Study The Opposite?

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. Ephesians 4:31

A pair of siblings arguing drives a parent to send them to their rooms for a little peace in the house. Two persons fighting on the street move their friends to pull them apart before someone is seriously hurt. And a horrible sound arises next door, a married couple say the vilest things to one another leaving one to wonder how they ever spoke their vows in that church with those same mouths. We see the opposite of how we want to behave as followers of Christ and we understand why the apostle would write this way to the church in Ephesus. Studying the opposite (not practicing!) can help us to understand how the fruits of the Spirit will benefit each of us and all of those around us. Recall the last time you heard that marital spat before the breakup, all that bitterness, wrath, and anger caused quite the clamor! Is that how you would have the followers of Christ Jesus be seen?

As our Lord said, love your neighbor as yourself,

Bucky