Scripture Reading: Psalm 15
“He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” Psalm 15:3, NKJV
Lead a balanced life, treat people well, keep a good attitude. We have The Nature of Christ, so we have to do good, help people, & we treat people well. Don’t mistreat people, God doesn’t Like it when we mistreat people. We apologize to people when we offend them. ‘Do unto others what as you would like them to do unto you’ – we should all be good to others. Set your mind to have a Godly Character & treat people well.
Psalm 15 is a contemplation about the kind of person who experiences God’s Presence at all times. Six of the Ten Commandments that express God’s holy, moral law are directed to our actions toward others. In today’s verse, the scriptures instruct on three things we must not do if we want to enjoy God’s Presence in all that we do.
(1)Don’t backbite with your words. To backbite is to slander or tell a false story about someone when the person is not present. Literally, it is taking a bite at a person behind his back. God does not take kindly to anyone who slanders another. In some parts of the Bible, backbiters are listed alongside murderers, and immoral people, as the vilest of sinners. Those who delight in spreading or listening to tales about others will never know the delight of dwelling in God’s Presence.
(2)Don’t be touchy, and easily to offend – treat people well. Don’t do evil to a neighbour. Jesus clearly taught that loving our neighbors is second only to loving God. It is impossible to love God and hate your neighbor. If we love our neighbours, we will not sin against them in any way. However, it is not sufficient to merely refrain from taking action against someone. This also includes not wishing any ill will towards any individual. Remember, God knows our hearts, so our consciences must also be clear towards our neighbors.
(3)Don’t criticize your friend. The person who desires to dwell in God’s Presence will say nothing that is even questionable about others. He or she is careful not to suggest anything that will bring accuse another person. Quite the opposite, they will look for ways to edify others and to esteem others better than themselves. The Bible Clearly Says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”, (Eph 4; 29)
The way we treat others, affects the way God treats us. When we forgive others, He Forgives us; when we are merciful to others, He is Merciful to us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I yield my tongue to you. Use my words to bring life, healing, and edification to others.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
