In Bible Study last night at my wonderful church, Pastor Ron Hawkins was teaching from Galatians 5. What a powerful Word! I gleaned so much from it I wish I could just copy and paste his notes (smile). But he said something profound, although it is nothing new, it hit me and The Sweetheart at the same time and we were both scrambling to put it into Notes on our iPhones.
Are there people in your life that just bring too much DRAMA?
People that get JOY out of being NEGATIVE?
“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” Galatians 5:7.
In addressing the Galatians, or maybe just a few select people in the Church, Paul asks them a pointed question that our pastor brought out so well:
“You DID run well, who hindered you?” (my paraphrase)
What happened? You were doing well, you were running the race, staying close to God, doing HIS will.
Who hindered you?
Friends, if there are people in our lives that constantly bring us down maybe it is time to clean house. Get rid of the drama, the negative in our lives, even if it means severing so-called “friendships”. That doesn’t mean we don’t love people, or reach for people, but we cannot allow them to influence us to the point of hindering our walk with God.
For the saying is so true, “Garbage IN, Garbage OUT!”
And those that just continually seek to destroy and seem to delight in gossip and rumors? Paul is even more bold in the 12th verse when he says,
“I would they were even cut off which trouble you.”
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17.
Let us surround ourselves with those that are like-minded in Christ.
Those that build up one another, not tear down. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23.
Walk in the Spirit, and let the positive influence of the power of God rule us well.
You may also like Is Your Drama Your Mama?
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Thank you Cindy, love Amaze Me Mondays!
Wonderful post and insight Nannette! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY…
blessings,
Cindy
That is so true Mel! Praying for the Lord to guard my mouth. Thank you for Essential Fridays!
Our words have so much power to strengthen others or to weaken them. Thanks so much for the reminder to think about how we encourage those around us, Nanette. Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Love your prayer, I pray the same thing, although I fail many times, He is patient with ME! ♥
So true Shelly, sometimes it is painful but He always knows what is best! Thank you for taking the time to comment! ♥
This is so true. I lived around negative people all of my life and during my early years of being a Christian, I can say I was pretty negative. I am thankful I’ve come a long way. I continually pray for God to use my words to bring hope and life to others.
One of the blessings about chronic illness is that it mostly does the culling for you. Sometimes it is painful, but it is always for the best. Thank you for linking up with Recommendation Saturday! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Your post made me smile 🙂 The scenario is one that our pastor also mentioned! So happy you “walked away” from this soul that would bring you down with her. You were right, she was only your friend if you were going to chime in with the gossip and negativity! No one needs that. Blessings to you for this wonderful reminder. Thank you!
This post is so true. I have taken myself away from certain people before for this very reason. My husband could always tell if I had been with them too. In fact I was honest with a friend about a year ago because all she did was complain about the pastor. I listen for four hours one day and finally said enough…she has dropped me from her friend list. It’s sad too because I realized she was only my friend if I agreed with her or just sit and listen to her be negative. Good post.
Awesome insight. We have to always be aware of who is influencing us.
The fruit we bear speaks volumes! As does the fruit of the ones who hinder. Good lesson. I have to ponder this one for a spell.