“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do…”
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
Sometimes I think I need the words of 1 PETER 3:8-9 tattooed on my forehead. This way I could read them every time I look into a mirror.
Sometimes I think I need the words of 1 PETER 3:8-9 tattooed on my hands. This way I could look down and read them, whenever I’m being challenged or insulted.
Sometimes I think I need the words of 1 PETER 3:8-9 tattooed on my chest. This way I have a reminder that my heart is affected deeply, by my actions and the words I speak.
How I wish my flesh was not so prone to anger, insult, and retaliation. The gratification these things give me is temporary and ultimately unsatisfying, but their allure influences my actions all too often. It’s so easy to hate….to curse…to let emotion overwhelm the goodness in me. It’s so easy when it seems the whole world is thriving in the wake of uncontrollable emotional narcissism.
And yet, Peter says that God has called us to be the opposite. To dig deep and to push back against the evils that our flesh long to express. Sympathy, love, compassion, humility…these are the values that Peter says God wants us to develop. Jesus is not impressed with our retaliations, comebacks, and self-indulgences. He’s not impressed when we use our knowledge and beliefs to cut others down.
We live in a culture where people value BEING RIGHT and BEING HEARD, at all cost! Forget the consequences and forget who our outbursts might hurt or exclude. We get lost in our AGENDAS and forget the words of Jesus that should be whispering in our ears, “I have come down from Heaven not to pursue My own agenda but to do what He desires. I am here on behalf of the Father who sent Me. He sent Me to care for all He has given Me so that nothing and no one will perish. In the end, on the last day, He wants everything to be resurrected into new life.” --John 6:35-39 (VOICE)
I think it’s fitting that it was Peter…the disciple with the reputation for having a short temper, the one who cut off the high priests servant, Malchus’s ear, when Jesus was being arrested; that impresses on the believer the importance of keeping our emotions and actions in check. He of all people understood the weakness found in hate and retribution. And as so many of us are the same, we can benefit from his wise council.
Why do we take anger beyond its purpose? Why do we lash out uncontrollably when we’re pressed?
The world will tell you that you’re just being passionate and you’re justified. Heck, I’ve told myself that very thing as well. But I think the truth is we act out negatively because of our fears and not wanting to suffer because of another person’s beliefs and agenda’s that might conflict with our own. We don’t like the feeling that what we believe and value is under threat or that we might have to compromise to another’s convictions.
Brothers and sister, I’m not telling you that you’re right or wrong in what you’re standing up for. But how you choose to respond reveals more about the state of your heart than you realize. Peter also says, “Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clean.” --1 Peter 3:13-16 (VOICE)
Remember brothers and sisters, if you’re reacting out of fear and responding with negligence and wrath…you’ve strayed from the will God has for you...and you might not ever be heard.
Bless those that curse you. Bless those that insult you.
This isn’t coming from me....this is what God wants of us all.
So try it.
You might find that your voice is better heard and more effective when you’re blessing others, then when you’re screaming at them amongst the crowd.
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