Contributing without realising

The other week someone commented about how a number of people had come up to them to confess that they had something against them and that they had been harbouring a grudge towards that person. They were described as overly sensitive people with crystal and weak hearts. I couldn't help but think that we at times can contribute to a person having something against us because of the way we spoke to them and treated them.

When I look back, those I had something negative against in the past, it was because they treated me in a way that was hurtful and I didnt like how I was spoken to. I know I should have been strong enough to not allow it to affect me but at that time I was not strong inside. I know that I had no right to keep something inside of me towards them but had they not have treated me the way they did, no feelings of grudge or resentmemt towards them would have been formed inside of me. It was only when I came to God, did I understand the importance and power of forgiveness and letting go of hurtful and negative things said and done to me. It set me free and I was no longer as bitter and insecure person.

Those who profess to know God and are Christians, must be different from the others. We have to realise that not everyone is the same and that not everyone is as tough as nails. We have to watch the way we speak and deal with people because if we are not careful we could end up offending them and creating grudges inside of them. I am not talking about someone being upset or angered because we were honest with them and we corrected and told them the truth. Nobody likes the truth because it hurts but it also sets us free. The truth is the truth and nothing can be done about that.

I am talking about when we speak rudely to people, constantly criticizing them and picking at their faults. Having a sharp tongue, looking down at others, looking at them in an unpleasant way and judging them and their situation without bothering to find out what they are going through or why they have or behave/act the way they do. People expect much more from us who are Christians and if we do not at last scratch the surface in the way we are towards them, they get hurt and even become cold and indifferent towards anything to do with God. We may be the only Bible some people will ever read so we must show God to them, in every way.

I personally do not want to contribute negatively towards anyone’s downfall intentionally or unintentionally and that is why I constantly watch myself. As I write this I am reminded of this verse in the Bible “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” – Matthew 18:6