Psalm 26:4-6 "…4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. 5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence that I may come near Your altar, O LORD,…"
If God does not hate the evil person then what would we say is "hell", an expression of hate or love? Or is it just "justice"?
Ecclesiasticus 12:6
"For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment."
AND NO!!!! A 22 year old psychology grad has no place counseling others no matter how much training she or he has. Those who are qualified to counsel others must have lived a full life with much experience behind them.
1 Timothy 3:6-7 "6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.…"
There is far too much to learn, not just by a few experiences but having worked through many of life's difficulties while following Christ in order to counsel with wisdom.
Those who believe they are qualified to counsel others about life when they have just barely escaped the home of their parents, should learn in short order that their skimpy life experience does not allow them enough wisdom to counsel those who have lived three times longer.
And NO, book learning from a psychology book does not replace or override the value of experience. We must also remember that living a long life does not automatically afford wisdom to many. There are those who have lived a long life who have not learned very much of value because they have not sought God nearly most of their lives.
It is only seeking God through life experiences that God shows us His wisdom, which far ought weighs any human wisdom a college professor can afford.
In this world of arrogance and excessive praise we have allowed the youngsters to believe they can have the wisdom of a long life without having lived it first.
Proverbs 19:20
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
Leviticus 19:32
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord."
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."
Proverbs 16:31
"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life."
Attempts at forcing others to be like them through intimidation, mocking and manipulation does nothing except perhaps cause the coerced one to hide their real selves,
The best way to interact with others is to tell the truth and leave their responses to them and God. If they do not listen then we are free to walk away.
We cannot change anyone's heart, we can only influence with words, if the words are not received then we must go away and leave them to think and pray about it.
All too often people who think of themselves as superior to other will choose mean spirited actions and words to guilt someone into submission to them. This has more to do with control over us than it does with truth.
When we find theological differences that are important and cannot be resolved then we must move on to those who who are in agreement.
We love all believers in Christ but we cannot have fellowship with them all. Two cannot walk together who are not agreed.
Unity is not based on choosing to compromise, it is based on deeply investigating the word together to discern truth. When someone will not discuss a matter in the word then there is nothing more we can do to resolve the disagreement.
Ephesians 4:2-4 "…2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;…"
When we have to leave or let someone go we still love them and pray for them. May the Lord guide us as we are led by Christ in these decisions. May the Lord help believers to seek truth together. May all arrogance be removed from stubborn hearts as we all grow in holiness.
1 Peter 2:1-10 "1 Peter 2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
As Newborn Babes
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
2 like newborn babies, long for the [e]pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
As Living Stones
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in [l]Him will not be [m]disappointed.”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,”
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Proverbs 23:7
"7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you.""
Whatever way we think is what drives us to actions. Deep down in our soul is the essence of how we think, whether we realize it or not.
Our thoughts produce actions, no matter how much we wish to justify ourselves we cannot separate our thoughts from our actions.
If there is contempt in the heart there are mean spirited actions, sometimes covert, sometimes overt, but in either case the heart is engaging in hatred.
If there is love in the heart there are kind actions that are demonstrated.
Satan plants fear in the heart of the controller causing the controller to generate drama and trouble toward those he wishes to harm. Those who walk in fear feel a sense of the need to control others either to protect themselves or to get what they want from those they dominate.
Those who readily attack others when there is no good reason, are showing their inner fear of losing control of themselves and others.
The devil plants thoughts of fear in hearts leaving his victims feeling vulnerable. When someone feels a loss of control they will act in irrational ways to gain back what they believe they have lost.
We see this in politics, churches and families as we move through this life.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering."
Many people compare themselves with others, even inaccurately to justify their elevated position in their own minds. Rather than comparing their status with God they can feel superior by comparing themselves with others around them. This causes a controlling spirit to attempt to dominate others.
2 Corinthians 10:12-16
"12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
Those who attempt to control others through manipulation and intimidation are demonstrating a fearful spirit. They cannot be trusting Christ and free in their soul when domination is present.
