Venom
02-25-2006, 01:12 AM
I was reading this verse in the book of Peter today, and it comforted me and reminded me of many other verses.
1 Peter 3:11-15
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
One of the key topics in Psychology is focusing on things which are in your control. When we focus our attention on factors which our out of our control, this tends to increase negative mood states, such as anxiety, for reasons such as there is nothing we can do about that. All we can do is focus on things which are in our control.
The reason why this verse is so comforting to me, is because it says if we focus on what is in our control, then we don’t have to worry about other things! As long as we are walking on the straight and narrow path of life, NOTHING can harm us.
Hebrews 13:1-17
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
And I think when we are surrounded by people who try to do bad things to us, often times when we have done nothing but good to them, and other such like situations, these times are trials of our faith.
James 1:2-12
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Obviously we know from scripture that our faith is so powerful and vital to our success. In fact, Hebrews says we cannot please God without faith! So when we are facing trials, we should take a step back and smile. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just take a moment to realize that no one can do anything to you because you are in the highway of the King.
It is sort of like a lion behind a cage. If you are standing right by it, and it is roaring at you, it can be terrifying. But you realize, it cannot get through and will not hurt you as long as you stay on your path. Same way with our spiritual life. As long as we focus on what is in our control—staying on the path of life—then no one can do anything to us.
When you realize this, instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you tend to feel sorry for the person that is doing evil to you. Because you realize, they are on a path to death. /forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif I think this is another reason why the bible says to pray for our enemies. They are the true ones that need help. Can you imagine the suffering they are experiencing inside from the bitterness they hold against you, so much as they would try to harm you?
Matthew 5:43-48
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
When unbelievers see us act kind in the presence of such evil, I don't see a better testimony than that! I believe when this discusses heaping coals of fire on their heads, partly it is refering to the shame they feel when they see how we react to their evil actions.
I would like to know what your guys thoughts and experiences are on this topic?
Thanks!
1 Peter 3:11-15
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
One of the key topics in Psychology is focusing on things which are in your control. When we focus our attention on factors which our out of our control, this tends to increase negative mood states, such as anxiety, for reasons such as there is nothing we can do about that. All we can do is focus on things which are in our control.
The reason why this verse is so comforting to me, is because it says if we focus on what is in our control, then we don’t have to worry about other things! As long as we are walking on the straight and narrow path of life, NOTHING can harm us.
Hebrews 13:1-17
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
And I think when we are surrounded by people who try to do bad things to us, often times when we have done nothing but good to them, and other such like situations, these times are trials of our faith.
James 1:2-12
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Obviously we know from scripture that our faith is so powerful and vital to our success. In fact, Hebrews says we cannot please God without faith! So when we are facing trials, we should take a step back and smile. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just take a moment to realize that no one can do anything to you because you are in the highway of the King.
It is sort of like a lion behind a cage. If you are standing right by it, and it is roaring at you, it can be terrifying. But you realize, it cannot get through and will not hurt you as long as you stay on your path. Same way with our spiritual life. As long as we focus on what is in our control—staying on the path of life—then no one can do anything to us.
When you realize this, instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you tend to feel sorry for the person that is doing evil to you. Because you realize, they are on a path to death. /forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif I think this is another reason why the bible says to pray for our enemies. They are the true ones that need help. Can you imagine the suffering they are experiencing inside from the bitterness they hold against you, so much as they would try to harm you?
Matthew 5:43-48
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
When unbelievers see us act kind in the presence of such evil, I don't see a better testimony than that! I believe when this discusses heaping coals of fire on their heads, partly it is refering to the shame they feel when they see how we react to their evil actions.
I would like to know what your guys thoughts and experiences are on this topic?
Thanks!