(2) Subtlety. You make jokes about their figure, family members and friends, etc., in order to belittle them.

This results in embarrassment for the person you're angry at, widens the gap between you and makes reconciliation impossible. Solomon writes: "He that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (Pr 11:13), and "Love covereth all sins" (Pr 10:12). Paul writes: "In malice be babes, but in understanding be mature" (1Co 14:20 NKJV).

Rule 6: Be part of the clean-up crew. We say, "They brought it on themselves. Let them get over it." They may have deserved it, but we can't walk away and leave open wounds to become infected. We "forgive, even as Christ...has forgiven" us (See Eph 4: 32). How did Christ forgive us? After we'd acknowledged, confessed and repented of our sins? No. "When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son" (Ro 5:10). God took the initiative, so forgive, before the other person asks for forgiveness. And should they remain your enemy for life, forgive them anyhow. That's mopping up after the war. Only then are you yourself forgiven, the wounds you inflicted healed, and your record before God expunged!

Page 3 of 3 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 3 | Next