Meanness is not a fruit of the Spirit. Yet there seems to be a growing epidemic of meanness. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Somewhere along the way, far too many believers have given themselves permission to be mean. They don't "hate" anyone, but they will get angry, chew people out, name-call, yell and rant...and feel justified when they do it. They smile and say all the right things until something or someone scratches that thin covering over anger that boils just under the surface. Then BOOM, it's on.
Of course, this comes up in hot-button religious and political debates. Issues that evoke strong emotions. But for the moment, I will focus on everyday situations. How do you deal with service people? Cashiers, servers, clerks, customer service reps and call center reps, for example. In general, they aren't highly paid, but often handle difficult, stressful situations. They are there to help you, but they aren't there to be your verbal punching bag to relieve your stress and frustration. God did not give you permission to be mean to them. When your emotions are out of control and you allow your anger to take over, you are basically "throwing up" poison all over them. Your meanness and bad attitude spreads to them like a virus and they will most likely pass it on to someone they feel entitled to verbally attack. Also, you have killed your witness and any opportunity to be used by God in that person's life. What if God had a purpose for coming in contact with that person you just yelled at?
If you find yourself out of control when stress and frustration comes into your day, if you have been mean and hateful to service people (who can't fight back because they would lose their jobs); get to the root of it. It's not about an inept clerk, it is about what is in you. We are like a tube of toothpaste. When we get squeezed, what's in us will come squirting out! Maybe there is too much of the world coming out? If you are filled with the Holy Spirit and God's Word, THAT is what will come out in difficult times.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
With the Holy Spirit and God's Word, you will bring your emotions under submission. That brings peace in every circumstance. THEN you will hear from God. Maybe He has a word for that person who is frustrating you. Maybe your waitress isn't doing a great job because she's having a horrible day or has already had mean customers that brought her to tears. Your words have power and they might just make or break a person's day. Wouldn't you rather be spreading the fruits of the Spirit all over town, than poisonous anger and meanness?
Galatians 5:22-26
~~Arlene Luchie
Of course, this comes up in hot-button religious and political debates. Issues that evoke strong emotions. But for the moment, I will focus on everyday situations. How do you deal with service people? Cashiers, servers, clerks, customer service reps and call center reps, for example. In general, they aren't highly paid, but often handle difficult, stressful situations. They are there to help you, but they aren't there to be your verbal punching bag to relieve your stress and frustration. God did not give you permission to be mean to them. When your emotions are out of control and you allow your anger to take over, you are basically "throwing up" poison all over them. Your meanness and bad attitude spreads to them like a virus and they will most likely pass it on to someone they feel entitled to verbally attack. Also, you have killed your witness and any opportunity to be used by God in that person's life. What if God had a purpose for coming in contact with that person you just yelled at?
If you find yourself out of control when stress and frustration comes into your day, if you have been mean and hateful to service people (who can't fight back because they would lose their jobs); get to the root of it. It's not about an inept clerk, it is about what is in you. We are like a tube of toothpaste. When we get squeezed, what's in us will come squirting out! Maybe there is too much of the world coming out? If you are filled with the Holy Spirit and God's Word, THAT is what will come out in difficult times.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
With the Holy Spirit and God's Word, you will bring your emotions under submission. That brings peace in every circumstance. THEN you will hear from God. Maybe He has a word for that person who is frustrating you. Maybe your waitress isn't doing a great job because she's having a horrible day or has already had mean customers that brought her to tears. Your words have power and they might just make or break a person's day. Wouldn't you rather be spreading the fruits of the Spirit all over town, than poisonous anger and meanness?
Galatians 5:22-26
~~Arlene Luchie
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