Armorbearers International

Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. –Romans 12:9-11

Have you ever felt a bit cynical about God’s people; disenchanted with His Church? Recently, I overheard an acquaintance say, “Sometimes, I could hate Church people!” Years ago, I would have been appalled and thought, “How could anyone say they hate their fellow Christians.”

Now, I must admit (though she wasn’t talking to me) I felt myself nodding and mentally agreeing. I can hear some of you gasping, as I confessed to that. Don’t shut me off; I repented for thinking that. But as a Christian leader I felt I must check my heart to see where it came from.

       I traced the feeling back to some old wounds - persecutions from my brothers and sisters in Christ. Lies and mis-understandings were circulated. These were not little lies that go away after a few mentions. But they were vicious lies that wounded me and seem to crop up unexpectedly for a number of years.

What Do I Do When I Am Persecuted?

I know many of you can relate to this. My first and natural reaction was I need to stand up for myself and make right these wrongs. Yet each time, I wanted to say something about it, the Holy Spirit would whisper, “Sssh, quiet…ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you.” (Ro. 12:14) Also, he reminded me that the servant is not above his master. If our Lord was unjustly persecuted then so will we. The only response was and is to forgive. So you know what I had to do after discovering those lingering feelings that made me feel cynical. Yes! You guessed it, forgive. 

         I’ve learned as a born-again Christian that unforgiveness or just plain hard-heartedness can sneak up on you. Each time someone hurts us and we don’t consciously forgive them, it leaves room for the enemy. Or the Holy Spirit whispers apologize to that person – and we don’t obey - it leaves us a little cold. Until before long we’re cynical, bitter spirited and we don’t even remember why.

Why Are Some Christians So Lacking in Brotherly Kindness?

On the other side of that coin, sometimes we as Christians don’t act much like Christians. We’re too religious and self-righteous. Somehow it became our duty to point out the wrongs of every Christian making a stand for anything.

       In that attitude, we could easily become like the man standing praying next to the repentant sinner. "Lord thank you I'm not like that poor sinner." We dress right and look right but our hearts are cold toward the heart of God. We fail to express his heart, his compassion. We don’t operate in brotherly kindness or his love.

         Friends, it shouldn’t be this way in God’s house. He wants us to represent him in spirit and truth. He wants us to have plenty of fruit growing in our lives because we yield to the Holy Spirit. So, here are 3 short tips to increase in the fruit brotherly kindness:

Ask God for his compassion for his people.

Sometimes if our trials and even offenses have been great, it is impossible to get past it on our own. I know a woman that was severely beaten and even stabbed by her husband. It threw her entire life off track. It robbed her of the calling of God as a pastor's wife. She nearly died from the stabbing.

        You can imagine, it took the power of God to clean the stain of unforgiveness from her heart, memory and mind. Perhaps, you haven’t been severely beaten or stabbed but a fellow church member has wronged you. The minister of God has failed you in some way. Forgive them and ask God for his compassion.

         On the other hand, not only do I ask for God’s compassion when I hurt but I ask for his compassion when I’m ministering to the homeless, the shut-in, the prisons, the sick. Why? Because, I know that God’s compassion flowing through me and YOU, will heal someone that needs it the most.

Honor, prefer and acknowledge others above yourself.

Simple respect and honor needs a revival in our society. It is lacking in many places. Once while ministering in a women’s prison to a group known for their rowdiness, the Holy Spirit had me look beyond their sins and their prison clothing. He instructed me to look for something strikingly good about each of them. Then pay them honor and respect for it.

        I took the time to do that. I honored them for having a good heart, for being a good child growing up, for loving people, for being gentle in a hard world…etc. It disarmed them. Needless to say I never had a moment’s trouble any time I went. They honored and respected me. Now, let’s bring that to our practical lives; wives perhaps your husband needs an extra dose of respect. Husbands looking for the key to your wife’s heart; cherish her and honor her more. She’ll give you the key. Leaders and supporters, let’s revive respect and honor among our church teams.

Guard your heart and your fruit.

The Apostle Paul writing to the Galatian believers instructed them, now us to “…Allow the Holy Spirit control of your lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, 23)

         Our enemy the devil many times won’t come to us commanding we do something wrong. Why? Because he knows we love God and won’t do it. But he’s a skilled opportunist seeking whom he may devour. He looks for the opportunity through pain; hurt even fatigue to make us feel justified in harboring unforgiveness, being unkind to one another or even gossip. He’ll whisper tell them what you heard so they can pray. The truth is unrepented sin will block you from being led by God’s spirit. It will hinder you from flowing in God’s compassion for your brother or sister. So guard your heart and the fruit of God in your life and increase in kindness.

         While you are increasing the fruit of kindness, remember the same Holy Spirit that tugged at your heart when you got born-again is the same Holy Spirit that will strengthen you. If needed, He will help you get rid of the sins of the heart and wash you clean so that you can flow in God’s nature and love. Brotherly kindness and compassion for others will rise up and heal you and your world.

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