Have you ever watched 2 children get in to a fight? One child hits the other. The other child hits back. The first child decides that he was hit harder than he hit the other child. He hits back a little harder. On and on it goes.
As adults, hopefully we would not sit by and watch children behave that way.
Have you ever seen adults seek vengeance? Often adults play mind control and power games instead of hitting. Those games may be a form of vengeance or they may exist all on their own.
Do you know any adults like that?
Perhaps you are not familiar with what I mean.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I am not going to forgive him or her unless they do this or that”? That’s bribery.
Have you ever heard, “Remember when you did “blank”? That is an attempt to embarrass or control.
A lot of people, women in particular, find themselves in situations where they don’t want to leave because of the threats and power games. Often the tool that is used is, “If you love me, then prove it.” Here’s another one. “If you leave, don’t come back.”
People who do these things are not necessarily withholding forgiveness. They could be, but more than likely they just want to control the other person. Telling their victim they are withholding forgiveness is just a way to get what they want.
If you are around someone who wants to control you by playing with your self-esteem, remember that you are who God says you are. If fear is tied to the situation – fear they will leave or fear they won’t forgive for example, remember that fear is not from God.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
What does our attitude need to be when dealing with folks that want to gain control with harsh words?
First, we need to remember that if we are a Christian, we are a child of God.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Then we need to remember what Jesus said.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Today’s challenge is to have a proper attitude about ourselves. We need to recognize that we are God’s workmanship and God’s child. Then, we need to have the proper attitude about others. God has good works for us to accomplish. When others try to tie us up with games and power plays, we need to remember what God would have us to do.