurt me, wronged me, made me feel small. Now before you pat yourself on the back, 'I don't do this, it isn't a stonghold for me,' think about it. If you don't launch a zinger back at the offender--do you share with your spouse, your admin, your co-workers what you would have said? I know, it hurts to look in that mirror!

To be completely free from this sin, oh yes, it is a sin, you must allow the Holy Spirit to convict you and then pray to not only stop slinging to the offender, not sharing what you would have done with others, but also PRAY FOR YOUR OFFENDER! Now, this is a prayer for blessing and not for cursing (Lord, forgive me for the many times I pretended to pray for my accusers but really wanted to feel superior in front of you--how unworthy I am to have received your grace freely).

Like author Pegues, I grew up watching people 'suffer in silence'. My mother had a gift for remaining silent and joyful in the face of some nasty comments and accusations about her family, her children, her choices. I don't recall a time when she took us aside and said anything negative about the offenders. It made me BOIL. I made a pact with myself--I would always speak out for myself and the underdog, how dare people do that to the defenseless.

Through many trials, errors, humiliations, and admonishments, I found this way just doesn't work. My husband once called me "Norma Rae". I was proud of that moniker for a time. I thought, see I am for the little person--they need me to stick-up for them. If not me, then who?

Problem was that given the chance, most people didn't want a savior and given the opportunity to offer the sufferers the ultimate Avenger, God Almighty our Christ, I put myself in the place of Jesus--I will save the day!

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live peaceably with everyone, as much as possible. Beloved, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord". Romans 12:17-19

Just for today, like Jesus did on His way to the Cross, don't defend yourselves from false accusations or rumors or innuendo. Don't defend capable adults from wrong. Don't vent negatively to your spouse, partner, friends, or co-wo0rkers. You'll grow. Now it won't be easy especially if you have a heart for the downtrodden as I do--but, if you allow Him, the Holy Spirit will give you a spirit of discernment to know when to properly defend the defenseless and when to let it go and let God.

If you try this, that heart on your sleeve that is shaped like a serpents tongue coming out of a fist--will become smooth and vibrant and loving as a heart should be. Praises be to the Living God, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Him who was, and is and is to come. Sister Lisa

AFFIRMATION: Lord, I trust you to give me the power of love, the power of forgiveness and the desire to act in kindness. You are all knowing, all seeing and there is no need to defend myself today; Christ paid the ultimate price for me and for that I am eternally grateful.

Oh, let me clean-up about my husband's comment about being Norma Rae, see the next post!