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Forgive and be tenderhearted toward one another!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. As Christ followers, we are to reject all bitterness, wrath and uncontrolled anger. Instead, we need to be kind and tenderhearted to each other. The spirit of this age has deceived many in this day into thinking that we are in a battle with each other. However, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities. We must reject any thoughts or mindsets that would cause offense among each other. Instead, we must forgive one another, because this is the order of God. God in Christ forgave us, and He instructs us that even as He forgave us, we must forgive one another.

Ephesians 4:31 & 32 – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [i]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you”

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This is what will stop contentions!

There is much debate in this nation as to how words can stir up anger, hatred and strife. This is such a powerful truth. Proverbs 15:18 (AMP) says: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.” Another version (AMPC) says: “he who is slow to anger appeases contention”. When we let anger take over our mental and emotional states, it removes the logical and common sense filters that allow us to “think before speaking or acting”. We then go on a word or action tirade, and once it’s finished, the damage is done. We have probably hurt others with our words or actions, and might even have destroyed relationships. In some cases, people can lose their job, their spouse, a friend, and in some cases, even land in jail for hurting or even killing someone in a fit of rage. Ephesians 4:26 (EHV) says:“ Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. It’s not a sin to be angry. What is a sin is if you allow your anger to control your actions, thoughts and decisions, thus causing you to do things that are sinful in nature. Anger can be used constructively. You can break a bad habit if you get angry enough to begin the process of breaking the habit. In many cases, people will not do anything about a problem until they have had it and they can’t take it any more. Anger is a good servant but a bad master. So instead of immediately  giving in to anger, be slow to anger. Let patience have it’s work in the midst of the challenges of life. In doing so, you will be known as the person who can appease or calm potentially dangerous contentions and disputes. This way, issues will be resolved instead of relationships being destroyed. God is the God of peace, not of dissension and contention! We are His people, so let’s flow with His nature!