My heart heavy, I was tempted to park my grocery cart and interrupt their conversation. Though I hadn’t heard the entirety of their acidic discussion, I caught enough to know the four shoppers were deeply dissatisfied with individuals at their local church. Ironically, not one of them looked any happier for their venting. I didn’t know them, those they were talking about, or even their church, but I grieved over this verbal ripping apart of the body of Christ in a public store aisle.
To verbally destroy one who has been created in God’s image is not only inconsistent with the character of Christ, but our disparaging comments grieve the Holy Spirit as well (Ephesians 4:30). We may pretend to tolerate those who frustrate us or make us angry, but the words we speak about them are a direct window into our hearts (Ephesians 4:15,29; Luke 6:45).
Granted, every local church has its issues, and invariably even the healthiest of congregations will experience times of conflict. But the defining mark of Jesus’ transformation in us is the way we address our differences within the body. In the times when our concerns with a fellow believer are justified, we should look to Scripture to find the appropriate response (Matthew 18:15-17). Gossip can only create more trouble.
We’ve all acted like those shoppers at times—dishing out destructive words. But Paul tells us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” (Ephesians 4:31). We’re to be a distinctive people who value and respect others as we “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). And as we submit to the Holy Spirit, Christ-honoring words will flow from our hearts and mouths.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 40:1-38
More:
Read Jude 1:20-21 and consider what it means to build up other believers instead of tearing them down.
Next:
How can we work through our grievances with others in the body of Christ in a Christlike manner? Why are we tempted to tear people apart verbally behind their backs?
Gary Shultz on February 17, 2016 at 6:44 am
You have certainly carved out some principles in body living. Anyone participating in habitual condemnation of another believer in Christ has very limited knowledge of what our Father expects from His children. Ok, it’s difficult to get along with every person; however, we are seen by how we treat the other believers. I know it’s easy to point the finger, but if they would have taken that time to pray for those irritating members both would have been lifted. Thanks Regina, we need to be proactive thinkers.
Regina Franklin on February 17, 2016 at 7:27 pm
Thanks, Gary–you make a great point about it being difficult to get along with everyone. We can disagree with others and still treat one another with honor.
gagirllive on February 17, 2016 at 7:16 am
Ah, poorly handled church conflicts…nothing could be more grievous to our Lord. He paid too high a price for us to act so carelessly. Yet, this matter of putting off the sins of the flesh and putting on Christ and walking in the Spirit is our daily battle. Christ’s Body is only as healthy as its individual members, so it is imperative that we die to those things that bring harm to the Body and ruin our witness to a watching world. I don’t think we really see ourselves as being a part of one another. Hurting you means I’m hurting myself…and most of all, hurting Him. I think we need to remember what Jesus said about the greatest commandment. Great word for today, Regina. Thank you!
Regina Franklin on February 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Good word gagirl–“Christ’s Body is only as healthy as its individual members.” The way we handle our conflicts often leaves us looking more like a dismembered war refugee rather than His radiant bride. But as we begin to make choices as individuals, we begin to transform the body.
sandy229 on February 17, 2016 at 9:17 am
Thanks Regina for today’s devotional. This reminds me of what happened with my step Mother. Some new people came in the church and tried to take over, and in the process, many were affected. A lot happened but one of the really bad things was that this person who was trying to take over the church, went to her daughter’s place of employment (Burger King) and told her daughter to tell her Mother she couldn’t be in the Choir anymore because she didn’t know how to sing. Many people were hurt by this, my step Mom probably hurt the most, but in a public place like this, really? Many similar things happened, and long story short….the church split in half as many more were affected by this.
jim spillane on February 17, 2016 at 1:25 pm
sandy229 – I’m so sorry hear about this situation at your stepmother’s church. As I was reading your comment, I felt as though I might be able to understand a bit better what the “grieving of the Holy Spirit” might mean, as those words that were spoken by the one trying to take over the church were only meant to tear down and not to build up. Unfortunately, it happens much too often, and not only at church. Regina asked the question of why we are tempted to tear people apart verbally, and I think that part of the answer is contained in the question, and that is because we are “tempted.” As the Lord’s Prayer states, “lead us not into temptation,” a statement that is much more difficult to practice than it is to preach. Blessings to you and yours.
sandy229 on February 17, 2016 at 10:09 pm
That church ended up splitting because of this and other things he did, like when the assistant Pastor was away, he took a vote to vote him out and called and told him he didn’t need to come back. The thing is, not one person said they voted him out, so he probably made that up, then he got rid of the Sr. Pastor somehow too. He deceived a lot of people. Be Blessed as you have blessed me.
Regina Franklin on February 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Good word gagirl–“Christ’s Body is only as healthy as its individual members.” The way we handle our conflicts often leaves us looking more like a dismembered war refugee rather than His radiant bride. But as we begin to make choices as individuals, we begin to transform the body.
Regina Franklin on February 17, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Sandy–I am so sorry for the hurt you and your step mom have experienced. I have been through a church split, and while God worked in differing ways in the lives of those it affected, it has been almost ten years and yet at times it feels like it was only yesterday. The most important lesson I have learned in the healing process is that while I can’t control the choicesnof others, I can control how I allow those experiences to shape me.
sandy229 on February 17, 2016 at 10:05 pm
Yes, thankfully through all that happened with that church, half the people are now at the church I call home. I call it home because the first time I ever went there, I felt like I was finally home! It was amazing! I hadn’t gone to church in a while and the church my step mom was going to before, I did not go there but she left that church and then one day I just called her and ask her if I could go to church with her, little did I know she had been praying for me and my hubby. It all turned out well because that was when I rededicated my life to God and let go of the tiny part of me I had always held back and gave myself completely to God. So I really believe it was meant to be. My husband is still not saved, but he does pray with me at meals, something he never did before and I have been praying for him. The other day he told me that he really believes that God has been there for him his whole life and carried him through the hard times. Anyway, the church I go to now is amazing and the preacher preaches out of the Bible every week. This is the friendliest church I have ever gone to. I know my husband likes the church too so I am hoping he will start going with me. He only goes when they have a choir special, but at least it’s a start. I didn’t mean to get carried away here, thanks so much for your kind words. oh also I might add is that I was asked to take over this Sunday school class for widows and I never ever thought I would be teaching Sunday School. I am just an ordinary person like Moses was. I really like it though and God has done so much for me in this in that those I teach really like my teaching and I am learning more and more by doing this. I am truly grateful to God for all He has done for me.
stayingpowernone on February 17, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Yes Sandy229, its said to say there are hypocrites in all walks of life even in and out of Church. This even includes myself for we are all sinners and “Perfection is in Heaven” Our Lord Savior. I myself, when caught in similar situations reflect were I have done wrong throughout my day and promptly admitted to the Lord and to the Individual in question and let the Lord guide the way. It does not mean hurtful things don’t happen in Church, but in anything in life it’s sad to say at times politics are a play. We MUST learn to strive for “singleness of purpose” and put “principles before personalities” and always. always “investigate before contempt!” When I adhere to the advises giving to me so long ago I found I was “Striving for Perfection, but achieving Excellence along the way, but remember my reference to Perfection earlier, which we can never reach, but emulate!
Bud