"No Place For Hard Feelings"

  Too many times those in Christ Jesus allow their emotions to determine their stance more than the Lord! Emotions are terrible 'lords'. When people live by their emotions to determine this or that, it makes one desensitized to their own villianous heart when they take aim at someone they don't like. Paul knew that Satan was a schemer (II Cor. 2:11) and Satan will use whatever advantage he can take over us. One of Satan's greatest tools in the Lord's church is hard feelings toward other brothers or sisters. Hard feelings are a terrible doctrine, a mistaken doctrine! The question pops up...how? Hard feelings are not based on dying to self but protecting self! There is no mercy shown in hard feelings but only anger and resentment. Does that sound like a sacrificing love? Hard feelings are nothing but pure emotions driving an individual to hate.

  The churches of Galatia had some brethren in them that turned on Paul. What did he do? Allow his feelings to determine his course of action or the Lord? "You have done me no wrong." (Gal. 4:12) They had done Paul little right but he wasn't going to allow that to rule. Listen as he continues: "Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Gal. 4:15-16) Paul was back to the starting point with these brethren trying to form Christ in them...AGAIN! (Gal. 4:19)

  That's the problem isn't it? When we allow our emotions to rule and determine how we feel about another, we give Satan the ground he needs to take us into reasonings of the mind, excuses and seeking for faults in those we are upset at. Where is Christ found in that? People allow their emotions to be their lord. Camps are established and banners are flown over the camps saying, "The truth!" Where is the building up of one another in the love of Christ? Where is mercy, unity and service? It's not there because Christ isn't there! Christ needs to be formed in those hearts again.

  Next time you find someone in your life that is under the power of hard feelings, do this little thing: Pray for them. I mean, really pray for them with sincerity of heart. It's then the Lord does His greatest work. Just watch and see.