“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from, along with all malice. 32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
I felt moved to write about grudges today. It is something that we all have to deal with, and that we all need to get out of our hearts and minds. Webster defined it: “a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment.” “Persistent” is the key word. It began with anger over something, and that something has been internalized and rules in your heart – persistently. What is wrong with grudges? Grudges are bad for us personally. When we persistently hold ill will against someone, it literally robs us of peace of mind and heart. Persistent ill will can also ruin our health. Grudges can stunt, or halt, our spiritual growth. Think of it: We are saved by the grace of God. This means that grace becomes a part of our lives. We are to act toward other people with grace. If we are filled with bitterness and hatred, we cannot practice grace towards other people. Grudges interfere with our prayers. Really, if you are holding a grudge against someone, do you, or can you, really pray for them? What we need to pray is for the Holy Spirit to remove that grudge so that He can help us in our growth in Christ. Grudges hurt our witness for Christ. People are not drawn spiritually toward bitter and resentful people. What do we need to do about our persistent ill feelings towards other people? Paul gives the answer in the next verse. He wrote, “be kind to one another.” That advice might have blown someone’s mind. You might ask, “Do you really think that I can be kind to that person?” Hey, you might give it a try. For example, bake him her a cake, or, more likely, go to the bakery and get a cake, and take it to the person who is eating away at your witness and, for that matter your health. Paul followed that with be “tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” Grudges make us grow callous in our outlook on life. To be tenderhearted is to be merciful. (Doesn’t that look something like Jesus?) I tell myself, when I get peeved at someone and they are beginning to, let us say, get on my nerves, I know that I need to forgive them. Why? Let’s let Paul answer that question: “…forgiving one another, as Christ forgave you.” It’s not always easy but it will always be Christlike. Come on! Let it go! Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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September 2021
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