Don't let hate be normal!

 

Anger, rage, hate, harsh words, slander, lies, all seem to have reached the place of NORMALCY in our country. The louder the objection, the more violent the response, the more attention drawn to your viewpoint. We are caught in this very vicious cycle that feeds upon itself. HATE breeds more hate. ANGER begets more anger. Their side lies, so we lie. Of course politics leads the way as the topic that spurs the most DIVISION. Hate has gotten to be normal and expected. 

"And 'don't sin by letting anger control you.' Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, NLT)

I love the advice of Ephesians 4. Verse 21 talks about what we should have learned from Christ. We should learn that telling the truth is the only was to speak. We should have been coached against lust and deception and if our lives are not changed by JESUS, are we really following him? As a follower of Jesus we cannot let anger control us, we need to live like JESUS is living inside us. Verse 31 says:

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God though Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NLT)

As followers of JESUS we need to set the example. We need to be the standard of righteousness. We need to stop joining the battle of words. We need to speak out, in love, for decency, kindness and toleration in love. We need to wait before we respond to hate. We need to THINK before we respond to the attacks of the enemy. Stop talking about things that divide and talk about things from ABOVE. 

We must be different than the world.

"Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God --- truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:21-24, NLT)

Lord help renew our minds, push out all thoughts that are not from you. Please, Lord, guide and direct our words and actions that we would constantly direct others to you. Guard our hearts, do not let them harden because of the world. We need your special hand of protection and help us to be your light in an ever growing darkness. Amen!

____________________________________________

If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!