When people hurt your feelings…when words are barbed arrows which penetrate your mind and heart…how do you react or respond?
When hurtful looks, actions and words are hurled at you, what can be planted as the tiniest of seeds?

Here is one list from Ephesians 4:31:
Bitterness = sourness results
Wrath = rage, ire, fury can spring into life
Anger = growling and snarling like an animal can be exhibited
Clamor = uproar, tumult can rule your emotions
Slander = libel, accusation can be your weapon
Malice = hostility, hatred toward that one who has treated you unfairly

What a list!  What does God’s word say about such negative attitudes and reactions which are debilitating to you?
(NASB) Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Put away the negative reactions – don’t let those tiniest of seeds take root and grow in your thinking and your life.  Those attitudes are hurtful to you…they are burdens not worth bearing.

Who is responsible for what you allow to take root in your thinking and is revealed in your words and actions?

You are…no one else…no matter what others say or do against you.

Those burdens are not worth bearing by you.

Another’s bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice is not your responsibility.  It is theirs.

They need your prayers, your forgiveness and the love of God through you.

So what burdens are you carrying which need to be jettisoned?  Put them away from you…God said so.

 

[Tomorrow we will examine what actions are pleasing to God…]