God Warns Against Epicaricacy

"Epicaricacy"

I learned a novel word.

But I hope I won't travel guilty of it.

This give-and-take agency "Rejoicing at or deriving pleasance from the misfortunes of others."

Our fallen human nature sometimes derives pleasance from the hurting of our enemies. Even worse, around folks are jealous of non-enemies too secretly bask the hurting of their friends too relatives. 

God promises each of us volition reap what nosotros sow (Galatians 6:7)*, only He isn't pleased when nosotros bask anyone's misfortune.

"Do non gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, create non allow your pump rejoice, or the Lord volition meet too disapprove too plough his wrath away from them." Proverbs 24:17-18 

God is interested inwards our hearts likewise every bit the hearts of our enemies.

Today direct maintain a 2nd too inquire God to divulge whatever envy, jealousy or epicaricacy you lot mightiness travel feeling toward others.
*Sometimes this isn't fully realized until heaven
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God's Crazy Solution

I’ve sometimes had to struggle bitterness. Have you?

It begins alongside unforgiveness, together with tin Pb to obsessive, negative, together with vengeful thoughts.

Bitterness pleases Satan. It’s ane of his “schemes” to ruin our lives (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

He loves seeing a bitter root strangle our souls, he enjoys epicaricacy, together with he savors broken relationships (Hebrews 12:15).

Bitterness is dark, blinding, together with damaging (1 John 2:9-11).

The answer?

God’s answers together with then oftentimes appear crazy to our fallen human nature, only they are wonderful, life-giving solutions.

God commands us to pray for those who wound us (Matthew 5:44-45).

We don’t pray for them because they deserve our prayers. We pray for them because nosotros are God’s children together with He gives life together with breath together with proficient things fifty-fifty to the ungodly.

In the end, the ungodly volition live on held responsible for their sins, only our prayers volition dissolve our bitterness.

What a wonderful miracle!
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You mightiness besides appreciate 5 Things to Do When Someone Mistreats You. 

You May Non Realize You're Bitter

Recently, I realized I was bitter. 

Typically, I intend of a bitter mortal every bit gritting their teeth amongst hate together with beingness guilty of epicaricacy. 

That’s definitely the worst phase of bitterness. 

But in that place are lesser forms of bitterness that manifest every bit sadness, discouragement, irritability, together with negativity. If nosotros don’t bargain amongst them, they tin plow into the grit-your-teeth kind. 

Some to a greater extent than subtle signs of bitterness:

1. Thinking close the criminal offence often.(1)

2. Having arguments amongst the offender inwards our thoughts. 

3. Repeatedly referring to our criminal offence inwards conversations. 

4. Making sarcastic remarks close our offender. 

So how did I arrive at upwardly one's heed to bargain amongst my bitterness? 

1. Every fourth dimension I intend of the offense, I’ll pray for my offender. 
Matthew 5:43-48
See Set Your Mind or Set Your Alarm.

2. When a idea close the criminal offence enters my mind, I’ll recite or read Scripture. 
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
See 3 Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive.

3. Once I’ve shared the criminal offence amongst my prayer partner, I won’t repeatedly speak close it.
Philippians 4:8-9
See Overcoming Negativity. 

4. I won’t brand sarcastic or caustic remarks close the person.
Colossians 4:6
See If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Do What Mom Said.

If yous convey a work amongst bitterness, I encourage yous to bargain amongst it now.
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(1) See The Power of Negative Self-Talk. 

For lots of insights together with full-text Scriptures on this devotion, cheque out today's Bite Size Bible Study. 

 

8 Narcissist Problems

Our civilization is devolving, taking on to a greater extent than in addition to to a greater extent than narcissistic* characteristics.

This is partly due to dis-proven self-esteem philosophies, in addition to partly due to man's style to resist God's ways.

Below are 8 narcissistic characteristics and
✤ 8 Christian characteristics alongside Scripture.

It's expert to periodically examine ourselves in addition to allow God's Word right us (James 1:22-25;  2 Timothy 3:16-17).

1. The narcissist refuses criticism.
✤ The Christian listens in addition to heeds constructive criticism - Proverbs 15:31.
See: Accepting Correction Collection 

2. The narcissist uses people.
✤ The Christian considers others ameliorate than himself - Philippians 2:1-4.
See: Others First 

3. The narcissist exaggerates her importance, achievements in addition to talents.
✤ The Christian has a realistic persuasion of herself (Romans 12:3).
See: Bragging is Not Biblical

4. The narcissist expects exceptional consideration.
✤ The Christian focuses on treating others considerately (Romans 12:10).
See: 18 Characteristics of Biblical Love

5. The narcissist requires constant attention.
✤ The Christian draws attending to God, non self (Psalm 103). 
See: Self Esteem or God Esteem 

6. The narcissist is frequently jealous.
✤ The Christian rejoices when others succeed (Romans 12:15).
See: God Hates Epicaricacy 

7. The narcissist disregards people's feelings in addition to lacks empathy.
✤ The Christian treats others every bit he wants to last treated (Matthew 7:12).  
See: Empathy

8. The narcissist is obsessively selfish.
✤ The Christian denies himself (Matthew 16:24).
See: Will You Give upward your Seat? 



source: Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Why is Narcissism Increasing
 
For to a greater extent than on this devotion, banking concern jibe out today's Bite Size Bible Study.
 
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Kick 'Em When They're Down

Job was at his lowest point, having lost his cloth possessions, his wellness in addition to his children.

Then his friends came in addition to kicked him piece he was downward (Job 42:7-9).

Paul was inward prison theater suffering for his faith.

Then to a greater extent than or less Christian teachers kicked him piece he was downward (Philippians 1:14-18).

Have you lot e'er been struggling amongst sorrow or hardship alone to direct keep mortal boot you lot piece you're down?

Like Job's friends, to a greater extent than or less people boot amongst a large pes of bad theology, blaming you lot without cause.

Others, similar Paul's colleagues, boot amongst a large pes of jealousy, revenge or epicaricacy, hoping to brand your hurting worse.

When we're hoping for sympathy, it's heart-breaking to become kicked amongst judgment or jealousy. So what tin mail away nosotros do?

1. Seek God, non man, in addition to spend upwardly to convey blame nosotros don't ain (Job 27:5). 
2. Seek God's purposes instead of focusing on our wound (Philippians 1:18-19).
3. Seek God's comfort. When others are kicking, God promises to concur us inward His arms (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
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