Feb. 06, 2022

The Awesome Power of Vision

“...Strive earnestly to guard and keep THE HARMONY of the Spirit...” Ephesians 4:3 (Amp)

“God is not a God of disorder. He is the God of peace, and he wants it in all his churches.”   1 Corinthians 14:33 (GW)

HOW TO MAINTAIN HARMONY & PREVENT ‘EXPLOSIONS’

“Do Not Let…”

1.     RESERVE JUDGMENT UNTIL I KNOW ALL THE FACTS & THE WHOLE STORY

“Preserve sound judgment and discernment. DO NOT LET them out of your sight.”                Proverbs 3:21 (NIV) 

“What a shame -- yes, how stupid! -- to decide before knowing the facts!” Proverbs 18:13 (LB) 

“...Don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in.”  1 Corinthians 4:5a (MSG) 

“You should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time. And final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he’ll bring to light dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds.”  1 Corinthians 4:5 (TEV) 

“DO NOT LET anyone fool you by telling you things that aren’t true.”   Ephesians 5:6 (NCV) 

2.  BE SENSITIVE & EMPATHETIC TO WHAT OFFENDS OTHERS

“DO NOT LET yourself cause anyone to be offended, whether they are Jews or Gentiles (non-Christians) or those in the church of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:32 (Amp) 

“Live in harmony and be sympathetic.”      1 Peter 3:8 (GW) 

“DO NOT LET what you know is good to get a bad name.”  Romans 14:16 (TEV) 

“Settle matters quickly with an adversary.”  Matthew 5:25a (NIV)  

“Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if you confess and forsake them, you get another chance.”      Proverbs 28:13 (LB)

“…we can’t just go ahead and do whatever pleases ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of others who are offended. We should think of what’s good for others and build them up by doing what pleases them. For Christ did not please himself. Instead, he felt, as the scripture tells us, ‘When others insult you, it hurts me.’”      Romans 15:1b-3 

3.  LIMIT MY FREEDOM OUT OF LOVE

“DO NOT LET your freedom become an excuse for indulging your selfish nature. Instead, let love make you serve each other. For the whole law of God can be summed up in one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if, instead of showing love, you’re always biting and devouring one another watch out! You’ll destroy each other.  Instead, live by following the Spirit and you won’t do what your self-centered nature craves.”’     Galatians 5:13b-16 (TEV/NLT)

“...Aim for harmony in the church and build each other up. DO NOT LET the eating of food destroy the work of God. All foods are all right to eat, but it is wrong to eat food that causes someone else to sin. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that will cause your brother or sister to sin.”  Romans 14:19-21 (NLT/NCV)

“Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them.”  1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT) 

“I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.”  1 Corinthians 10:33 (NLT) 

4.  ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND KIND

“DO NOT LET selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.”    Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

“DO NOT LET class distinction enter into your faith in Jesus Christ!”     James 2:1 (NJB) 

“Give the same respect to everyone alike. Pay no regard to social standing. Be humble and meet people on their own terms. And don’t think you know it all.”     Romans 12:16 (NJB)

“DO NOT LET kindness and truth ever leave you!  Wear them like a necklace and write them deep within your heart!”  Proverbs 3:3 (NAS) 

“A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can destroy. By our speech, we can...turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke from the pit of hell.”   James 3:6 (MSG) 

“DO NOT LET any harmful words come out of your mouths, but ONLY what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”   Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)