Insults Injure

Insults Injure

2 Peter 2: These false teachers are bold and arrogant, and show no respect for the glorious beings above; instead, they insult them. ¹¹ Even the angels, who are so much stronger and mightier than these false teachers, do not accuse them with insults in the presence of the Lord. ¹² But these people act by instinct, like wild animals born to be captured and killed; they attack with insults anything they do not understand. They will be destroyed like wild animals, ¹³ and they will be paid with suffering for the suffering they have caused. Pleasure for them is to do anything in broad daylight that will satisfy their bodily appetites; they are a shame and a disgrace as they join you in your meals, all the while enjoying their deceitful ways!

 

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After learning my new found “cursing” form of language, I thought I would take it out for a spin. I used some of the language incorrectly and was laughed at, so I practiced. After a while, I was able to tear a person apart with a tapestry of insults woven with the foulest language.

 

• I felt good being able to tear people apart.
• I felt even better that my insults would make people laugh.
• I did not know I was hurting people with my insults and even worse, I was hurting myself.

 

Peter gives some hard theology about insults. When he denied his relationship with JESUS to save himself, he cursed at JESUS to act like everyone else. He knew how harmful this was because he wanted to be close to JESUS and felt he had ruined the relationship. JESUS restored Peter with a caveat… “Feed MY sheep.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to use my tongue to lift people up, not tear them down.
• Any insult I make is similar to placing it before GOD and HE is not pleased with my insults.
• I may insult and hurt someone AND GOD will see what I did and account for “my” actions.

 

Consequence is usually not considered when I make an insult. I mean, whether it is my favorite sports team or a coworker or a political party or a family member, my insults are being recorded. GOD sees insults as a problem. BUT HE has a better way.

 

GOD wants my tongue to be filled with encouragement, praise and grace. Insulting JESUS or any heavenly figure will bring GOD’s wrath on me. HE deserves my deepest praise. This requires me to remove my insults. I am glad GOD is willing ot guide me away from insults.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning of the writer?
• Have you ever been insulted?
• How did you feel after being insulted?
• Will you take steps to remove “harmless” insults from your vocabulary and say nothing instead so you will not place the insult before GOD?