Practice


I remember spending hours and hours outside growing up, shooting baskets. All I wanted to do was play basketball! So I would practice, working on getting better and better at as many basketball skills as I could. I enjoyed basketball, so I put in the time to get better, but what about those things that we don’t enjoy? Unless we are naturally gifted in things most people don’t enjoy doing, we tend to write it off as unnecessary. I personally am not a fan of biology, so It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that my Biology grade in high-school wasn’t that great, and I didn’t pursue further education in Biology in college. When we find something challenging it really isn’t something we want to invest time into. When it comes to bitterness, and anger, it is easier to just let these emotions run wild, but these aren’t characteristics of love. We should constantly be practicing the message in Ephesians 4:31, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” These things have the ability to destroy the lives of those we love the most, and not one of these is a characteristic of Christ. So, while it may not be something we enjoy, we must practice getting rid of these issues in our life so as to benefit others.

Further reading: Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 6:14-15, Proverbs 10:12

Ephesians 4:31-32

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Hebrews 12:15

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Matthew 6:14-15

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up quarrels,
    but love makes up for all offenses.

Posted on April 14, 2020 | View All Posts