It’s a good thing to say we are sorry for the rough time a friend or family member is going through.  It’s a good thing to say we are sorry when we’ve hurt someone with our words or actions.  It’s good thing also to tell God we are sorry.

However, when we find ourselves addressing the same issue in our lives, such as harsh words, wrong attitude, being critical or judgmental, it’s time to take a deeper look at the root of the problem.

There is something inside of us that naturally just doesn’t like to be corrected, but as adults we know that correction is the only way to solve a problem.  And the best correction we can receive is from the Word of God. We learn from Second Timothy 3:15 that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.  He’s gentle but precise when correcting us.  His is always righteous and holy with His judgment of our situation with our good in mind.

Everyone knows that weeds in the yard or garden must be pulled out with the root or that weed will rise to the surface again.  So it is with issues of our heart.  When a person is caught with their hand in the “cookie jar” and confronted about a wrong attitude or harsh words, etc. and we’re only sorry we got caught, then the problem most likely will come up again.  Only being sorry that we got “caught” is not enough, there must be a change in our heart.  Without addressing the issue of the heart, there is no permanent change in our life.

If we go no further than the “I’m sorry” statement just to appease the situation at hand, we are only putting a pacifier on the problem, only soothing the problem for a short time and that will not solve the root cause of the problem.  Without addressing the root problem which is the condition of the heart, we are bound to commit the same wrong again and again.

In order for real change to take place in our lives there must be conviction in our heart that leads to repentance.  It is possible to be convicted that what we said or did is wrong and not really have a repentant heart.  Repentant means we desire to change and turn from the doing the wrong.  This goes for all of us and no one is excluded from this process.  This works in our personal development as well as in relationships. Each must take their responsibility in the problem or situation in order for the root problem to be solved.  Otherwise there will be a re-occurrence of the problem, if not with that same person then someone else.

Examples of problems and limitless but this week we will study only a few: harsh words; jealousy or envy; isolation from the Family of God.  Here’s what I do: I go to the Bible and meditate on Scriptures that address these issues.

WORDS:

Proverbs 15:1 teaches “a soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger”.   Speaking softly can stop an argument quicker than speaking loud enough for the neighbors to hear!  Speaking softly doesn’t mean we don’t speak up to be heard when necessary; it means to not speak with wrong emotion.

Ephesians 4:15 instructs us to “speak the truth in love”.  When we speak truth in love our words carry no condemnation but carry hope and encouragement for change.

JEALOUSY AND ENVY: 

When tempted to be jealous, resentful, or bitter – of whatever – whether it’s because of not getting the promotion we worked hard for;  or that another received their healing seemingly easier and quicker than we received ours (yes, that can happen too).  We must realize that envy and jealousy are Satan’s tools to get us to rise up against God, as he did.  Envy and jealousy affects us physically and spiritually, causing sickness to take root in our body and  our spirit to become indifferent toward God.

Proverbs 14:20 teaches us that “envy is the rottenness of the bones”.

James 3:16 tells us that “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”.  This doesn’t just apply to the outward situation between you and others but strife leads to confusion in your own heart too.  When we struggle within our heart with confusion then our love walk is hindered.

ISOLATION: 

When I realize I’m being tempted to not assemble with my Church family, it’s just not that I feel busy or tired, it is the tool of Satan to draw me away from the flock so he can devour me.  Loners are easy prey for an enemy to subdue and conquer.

Hebrews 10:24-25 teaches us that we are “not to forsake assembling together”; for this is where we receive from the Word of God, and from one another exhortation to walk in love and to do good works.

1 Peter 5:8 teaches us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”.  In nature the lion always seeks out the “loner” because they are easier prey.  Don’t give Satan this advantage over you, stay close to God and His people.

I pray this week’s study encourages us to keep our words in check and the motive behind them to promote healing and restoration and not stir up anger.  I pray we recognize jealous and envy for what they are – tools of the devil to cause confusion in our hearts to draw us away from God.  I pray that when tempted to pull away from our Church family and Christians friends that we remember that isolation is the devils way of trapping us into his arena of lies.  I pray that as we learn the truth of God’s Word, we will be diligent to speak and live according to His Word, walking in victory to the glory of God, knowing and believing that “all things are possible with God”.