Have you ever blown up at someone and regretted it later? Was that person your boss or a leader making you feel even worse after?
I think everyone has or will loose their cool sometime in life. It doesn't mean you cussed someone out. But maybe you had too much "sass" or just didn't close your mouth soon enough!
Well that's what came to mind during our Wednesday Bible Study.
We are studying in the book of Acts, taking a look at Paul's Brave Journey to spread the good news!
He came under a lot of fire for preaching about Jesus, even had to go before the Sanhedrin. Or what we call, just to make it easy to understand the "Supreme Court."
Bottom line is people were mean to Paul.
1-3Paul surveyed the members of the council with a steady gaze, and then said his piece: "Friends, I've lived with a clear conscience before God all my life, up to this very moment." That set the Chief Priest Ananias off. He ordered his aides to slap Paul in the face. Paul shot back, "God will slap you down! What a fake you are! You sit there and judge me by the Law and then break the Law by ordering me slapped around!"
4The aides were scandalized: "How dare you talk to God's Chief Priest like that!"
5Paul acted surprised. "How was I to know he was Chief Priest? He doesn't act like a Chief Priest. You're right, the Scripture does say, 'Don't speak abusively to a ruler of the people.' Sorry." (The Message Translation)
Although most would agree Paul had every right to stand up to Ananias, and say what he said, even Paul is quietly reminded of a good point.
Respecting our leaders.
It's brought up more than once in the Bible!
But the good news is you don't have to beat yourself up if you do fail. Instead pray for forgiveness, but don't stop there. Also pray for God's Wisdom and for him to either give you the words to speak (or not speak) EVEN when you are being done wrong.
Because as Romans 12:19-21 shows us, God has your back!
Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
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