I Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

 

Many people can remember in their youth having seen a fight at school. As adults, hopefully, we see far fewer! I think most of us like it that way. However, now we can log on to social media and see fights daily! Some people seem to practice being mean! They are always ready to lash out. It’s like they have a black belt in malice.

The Apostle Paul had some interesting advice for the Corinthian believers and for Christians in general. He suggested a different approach to conflict. We should not be content to be ‘children in understanding.’ We should be working toward a level of maturity in under-standing. When it comes to understanding, we should be working on our black belt! But in malice? We shouldn’t even be enrolled in that course!

When I live this way rejecting malice and seeking understanding, I will become a much more forgiving person. Forgiveness may never have been all that popular, but in today’s world it seems especially unappealing to a great many people. It seems they’d rather never forget and never forgive!

When someone offends me I have a choice: I can seek to understand or I can go the way of malice. Understanding and forgiveness are the Jesus way, but they are also the more challenging way. Malice is much easier. I can just lean into the way I feel and nurse my grievances. If ever I feel alone in my anger, there will always be a ready chorus available online to bolster me in my malice and assure me that I have every right to be upset!

A black belt in malice just gives me black thoughts. Withholding forgiveness from another never makes me happier. A deeper level of understanding for another and forgiveness brings peace.

Understanding or malice? The choice is simple even if it isn’t always easy.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Russ