Bible teaching about grudges

I was watching a niece of Martin Luther King Jr. on T.V. the other day. What a gracious spirit she displayed as she related the struggles of the black civil rights movement of the 1960’s in the deep south of America. Those were the days of police dogs tearing the flesh of children, batons bringing blood, and fire hoses tumbling black bodies down a street. Times were bad. The nation was divided, yet also horrified to see such brutality in the streets of America.

The thing this dear lady stressed about her uncle was that in speaking the truth, he always held compassion and love in his heart. He protested peacefully, not with retaliating violence. In a word, he did not let grudges consume his soul. 

You and I might not be faced with the violence and discrimination that was foisted against the blacks of that day, but we all face the temptation of holding a grudge. It might be against a spouse, a business partner that wronged you, some unkind words spoken against you at church, being treated unfairly, or being on the receiving end of negative office gossip. But, grudges hurt the holder deeply, and cut away the blessings God has for our lives. 

The Living Bible paraphrase eloquently but simply puts the case this way, “Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessing. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives” (Hebrews 12:15).

I don’t know about you, but I hunger for the blessings of God – especially His best ones! I must confess to you that I find it so easy to get agitated and stew and fuss at some criticism or having someone not believe the way I do. It tastes so good to nurture and pamper a grudge. 

But the Bible is right. When I cling to a grudge, I rob myself. I lose my energy, creativity, joy, happiness, peace, and it seems like the whole world becomes sour - like a lemon shoved in my mouth.

I have learned through personal experience, that when I slough off the bitter grudge, and fill my heart with forgiveness, compassion, and love, that good things return again to my life. 

So…like Martin Luther King, Jr., roll the grudges away from you. It is far better to create space in your heart and fill it with compassion, love, and forgiveness. Let the blessings of God bring forth rich and positive fruit in your soul and life. He loves you.

Dr. Newman teaches at Faith Evangelical Seminary, Tacoma. He and his wife, Esmie, have their website, www.Bible-teaching-about.com. It includes an online Bible academy, free Bible studies, affordable ebooks, and you can send in any Bible questions you have. They will soon have their books up on Amazon.com.