Resentment, against people

Causes of resentment

Unwelcome instruction

Proverbs 3:11–12 KJV 1900

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; Neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

See also Pr 1:7; Pr 5:12

Feelings of rejection

Genesis 4:2–5 KJV 1900

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

See also Jdg 8:1; Mt 20:24

Feelings of injustice

Acts 6:1 KJV 1900

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

See also Ge 27:34; Ge 50:15; Mt 20:10–11; Col 3:21

Hard circumstances

1 Samuel 30:6 KJV 1900

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

See also 1 Sa 22:2

Disappointment with leaders

Joshua 9:18 KJV 1900

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

Resentment has no place in godly living

Eph 4:31; Php 2:14

See also Le 19:18; Dt 15:10; 2 Co 9:5; 2 Ti 2:24; Heb 12:15; Jas 3:14–15; Jas 5:9; 1 Pe 4:9

Dealing with resentment

Not an easy task

Proverbs 18:19 KJV 1900

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Through forgiveness

Proverbs 17:9 KJV 1900

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

See also Pr 19:11

Through God-given contentment

Philippians 4:11 KJV 1900

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

See also 1 Ti 6:6–10; Heb 13:5

Through conciliation

Judges 8:1–3 KJV 1900

And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.