“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:31-32).
Years ago I was in Detroit, and I met a woman who was raised in a Communist-bloc country. While I was visiting with her, a news broadcast came on. And as we sat there listening to it, suddenly tears came to her eyes.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
Although I hadn’t noticed it, the news commentator had said something derogatory about the president. “I don’t like to hear anybody talk about this country like that” she said. “I don’t care whether it’s true or not. I don’t want to hear it.”
The newscaster’s comment had slipped right by me. But it had brought tears to her eyes. Why? Because she had a sensitive heart where this country is concerned.
We need to be more like that dear lady when it comes to our pastors, our teachers, our evangelists and even our fellow believers.
We need to realize that our own insensitivity has driven the anointing of the Holy Spirit from many of our lives and our churches. We need to realize that the license we’ve given ourselves to criticize other members of the Body of Christ has weakened us all.
What will strengthen us again?
The power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit that falls on every sensitive and seeking heart.
I urge you to regain the tender heart you once had. Remove the callouses within you by repentance, by a commitment to live the law of love, by a renewed devotion to the Word and by fellowship with your Father.
Don’t allow the condition of your heart to hold back the Spirit of God. Become sensitive again!
Scripture Reading: Eph. 4:1-13
Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka: Kenneth Copeland Ministries
For the last 50 years Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have been passionately teaching Christians all over the world how to apply the principles of faith found in God's WORD to their lives.
They have seven ministry offices around the world: United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Ukraine and Latin America. Their God-given directive is to preach and teach the uncompromised WORD of God on every available voice, which is being accomplished through a variety of channels, including our Believer's Voice of Victory TV and radio broadcasts, podcast and magazine; Believers' Conventions, Victory Campaigns and Living Victory meetings; published books, website, and social media channels, to name a few.
With the expansion of technology, they have more work to do now than ever. They are determined to let the world know Jesus is LORD, and they are not slowing down anytime soon!