Scenario 1: A husband walks through the front door after a long hard day at work. His wife greets him at the door and smiles, gives him a small kiss and asks him how his day was as she helps him take off his shoes.
Scenario 2: A husband walks through the front door and is greeted by “TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF! CAN’T YOU SEE THAT I JUST MOPPED THE FLOORS? YOU ARE SO INCONSIDERATE AND SELFISH. I ALWAYS HAVE TO CLEAN UP AFTER YOU!” Then she turns and stomps off to the bedroom, slamming the door.
James 3:17-18
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
I love these scriptures in James. (Funny that this is my husband’s name, too!) It says the “wisdom” that is from above. Do we ever stop and think how we act and how our attitudes will affect others? Consider how the husbands will react in each of the above scenarios.
The husband in scenario one would have to feel peace, and the second, well, there is nothing peaceful or merciful about coming home. After a little while, he might even look for reasons not to come home. There are numerous other scenarios which could be included here along with husband-wife…what about that of mother-daughter, father-son, employer-employee, grandparent-grandchild, brother-sister, boyfriend-girlfriend, cousin-cousin, even best friend-best friend. Think about how you act in your own relationships.
How we portray ourselves to the ones closest to us reflects on our Christian walk and can influence the willingness of others to come to the Lord. We cannot be holy-acting at church, and as soon as we leave church have an unkind, unmerciful attitude. Does the word hypocrisy come to mind?
I once read that our attitudes can be like electricity, except it can travel faster and touch more people. A good attitude can help others and even build them up, just like electricity can be used to power up our homes, while a bad attitude spreads quickly and destroys (like a spark can start a fire).
God wants us to have peace. He doesn’t want us to be in constant chaos and turmoil. In Our homes and our relationships peace should abound. It is all about how we handle everyday situations and the things that “annoy” us. As Christians, we must have a Christ-like attitude.
Here is a challenge to one and all… choose a verse that fits your particular struggle. Memorize that verse. Now, when you feel a bad or negative attitude coming on, quote that verse from memory, over and over if necessary.
Mine is James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” By the time I get to the word “peaceable” I feel God’s presence and His help is instant.
Today, what attitude will you show the world, to those closest to you? More importantly, will others see Christ in your attitude?
-[Melanie Dixon]
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