The Father brought me to 1 Peter 3:8-12 TPT
[8] Now, this is the goal: to live in harmony with one another and demonstrate affectionate love, sympathy, and kindness toward other believers. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another. [9] Never retaliate when someone treats you wrongly, nor insult those who insult you, but instead, respond by speaking a blessing over them—because a blessing is what God promised to give you. [10] For the Scriptures tell us: Whoever wants to embrace true life and find beauty in each day [11] must stop speaking evil, hurtful words and never deceive in what they say. Always turn from what is wrong and cultivate what is good; eagerly pursue peace in every relationship, making it your prize. [12] For the eyes of the Lord Yahweh rest upon the godly, and his heart responds to their prayers. But he turns his back on those who practice evil.
Every believer is blessed by God. There are 8 virtues found in verses 8-9 that should characterize our fellowship as believers who follow Christ:
1. A sublime harmony
2. Demonstration of affectionate (brotherly/Phileo) love.
3. Sympathy
4. Kindness
5. Humility
6. Fervent Love
7. NEVER retaliating evil for evil or insult for insult (help us Father with this one!)8. Speaking blessings over those who mistreat us. (Help us with this one too!)
Vs. 11.... EAGERLY "pursue" peace in EVERY relationship. Does this mean we have to be best friends and close to every person... No. Does it always mean the other person will react in love, respect, and humility ..No. Does it mean that what they did to you should be dismissed or forgotten..No. But God wants us to make peace with everyone in saying no matter the situation go to the Father first and allow Him to resolve it. Let it be made right with Him and in your heart and leave the rest to Him. He will guide you in what you should do in every situation whether it be reconciliation or release. He is the righteous judge, and He always brings justice.
What does this speak to me? I got a lot of dieing to self/flesh to do and in return surrendering my will,emotions,and my encounters with people to Him. That I can keep my flesh under submission when I feel the need to fix things myself as well as allowing anger to speak for me. May we let Him do a new work in us and through us so we can be edified and in return represent our Father and the Kingdom well.
New Strategy: Be more intentional in how I speak and treat those around me. Be more aware of my current heart posture and not allow my feelings and emotions to be in control. Forgive, Release it, and go to Him first before acting or speaking. In return He will Heal it, Restore it (in His way and in His time), and He will Free you of it. Don't give the enemy a foothold.
Read further into 1 Peter Chapter 3
Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for teaching us how to love, being the example that we need, and for being love incarnate. Father give us strength to die to self daily especially in moments when we are hurt or those around us that we care for get hurt. Help us Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct us in how we should conduct ourselves. Lord we know that if it wasn't for You loving us through our mess we wouldn't be where we are today. Help us to give that same grace to others. Help us to renew our minds and to have Your mind with your Character. I pray Father we can learn so we can begin to represent you well. Simply help us to love others and even to love our self the way that You love us. I pray these things in Jesus name. Amen!
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