Jerks

Admit it; there are people you don’t like.  Folks that maybe rub you the wrong way or perhaps even willfully earn your ire.  “Let me guess, I gotta pray for them?” you might ask, hypothesizing the topic for today.  “Well…” I answer, “…yeah.”  I mean, Matthew 5:44-45 says,

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

But there’s more to it than just one note from Jesus.  Let’s take a look at what the Holy Spirit opened up to me on dealing with jerks.

I want to establish this early on that I’m leery of even calling the people who hurt and upset us “jerks.”  But I’ve found it’s the least offensive while still effective term to convey one’s feelings about a not-so-good person.  The reason why I’m leery is because God really doesn’t like name-calling.  James wrote,

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (James 3:9-11)

By letting bad words about bad people escape our lips we sully the very body part we use to sing hymns and praise the Lord with.  It’s the same reason why Paul wrote, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4).  But bringing evil out of our mouths to attack others is worse than bad jokes and the like- just check out what Jesus taught on the subject:

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.”  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.  Again, anyone who says to his brother, “Raca,” is answerable to the Sanhedrin.  But anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell (Matthew 5:21-22).

Jesus put name-calling on the same level as murder when it’s done in anger and aggression.  If that’s the case, think of how many murders you’ve committed in the last week by Jesus’ standards!

What really helps to drive this home is to look at it from the perspective of a court case.  The Bible explains,

Brothers, do not slander one another.  Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it.  When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.  But you – who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12)

Although we are to submit to human laws and authority, our ultimate judge is the Lord.  When we are in conflict with somebody our case goes before the ultimate arbiter and his ruling is just and right.  How confident are you in your case?  David, as he dealt with Saul trying to kill him recognized the authority of the heavenly court.  After catching the deranged King Saul unaware, David spared him; explaining,

May the Lord judge between you and me.  And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.  As the old saying goes, “From evildoers come evil deeds,” so my hand will not touch you (1 Samuel 24:12-13).

Rather than get his (defensive) revenge, David spared his former master; realizing that if he stooped to Saul’s level, then he would have proven himself no better than the bad king.  And so, ultimately, the Lord ruled in David’s favor and he inherited the whole kingdom.

So again, I ask: How confident are you in the case against your enemies and those you don’t like?  Can you confidently ask for God’s judgment?  The Lord is our Father, Savior, and Judge my friends.  His rulings are just and complete.  Scripture instructs,

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

This is heavenly legal advice (and I suppose it’d be helpful on earth, too).  If you want the Lord to rule on your behalf, make sure you’re not complicating the case with your own evil actions.  Jerks are jerks.  But being a jerk to a jerk makes you a jerk too in the eyes of God.  We are not to be like other people; instead we have been directed,

Do not let any unwholesome talk 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.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

     Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 4:29-5:2).

And don’t worry, these jerks will get theirs- you just do your part and have faith in our Savior and Advocate.