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Proverbs 18
During my sermon last Sunday I shared a paragraph from my journal. Even though it was awkward I believe that ministry from the overflow and transparency are more effective tools than razor sharp public speaking and hand gestures.
Today as I was reading Proverbs 18 I was reminded of what I shared with you in regards to "bitterness" from my journal. Proverbs 18:19 says, "A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle." Isn't that true? Approaching an offended person can be like approaching a wounded animal, it can be somewhat dangerous and irrational. The relationship is impossible until the offended party has a yielding spirit to God and to the situation. Until then it feels like we're still on our first round of marching around Jericho (or whatever the "strong city" is in Prov 18:19). But when release does take place, what a beautiful thing. You see, no one needs to be proven right in order for bitterness to flee and for the warmth of relationship to come flooding in. Bitterness is a sin beyond being right while someone else is wrong, bitterness is a sneaky choice that once made must be rooted out. Here is what I read on Sunday from my journal:
"I speak of getting rid of bitterness as 'getting over it' and as 'being the bigger person'. I perceive bitterness to be my storing up the wrongs against me inside of me where they pain me and affect my relationships with others. When I 'get over it' I feel like the offending party is lucky and I’m basically doing me and everyone else a big favor . . . besides, I feel better afterward anyway. But when I 'get over it' I’m not doing something good, no one is being done a favor. No, when I cease being bitter I simply cease committing that one awful and destructive sin. In God’s eyes it is between him and I and the sin is significant. When I 'get over it' it is like a serial killer just gave up murdering or a rapist his assaults on women. What I’m asking myself is, 'do I think bitterness is a mere matter of emotion (i.e. feeling good vs. bad)? or do I view bitterness as a sin against God that will be used by Satan for the destruction of myself and the relationships around me?"
Thanks for listening, I love you. - Caleb Widmer
Prayer Focus:
The second half of the Proverbs 18:19 says, "quarreling is like the bars of the castle", brothers and sisters I can't help but think of the corporate implications of our personal bitterness. Our unresolved spirits do not stay inside of us they communicate with others and our church can sometimes feel like there are "bars on the castle". Will you at least examine your own spirit, is there a root of bitterness in you? Are you "committing" bitterness? As I said a few days ago, your own personal, spiritual health will contribute greatly to our overall health.
Proverbs 18
During my sermon last Sunday I shared a paragraph from my journal. Even though it was awkward I believe that ministry from the overflow and transparency are more effective tools than razor sharp public speaking and hand gestures.
Today as I was reading Proverbs 18 I was reminded of what I shared with you in regards to "bitterness" from my journal. Proverbs 18:19 says, "A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle." Isn't that true? Approaching an offended person can be like approaching a wounded animal, it can be somewhat dangerous and irrational. The relationship is impossible until the offended party has a yielding spirit to God and to the situation. Until then it feels like we're still on our first round of marching around Jericho (or whatever the "strong city" is in Prov 18:19). But when release does take place, what a beautiful thing. You see, no one needs to be proven right in order for bitterness to flee and for the warmth of relationship to come flooding in. Bitterness is a sin beyond being right while someone else is wrong, bitterness is a sneaky choice that once made must be rooted out. Here is what I read on Sunday from my journal:
"I speak of getting rid of bitterness as 'getting over it' and as 'being the bigger person'. I perceive bitterness to be my storing up the wrongs against me inside of me where they pain me and affect my relationships with others. When I 'get over it' I feel like the offending party is lucky and I’m basically doing me and everyone else a big favor . . . besides, I feel better afterward anyway. But when I 'get over it' I’m not doing something good, no one is being done a favor. No, when I cease being bitter I simply cease committing that one awful and destructive sin. In God’s eyes it is between him and I and the sin is significant. When I 'get over it' it is like a serial killer just gave up murdering or a rapist his assaults on women. What I’m asking myself is, 'do I think bitterness is a mere matter of emotion (i.e. feeling good vs. bad)? or do I view bitterness as a sin against God that will be used by Satan for the destruction of myself and the relationships around me?"
Thanks for listening, I love you. - Caleb Widmer
Prayer Focus:
The second half of the Proverbs 18:19 says, "quarreling is like the bars of the castle", brothers and sisters I can't help but think of the corporate implications of our personal bitterness. Our unresolved spirits do not stay inside of us they communicate with others and our church can sometimes feel like there are "bars on the castle". Will you at least examine your own spirit, is there a root of bitterness in you? Are you "committing" bitterness? As I said a few days ago, your own personal, spiritual health will contribute greatly to our overall health.
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