Goodly Words

I've noticed a new trick of the enemy of our souls. he seeks to confuse God's children about what the application of forgiveness really should be.
What i mean is,...some have confused unforgiveness for a righteous reaction to an attack. it's not wrong to have emotions,..emotions are neither good nor bad,.they just are. what makes forgiveness an issue is when you harbor something or carry ill feelings. a grudge,..an offended and wounded spirit.

When a person attacks your character or offends you with words,..you are NOT the one who is responsible for reconciliation provided you have made the attempt to quell the hostility . Scripture tells us to try and win back our offended brother,..but if they refuse to reconcile with you, you've done your part and should have a clean conscience with God. Unless you have refused to let go of a hurt and it effects how you feel towards someone, it is the OFFENDER who needs to get it right, NOT YOU, ........as long as you continue to render love for hate,..and kindness for insult, you are in right standing before God.....no matter how much fury has been generated in the discourse.

I see time and again when two are enguaged in something heated,..another will jump in and rebuke both parties or even the one who's been injured without cause, alone. This is where Spiritual discernment is gravely lacking.....again,..given the good guy isnt party to the same kind of mean-spirited strife and arguing.

But where was it written that you are to remain as a sheep to the slaughter as if Jesus doing that was an example to every situation?..it wasnt. We're told not to render evil for evil or railing for railing, but rather blessing knowing you yourselves were blessed..(1 peter 3:9) . You cant render a blessing verbally if you're a silent lamb headed for slaughter. .... we're told to be an example in word and conversation (1 tim 4:12)

If we're challenged on your faith, we're called to give an answer for our hope,..we're told to uphold the righteous standard we live by and not be shy in speaking it in love.....just because your fellow is at odds with YOU,..doesnt mean you are somehow guilty of contention and argumentiveness...or not "forgiving".

People are way too hasty to throw out a quick rebuke to contending chatters before they have information enough to know who is attacking and who is making a righteous stand (proverbs 26:17)....arguments if they are respectful are not wrong,...paul argued daily in the temple. It's ok to have a courtious exchange of ideas back and forth, although i admit that its mostly fleshly contention motivated by pride that is going on in there. We should be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater and lash out at the poor brother who was trying to give his counterpoints respecfully.

The enemy wants to confuse and put us at odds with one another,..and, at least in the chat rooms,..he's certainly delighted with his success no doubt.

( genesis 49:21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.)