30 DAYS IN TAMING YOUR TONGUE DAY 24

DAY 24 THE RETALIATING TONGUE

According to English philosopher Francis Bacon “ A man that studies revenge keeps his own wound green, which otherwise would head and do well” Retaliation makes us feel that justice has been satisfied when we have been wronged.

There is nothing as easy as verbal retaliation. The thrill of it is only a fleeting pleasure for those who love God; the remorse for succumbing to this sin tends to linger. Some find it one of their biggest challenges.

Can you recall an instance of returning a negative response directly to someone? Your spouse, a co-worker, a friend. Do you feel that if you don’t respond that it makes you weak, a wimp or a doormat?

Retaliate root meaning is “return the punishment”. The Bible is VERY clear in admonishing us to avoid retaliation. “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 in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, 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 NLT

If you strike out, it is because you have ignored the urging

 of the Holy Spirit and made a conscious decision to take God’s job by returning the punishment. You response requires humility, a desire to understand the other person behavior and a commitment to obey and glorify God.

Try to stay mindful of the fact that when we decide that it is our personal responsibility to avenge the wrongs perpetrated against us, we have crossed the boundary into forbidden territory

READINGS AND REFLECTIONS.

1 PETER 3:9   PSALM 94:1    1 PETER 2:23 ROMANS 12:17-21

1)               Read Matthew 5:44. What are the four things Jesus said we must do for an enemy? Which of the four actions do you find the most problematic?

2)              According to Proverbs 24:17-18, how are you to respond when we hear that misfortune has come to our enemies?

3)              Jesus is our ultimate example of how to respond to suffering at the hand of others. What is his model as explained in 1 Peter 2:23