SIX THINGS

In this day of 'entitlement', people demand respect without earning it, openly protest those who disagree with their agenda, and bully their way through life with little regard for the well-being of others. The Word of God instructs followers of Christ to abandon six sinful attitudes and behaviors ... 

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

1. Bitterness is a refusal to be reconciled ... i.e. nursing a grudge, keeping score of wrongs, and harboring resentment. Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it, many become defiled. (Hebrews 12:14-15)

2. Wrath is described as sudden rage ... it is quickly kindled and then dies out. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

3. Anger, on the other hand, is deep animosity that seethes and smolders. This is not the 'righteous anger' that Jesus expressed on occasion, but self-centered animosity. We are warned ... Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

4. Clamor refers to a 'shout or outcry', a public outburst that reveals one's loss of control. It is usually loud and boisterous. We witnessed it when Christ was put on trial ...  But they were insistent and unrelenting, demanding with loud voices that Jesus be crucified. And their voices began to prevail and accomplish their purpose. (Luke 23:23)

5. Evil Speaking is verbal abuse against another; a type of slander. It is speech that seeks to wound someone's reputation through evil reports and the telling of lies. The blasphemous words of the wicked lie in wait for innocent blood to slander, But the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them. (Proverbs 12:6)

6. Malice is a general term for evil and is at the root of every vice. It is mean-spirited and vicious, a depraved disposition that desires to hurt someone ... and then rejoices in it. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

In place of these ... we are to put on kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (which also deal with our interpersonal relationships). They represent the divine attributes of Jesus Christ and the evidence that we are being transformed into His likeness through sanctification.