Do not say what is wrong in other people’s lives. Then other people will not say what is wrong in your life. Do not say someone is guilty. Then other people will not say you are guilty. Forgive other people and other people will forgive you. (Luke 6:37 NLV)
We often spend a lot of time and energy trying to change others, especially their behaviour towards us. It’s time to accept the fact that we are powerless to change anyone but ourselves. When assessing another’s behaviour, we are typically legalistic judges and penalty givers. When assessing our own behaviour we are naturally justifiers and grace givers. We usually judge others as being in error but ourselves as being misunderstood. Change comes when we examine and repent of ways that we are treating others, particularly in what we are saying and doing in contradiction of God's word.
It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor. If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! (Proverbs 14:21-23 NLT)
As we come to God, seeking healing from the hurts we have buried, God will comfort and strengthen us by the power of His Holy Spirit, so that we can forgive those who caused us harm. In turn, as we confess our hurtful actions and bitter words towards others, God will give us the courage to make amends to those we have harmed.
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19 NLT)
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19 NLT)
God, through His beloved son Jesus, truly is in the business of restoration. The basis of a Step 8 list is to prepare us to make amends so that we may embrace a future where, as much as it depends on us, we may live life at peace with ourselves and with those around us.
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