Each person should be careful of how they think and present themselves to others. A person can let their ego get the best of them which can cause a person harm. Paul had something to say about this topic.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” (Rom. 12:3, 4). To the Galatians Paul wrote, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Gal. 6:3).

Thinking to much of oneself and portraying that to others is not what a child of God should be doing.

What about the perspective one has toward those who seem want to do one harm?

Jesus said, “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;” (Matt. 5:44). Jesus says to seek good for all, even enemies. Failure to do this can lead one to sin. Paul showed how to deal with enemies, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21). This way of dealing with enemies in this manner is foreign to the world but should be a standard in the lives of Christians. If Christians act like the world how will they ever project the love and concern of Jesus to anyone? Christians actions are something that God is interested in as He watches over His children. From time to time all people will have differences. How will they be handled.

God’s word gives examples of this happening. Abraham and Lot had problems because their workers could not get along together. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas had problems over who should travel with them on one of their missionary journeys. Peter and Paul had problems because Peter showed an attitude of prejudice and Paul would not allow him to live that way. The world’s answer to differences between people many times is malice, bitterness, lack of a forgiving spirit, fault-finding, etc.; God does not want His children acting like the world, in any matter. In 2 Peter 2:1, Peter instructed the Christians to put such things away and only seek God and His ways to follow.

Christians are not to hold grudges and bitterness in their minds and hearts toward others. Keeping the perspective of the world will affect ones worship to God.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt. 5:23,24).

This plain lesson taught by the Lord shows how destructive worldly thinking can be to one. Next week we will continue these thoughts.