Ps. 15:1, 3 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter
your presence on your holy hill? Those who refuse to slander others or harm
their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Sometimes it’s easier said than done. We don’t
usually set out to slander or harm others, but we do it anyhow. We may not be
getting along with someone like we should and we let it fester in our souls. In
an effort to prove each other wrong, words are spoken. Sometimes the words are
very hurtful. They call into question the character and integrity of the other
person. They are spoken in an attempt to make ourselves feel better and the
other person worse. Such words are always damaging and never good. Instead of
being encouragers and edifiers, we become destroyers. We excuse ourselves
because of the damage and hurts the other person has caused us. We don’t give
much thought to the fact that the Lord is the one who is to mete out justice.
He is the one who makes things right. We are to leave things in His hands and
not take them into our own hands.
When we slander or hurt
others, we disqualify ourselves from being able to draw near to God. No one who
slanders, harms, or speaks evil of his neighbor can enter into the presence of
God, It is a battle that we must fight and win. Be honest, how many times have
you gone through the motions of worship with ill feelings or thoughts in you
towards someone? Did you find satisfaction
for your soul in the presence of the Lord?
Did God seem so far away, detached from you? The Lord will not draw near to the soul
filled with ill feelings for someone else.
Ask the Lord to help
you treat others in a godly way. Ask Him to help you be an encourager and
edifier to all, to turn the other cheek no matter how others may treat
you. Ask Him to help you love others
with no strings attached. You may not
appreciate the way others live or treat you, but that does not dismiss your
responsibility before God to love them unconditionally.
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