Month: December 2024

In This Issue:
Bound by Bitterness
Advice on How to Have a Good Testimony
Forgive

Volume: 987    December 30, 2024
Theme: Bitterness

The  Daily View is a free, daily devotion.  Sign up (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M), and you will be e-mailed a link to read or HEAR a KJV chapter and a short commentary (200-700 words) of something taught in the day’s reading.  The e-mail will include a mini-sermon in pictures, a prayer list, Thought for The Day, and short articles reinforcing biblical principles.

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Bound by Bitterness
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most devastating human emotions can be feelings of bitterness.  Its strangling grasp can creep into our lives.  Sometimes, we do not know how much it consumes our thoughts and feelings.  Before we know it, we are captured in the claws of the sin of unforgiveness.

Perhaps it started with hurt feelings over what was said, another’s actions, or even a lack of response.  We mull it over and over.  It festers in our gut.  Our spirit may even be crushed.  

We can get hard feelings about the person that offended us.  Perhaps those hurt want to get “even” with the other person.  Before long, hurt feelings can lead to different actions, including slander against the offending person or avoidance of that person.

The hurt accomplished may not even be recognized by the “offender”.  They may not have a clue as to how one is reacting to their remarks or actions, yet the offendee’s bitterness burrows deeper and deeper into one’s life.

Holding a grudge against another can be so devastating to some that it affects their health.  Anger can be a result of bitterness.  When angry, adrenaline and other hormones are released into the bloodstream, causing high blood pressure and a faster beating heart.  Depression, ulcers, heart attack, and stroke have also been linked to those that are controlled by the stress of bitterness and unforgiveness.  Not forgiving and not attempting to forget the offense can also lead people to do or say things to the offender that they would never think of doing or saying.  Bitterness can indeed affect a person’s life.

All have wrongs done to them sometime in their lives that hurt their feelings.  Some let them roll off their shoulders and continue with their lives; others stew and never let go of what another has done to them.  

The Bible has much to say about bitterness and forgiving one another.  Here is a glimpse of what is said in the Bible:

• God says not to be bitter and hold a grudge!  “It’s not that easy not to be bitter,” is often said.  That is true.  No sin is easy to stop.  To have a healthy life and a good relationship with God, bitterness must be halted.
  “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour [to complain, utter loud noises], and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” Ephesians 4:31
• Forgive those who have wronged you.
  “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Luke 17:3
• Christ knows all you did, yet He still has forgiven all you have done if you are saved!  (John 3:16)
  “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32   Also: Col. 3:13.
• Do not worry and occupy your thoughts with what another has done to you.  The gateway to bitterness is the thought gate.  Once an idea gets in and is contemplated, it does more damage the more it is entertained in one’s thought life.  Do not let yourself dwell on it.  Stop thinking about it before it gets out of hand.
  “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;” Prov. 24:19
• Do not even start entertaining thoughts of getting even.
  “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.” Proverbs 24:29  Also: I Peter 3:8.
• You certainly have wronged others, even unintentionally.  You surely want to be forgiven by others and the Lord, so forgive those who have “wronged” you!
  “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12  Also: Mark 11:25-26.
• Forgive them, even if they do the offense more than once!
  “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21  Also: Luke 17:4.
• The only “getting even” God allows is to be nice to the offender!
  “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” Proverbs 25:21- 22  Return unkindness with kindness!  This is certainly not what the world gives as a solution.  Vengeance never takes away hurt feelings.   Also: Mat.  5:44-45, Rom. 12:14, Rom.  12:17.
• If any “getting even” is needed, God will do it, not you!
  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19
• Do not be happy when bad things happen to them.  Do not gloat, “They are getting theirs!”
  “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

Unforgiveness and the bitterness that often follow do not help or change anything.  The hurt feelings of bringing the matter up repeatedly certainly digs its trap deeper and deeper.  The only way to get peace is to forgive.

“It’s easy for you to say.  You don’t know what that person did to me.” You are right.  I do not know, but I have learned that carrying and harboring bitterness will hurt you and others.  Your only choices are to let it fester or eliminate it.  Hopefully, you truly want to get rid of it.

Although it is repeatedly suggested that we forget our offended feelings, most of us cannot.  Only God can forget when He chooses.  We may not be able to get it permanently out of our minds, but we can do our best not to let it be at the forefront of our thought-life.

We all battle hurt feelings.  It is our choice how we handle them.  God’s Word clearly says we should not let those temptations rule and destroy our lives.  Instead of getting bitter and blaming God about a matter, it is the time to get close to Him.  It is during those hard times that we learn of His mercy and grace.

The longer one carries a grudge, the heavier it becomes!
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Eph. 4:26

Advice on How to Have a Good Testimony
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most valuable assets a Christian can have is his testimony.  What others think of him is often what they see him do, how he reacts in certain situations, and how they believe a Christian should live (although their view may not always be accurate).  Paul gave some advice on how to preserve that testimony in Ephesians 4.  Some of his advice included:

• Do not live like the rest of the world and put the wrong value on things that are not that important (vs. 17-18).
• Do not lust after things of this world and be consumed with greed for them (vs. 19).
• Do not let your conversation with others be about lust for this world’s things (vs. 22).
• Live a righteous life and strive to be a good example (vs. 24).
• Let your conversation be honest, and do not lie (vs. 25).
• If you get angry, get it right with those involved before the sun goes down (vs. 26).
• Do not get close to sin, and allow the devil to destroy your testimony (vs. 27).
• Do not steal; work hard for what you want (vs. 28).
• Be careful of the words you utter, and make sure what you say helps others (vs. 29).
• Do not sadden the indwelling Holy Spirit by sinning (vs. 30).
• Do not allow the sins of bitterness, violence, anger, and evil speaking to be part of your life (vs. 31).
• Be kind to others (vs. 32).

 As hard as we try, some will always see our example wrong, no matter how we adhere to the above advice and other godly principles.  Although it is impossible to please all the people all the time, we have a responsibility to try to have the best testimony possible.  Our example is not so much about what others think about us but what others believe about Christ from our example. 

We are often all the unsaved will ever see about Christ.  Will they determine that they do not want to be a Christian because of what is observed by our behavior, or will they consider being one because of how we live our lives?

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Heb. 12:15

Forgive
Author Unknown

In a school in Ireland, one boy struck another, and when he was about to be punished, the injured boy begged for his pardon.  The teacher asked, “Why do you wish to keep him from being punished?  He hit you.”

The boy replied, “I have read in the New Testament where our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should forgive our enemies and therefore I forgive him and beg he may not be punished for my sake.”

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mat.  6:14-15

In This Issue:
We’re All Sinners
Curse of Sin
Deceitfulness of Sin
Sin, the Deceiver
Sin, the Tyrant
What Forgiveness Did

Volume: 986    December 23, 2024
Theme: Sin

The  Daily View is a free, daily devotion.  Sign up (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M), and you will be e-mailed a link to read or HEAR a KJV chapter and a short commentary (200-700 words) of something taught in the day’s reading.  The e-mail will include a mini-sermon in pictures, a prayer list, Thought for The Day, and short articles reinforcing biblical principles.

We’re All Sinners
Bill Brinkworth

His friends whispered as loudly as they dared, “No, Avijit.  Do not go up to those people.  They do not want you there.  Stay with us.”

Avijit walked on towards the settlement, ignoring his friends’ pleas.  “I’m not like you,” he muttered.  “They will take me in and help me.”

As he approached a woman laden with wares she had just purchased at the bazaar, she shrieked as she gazed at the boy approaching her.  “Stand back,” she warned.  “Don’t get any closer!”

“But,” he tried to present his case, “I am not as bad as the others,” he pointed to the three that stood at the city’s outskirts, watching what would happen.

“Still, you are a leper!” reminded the woman. 

“But Ketak’s fingers and toes are disfigured,” he pointed to a distant figure of a young girl wrapped in tattered rags.  “Look at mine.  They are straight and strong.”  He showed the woman his young, brown fingers.  They were not affected by the dreaded disease.

“Maybe not, but still, you have the cursed disease.  Stand back.”  She said as she also took one step backward.

“But, my sores are not as bad as Badal’s,” he pointed to another figure looking on from afar.  “See, they are a lot smaller,” he pointed to the sores on his face and ears.

The woman shrugged as she looked at the disfiguring mass of sores spread across the young boy’s face and body, “But still, you have leprosy.  If you get any closer, I could also get the disease.  Stand back.  Stay with your kind, so we don’t get it,” and she quickly scurried away.

No matter how Avijit compared himself to others, the truth of the matter was that he still had a contagious disease.  He was still a leper and was a danger to others around him.  Many compare their sins to others in a similar manner.  They know what they have done but justify their iniquities as not as “bad” as others’ deeds. 

They compare themselves to the convicted thief behind bars and justify, “Yes, I have stolen pens from work, but I’m not as bad as that man who robbed a bank.”

The truth whispers back, “Ah ha, but you are still a thief.”

“I may lie to keep myself from getting in trouble with my parents, but I’m not as bad as that person who always lies.”

Again, the truth speaks softly to the conscience, “But you still are a liar!”

Stumbling for an example to clear any suggestions that they are guilty of being “bad”, justification fires back, “But, I am a good person.  I’m not as bad as others!”

The small, soft voice of conviction answers, “But sinning only once still qualifies you as a sinner.  Do not compare yourself to other sinners.  The penalty for iniquity is Hell.”

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” II Cor. 10:12

Unfortunately, it is “human” to compare ourselves to others.  It is not our measuring tool that matters, however.  It is God’s judgment that matters, and He says no sinner can go to Heaven. 

Since we are all sinners, the prognosis is not good.  However, because God loves us, He gave us a way to have our sins forgiven and forgotten.  That way is to recognize you are a sinner and believe that Jesus has paid for your sins with His blood at Calvary. 

All we need to do is admit our sinnership and trust Christ’s death is sufficient to pay for our sins; and then we can have God’s promise of Heaven one day.  All sin can be forgiven, and we can have our name written in Heaven’s “Book of Life!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it [Heaven] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Rev. 21:27

Curse of Sin
Dr. J. Parker

O Sin, how hast thou curst us!  Thou hast thrown up a barrier between ourselves and God.  With thy chilling breath, thou hast extinguished the light of our household joys.  Thou hast unstrung our hap and filled the air with discordant cries.  Thou hast unsheathed the sword and bathed it in human blood.  Thou has dug every grave in the bosom of the fair earth.  But, for thee, we should not have known the name of widow or orphan, tear and sigh, and sorrow and death.  But for thee, our hearts had been untorn by a pang, and our joy pure as the ecstasies of Heaven.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12

Deceitfulness of Sin
Modified from an article by Henry Smith

When a man sins, he thinks within himself, “I will do this no more.”  Soon, another sin rears its tempting head, and after falling for its “bait,” the partaker of the sin again lowers his head in defeat and shame, promising never to do it again.  The lesson is still not learned, and after another sin is committed, it is repeatedly promised to “never to do it again.”

That is the way of sin to spur a man forward in his involvement in it.  Each time iniquity is committed, the man feels farther from God, less good about himself, and tormented by his own conscience.

“Give sin an inch, and you will have to retake a mile!” — Author Unknown

Sin, the Deceiver
Edited from a poem by Keach

Sin is composed of nothing but subtle wiles.
It fakes and flatters, and betrays by its smiles.
‘Tis like the panther, or the crocodile.
It hides its sting, seems harmless as a dove.
It hugs the soul, and hates, when it vowed to love.
It plays the tyrant most by gilded pills,
It secretly ensnares the souls it kills,
Sin’s promises they all deceitful be:
Does promise wealth, but pays only poverty.
Does promise honor, but only pays us shame
And quite bereaves a man of his good name.
Does promise pleasure, but only pays us sorrow.
It promises life today, but pays death tomorrow.
No thief so vile, nor treacherous as sin,
Whom fools do hug and take much pleasure in.

Sin, the Tyrant
Edited from an article by John Bate

An Arab miller was one day startled by a camel’s nose thrust in the window of a room where he was sleeping.  “It is very cold outside,” said the camel, “I only want to get my nose in to warm it.”

The nose was allowed in, then the neck, and finally, the whole body worked its way into the abode.  Soon, the miller began to be extremely inconvenienced by the ungainly companion he had obtained in a room certainly not large enough to hold both.  “If you are inconvenienced, you may leave,” said the camel.  “As for myself, I shall stay where I am.”

Thus is the ploy of sin.  It slithers in just a bit, and soon, a whole life is inconvenienced and plagued by its dominance.

What Forgiveness Did
Edited from an article by Dr. Guthrie

In the garrison town of Woolwich over 175 years ago, a soldier was about to be brought before the commanding officer for a misdemeanor.  The officer hearing the case exclaimed, “Here he is again.  What can we do with him?  He has been before us often, and nothing seems to turn him around!”

The sergeant-major apologized for intruding and said, “There is one thing that has never been done with him yet, sir.”

“What is that, sergeant-major?”

“Well, sir, he has never yet been forgiven.”

“Forgiven?” shouted the colonel, “See the long list of accusations against him?”

“Yes, I see, but the man is not before you yet, and you can cancel it.”

After reflecting on the matter, the colonel ordered the man to be brought before him.  When the prisoner was asked what he had to say regarding the charges brought against him, he replied, “Nothing, sir.  Only that I am very sorry for what I have done.”

After making some suitable remarks, the colonel concluded, “Well, we are resolved to forgive you.”

The soldier was struck with astonishment.  Tears ran down his face as he wept.  The colonel felt deeply, when he saw the man was humbled.  After thanking the colonel, the forgiven soldier left.

For two more years, the soldier remained in the army.  Not once were further charges brought against him during that time, or was fault found in the man.  Mercy triumphed.  Kindness conquered.

Such is the same mercy given to any that will humble themselves before the Father.  With a simple, sincere admittance of sinnership and trusting in Christ’s gift of eternal life, one can likewise be forgiven and have a new and different life.

“When God pardons sin, he consigns the offenses to eternal forgetfulness.”
— Author Unknown