A Battle against Bitterness

Luke 17:3–5 NKJV

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

I. The inward struggle

There are three imperatives found in the passage.

The first is the word, προσέχω (prosecho) which means to turn your ear toward something. I remember as a kid that it would be so easy to fall victim to distractions during school. It may have been a dog in the school yard, a friends giggles, or a wild imagination. At times the teacher would raise her voice to snap us students out of our dull delima. This seems to be the approach that Jesus is taking. He provides the imperative, Take heed aka (Wake up).

II. The outward conflict

The second imperative is the Greek word ἐπιτιμάω (epitimao) overcome with a powerful word or to warn stearnly.

The March 20, 2010, edition of the Turning Point online devotional shares this story: In the early days of television, there was a situation comedy in which two characters were discussing an acquaintance who had the annoying habit of slapping his friends across the chest whenever they met. “I am fixed for him,” said one character to the other. “I put a stick of dynamite in my vest pocket and the next time he slaps me he is going to get his hand blown off.”

In the washroom of his London club, British newspaper publisher and politician William Beverbrook happened to meet Edward Heath, then a young member of Parliament, about whom Beverbrook had printed an insulting editorial a few days earlier.

“My dear chap,” said the publisher, embarrassed by the encounter, “I’ve been thinking it over, and I was wrong. Here and now, I wish to apologize.”

“Very well,” grunted Heath, “but the next time, I wish you’d insult me in the washroom and apologize in your newspaper.”

III. How to move forward.

The final imperative of this passage is ἀφίημι (ophiemi) meannig to leave it alone, release, give up.

A. Reprove

The right spirit

B. Repent

A receptive heart

Ask for forgiveness

John Michael Shannon tells of Andy Andrew’s

Inspirational speaker and author Andy Andrews tells about a misunderstanding he had with comedian Bob Hope, with whom he had been involved in several projects. While doing a television program, Andy made reference to Hope’s age and how sharp he was for a man of his years. It came back to him later that Hope was upset. After much soul searching—and reluctance—he called Bob Hope. When he asked Hope if he was upset with what he had said, Hope confirmed that he was. Andrews made the decision not to try to come up with any excuses. He said, “I don’t know what to do other than to ask you to forgive me.” Though he had been offended, Hope readily forgave him. There is not only a power in forgiving, but there is also power in asking for forgiveness.

C. Forgive

This forgiveness is directed inward but expressed outwardly.

If it is expressed but not genuine then you have lied and will foster hatred.

If it is genuine inwardly but not expressed, it will foster division.

What to do when they wont repent?

Follow the Bible

Matthew 18:15–17 NKJV

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

IV. Don’t hold a grudge,

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

V. The need for faith.

A. Trust God to take care of our needs.

B. Trust God to be a righteous judge.

Marie Isom was in Theater 9 in Aurora, Colo., when he shooting began. “I’m not a big movie-goer,” she wrote on her blog, A Miniature Clay Pot. “I prefer to watch movies in the comfort of our own home…but parents sometimes make sacrifices for their kiddos and I decided I would take my 14-year-old and 16-year-old daughters who were chomping at the bit to see this eagerly anticipated third movie in the Batman Trilogy. Twice I had the opportunity to back out, and twice I was quite tempted; but something in me said, ‘Just go with your girls.’ I did.”

Marie said she sat fidgeting in her seat, some 40 or 50 feet away from the man with the gun, who has been identified by police as 24-year-old James Holmes.

“It’s still a bit surreal, but I do know that when the seemingly endless shooting started, as my girls were struggling from whatever gas or chemical had been released, and we figured out what was happening, we hit the floor.” Marie threw herself on top of her 14-year-old, who was on the end of the row, straight up the aisle from the shooter, Marie wrote on her blog.

“In that moment, as the rapid-fire shots continued, I truly thought I was going to die. And I realized that I was ready. I have put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the redeemer of my soul, and there wasn’t the slightest doubt that I would be received into heaven, not because of any good thing that I have done but because of His merciful nature and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Marie continued: “Still, as I lay over my daughter, I began praying out loud. I don’t even remember what I prayed, but I don’t imagine it really matters. I’m sure it was for protection and peace. It drew me closer into the presence of God. When there was a pause in the shooting, people began to clamor for the exits. The girls and I jumped up and joined the masses. We had to step over a lifeless body, not knowing where the shooter was. We raced to our car and I dumped my purse, frantically searching for keys, looking all around, prepared to hit the ground. I yelled at Michelle to call Matthew and find out if he had made it out of the theater next door. She did. He did. We booked on out of there.”

“Why would you think such a tragedy would make me question the goodness of God?” she asked.

“If anything, both of my girls said it made Him a much more real presence to them; the youngest shared this verse: ‘Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your feet from being caught.'”

Marie said: “He is not the cause of evil, but He is the one who can bring comfort and peace in the midst of evil. It’s been amazing to see the outpouring of love from so many people after this unthinkable act. Yes, there was one evil act, but it is being covered by thousands, possibly millions of acts of kindness.”