Tuesday, August 13th, 2019

Each of us has countless facets to ourselves, and if we are honest with ourselves, not every facet is a good one. One powerful temptation from the world these days is to “embrace every aspect of ourselves” or that we are “perfect just the way we are.” If that were true, then what did Jesus die for? Obviously, not one of us is perfect and will never be so. But there are certain aspects we have that can, and should, be changed. Those aspects are detailed by Paul in Ephesians, saying, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Spirits of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice are not of God, and therefore should be not embraced as parts of our personalities. When we know something about ourselves is not from God, it is easier to isolate and then purge from our lives. Today, if you are harboring a malicious spirit, know that it did not come from God and work to rid it from your life.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV