“bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “
– Luke 6:28 NIV
So, I say this to myself every day. “If I truly believe that God is for me then why do I feel that I need to be UGLY to my opponents, or even my enemies?” Now God’s word is clear. It does not tell me to curse those who curse me, right?
So, why do we feel a need to do that?-belittling-shaming-trash talking-lying about a person’s intent, lifestyle, lying about their children-projecting our own thoughts unto someone else simply because they may be in the same type of ministry that we are in is just NOT in step with this scripture, right?
So, can we SPEAK TRUTH without character assassination?
Can we refuse to listen to any form of rhetoric that makes our neighbor look less than us?
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”
Proverbs 20:19 ESV
Can we agree that stripping a person down, emotionally, is contrary to this scripture?
If we can then we will be able to BLESS or enemies.
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28 ESV
NOTE IT DOES NOT SAY BLESS OUR FRIENDS. We do that anyway. We really need to remember that ….
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 ESV
This is where the rubber meets the road. This is when we demonstrate that we are Christ believers. Remember that Judas followed Christ, and yet he betrayed him.
During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
John 13:2 ESV
But here is the other thing. There had to be a Judas! Someone had to betray Christ.
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ …
Acts 1:16-25 ESV
In Psalm 41;9 David prophesied about this event.
“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” Psalm 41:9
When talking about Judas The Lord cited this passage; however, he omitted this phrase “whom I trusted” (13:18). This referenced when Christ stated that he
“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”
John 6:64 KJV
The Lord never trusted Judas. The prophecy, therefore, has a personal-to David, and a secondary -to Christ application.
Paul spoke about the fulfillment of David's application of Ps 41;(
“Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was a guide to them that took Jesus.”
Acts 1:16
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A16&version=KJV
David said,
“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”
Psalm 41:9
Judas carried out his mission.
‘And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Mark 14:43-45 ESV
I don’t want that person to be ME! When I curse those who curse and misuse me, then I am betraying Christ. I am not living up to the standard that he laid out for me as a believer. I am not being a Christ-follower.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
You Are Not the Only One 