Wronged

Bible Reading: Philemon

Key Verse: Verse 18  - “ If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;”

Key Words: If he hath wronged thee

When you are wronged by others, what is your response?  When one is wronged, it tells you three things.  First of all, it tells you about the one who inflicts the wrong.  Hurt people, hurt people.  Proud people also hurt people.  Secondly, it tells you about the character of the one wronged, by how they handle being hurt by others.  Those wronged tend to respond in one or more of the following ways.  First, the person of weak character will be highly offended and attempt to get even by threatening, by withholding love, attention, or possessions.  They may even withdraw, move on to another person or place.  The person with strong character will forgive and pray for those who have hurt them.

When Jesus was wronged and falsely accused by the leadership of the Pharisees, He answered them not a word, and while dying on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

If you have ever been wronged by others, here are some verses to remember.

• Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
• Matthew 12:34b, “...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”  (So what are your words saying about your heart?)
• Ecclesiastes 5:2c, “...therefore, let thy words be few.”
• Matthew 7:12, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
• James 3:2b, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.”
• Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” 
• I Peter 3:10, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.”
• Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

I close by giving you four thoughts. 1) Choose your words carefully.  2) Two wrongs never equal a right.  3) Remember, your talk talks, and your walk walks; but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.  4) I am seldom sorry for what I do not say.  But I am often sorry for what I do say.

 

                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do: 

✞Apply the four closing thoughts.