Thou Shalt Not Be Petty - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 22, 2023
How many of us have the perfect clapback for any situation? We've got the type of zingers that will quickly silence anyone who 'tries' us and we're proud of it. If we care to be honest, nobody can out-petty or out-scheme us. This is because no disrespect is too small for us to deal with in a way whereby the rude person is left with a rude awakening.
But what if I tell you that although the world expects us to react this way, the Word doesn't?
1 Peter 3:9 - Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
We previously learned that we don't need to defend ourselves because God wants us to let Him avenge us. Today's lesson is that it's okay to look foolish when someone says something offensive and uncalled for to us. Our God doesn't need us to retaliate. We can simply walk away, lift the issue up in prayers, and let God handle it.
Instead of a petty response being leveled like a surgical tool to slice and dice the offender, we should remember the instruction to believers - that our words should be seasoned with spiritual salt as stated in Colossians 4:6. No matter what is going on, we are to remember that as Christians, we should take every opportunity to reflect Christ and what He stands for to others. Would retaliating with petty words of deeds accomplish this?
It is not easy to ignore an insult whether delivered directly or subtly, but God will help us if we ask Him for His assistance. Sure the other person may feel like they got us good, but this is where faith comes in. We have to remember that we serve a God who has said "vengeance is Mine" (Deuteronomy 32:35). Do you really think your petty reply could ever compare to what God will do to those who purposefully hurt you with their words and actions as if for sport?
Let us not repay evil with evil but allow our God to deal with those who mess with us. God can be more than petty when dealing with the wicked. Step out of His way - stand still - and let Him do what He wants to do. Psalm 91:8 - You will look and see how the wicked are punished (GNT). This means God doesn't require anything from us for Him to do what His word promises - that the wicked will get their just deserts. Instead, let us "repay evil with blessing" so that we "may inherit a blessing" from the Lord.
This is the promise of God and He will do it if we obey. God bless you!
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