Jesus taught it isn’t how we are treated or what is said to us that matters, those things will most assuredly happen, it’s how we react that matters. Try seeing yourself and others through that lens. Be self aware intently for a time. When someone triggers you, however your instant reaction is, stop, remain quiet, no gestures, examine it, think it through. Recall past words, gestures, responses when you were proud of yourself and when you weren’t. Did someone, or something get the “best of you”, and actually brought out the worst of you. So, so many times in the 27 letters, we read the words of Jesus, Him teaching, preaching, counseling, advocating us that it isn’t what happens TO us that matters, it is how we REACT that does. Why did he say that so often? Want examples, I’ve got plenty, read on. This is part one, part two coming soon.
I speak so much about the Living Word of God that is renewed daily within us, that lives in us, even the Holy Spirit that reveals truth moment by moment, advocates for us, cares for us, counsels us, and loves us. Those that have the Spirit of Truth in them know that the written Word also agrees. Spirit begets Spirit, and Spirit recognizes Spirit. Here are some written examples with Living Word text.
Turn the other cheek. When someone strikes you, do you get angry, retaliate, eye for eye? Or do you stop, think, love, and meet that aggression with compassion? “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:39 NIV
When someone’s mind is made up to make your day, do you think anything you do will change their minds? No, the only thing you can do is be who Jesus asks you to be, and by that example, possibly change their heart, because that’s where change happens.
It is not what goes in to a man that makes him unclean, but what comes out. “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” Mark 7:15
If someone asks you to go one mile, go two. If someone asks you to do something that you don’t think is fair, too big an ask, takes more effort than you think is justified, requires more love from you than yo think you have, especially if it benefits them and not you, and you get no return from it, not even pay, how do you react? “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
Matthew 5:41 NIV
If someone asks for your cloak, give him your tunic also. Again, if someone demands more of your resources than you are willing to give, what is the reaction that would please God, and perhaps not yourself? If you forgive a friend, that is nothing special. An easy ask, especially if they are remorseful and say that. How do you forgive an enemy, especially if they are not remorseful, and do not repent? Forgiveness is not for the forgiven, its for the forgiver. Giving forgiveness should be something we eagerly seek to react to. “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:42 NIV
Again, if your reaction is one of love, when they expect a fight, what will they think of you? That you are weak, easily defeated? It’s like throwing a change up in baseball, when the batter is expecting a fastball. They will shake their head in wonder, and, when the dust clears, they will consider your example in their heart. “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” Matthew 5:40 NIV
Pray for your enemies. Maybe the most difficult ask of Jesus? His example was the cross he died on. Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Most people have enemies because they don’t know how to make and keep friends. Love is what they lack, for themselves, for others, for God. For if they truly loved all three, they would not make enemies, or war. If they had ever felt God’s true love for them, they would consider that above all else. When they have not, they cannot. And if those that have been loved, and love, they did make an enemy, by mistake, and become aware, they would seek to make things right between them. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Matthew 5:44-46 NIV
Jesus said do not be afraid do not let fear be your reaction to anything. Do not let anything make you anxious remain with his peace as your reaction to external threats. Do not worry let your reaction be a mind of peace and contentment. Fear, anxiety, worry, they all do not use faith. Faith overcomes them. But only if the heart is determined, all in, and desires above all else for them to be gone, and not exist in that heart. There can be no giving in, no relenting of faith, no compromise. The Holy Spirit power is True and fierce, and removes filth and sin from a heart that is willing and trusts in Him completely, holding nothing back, to do it. “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27 NIV
“For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:32-33 NIV
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NIV
Blessed are you who show mercy for you will be given mercy by the father. Mercy and grace are things we discover are real when we are born again. Since we, who have not deserved it, are granted both by the Father, and we know the peace that comes from having them been gifted to us, we cannot hold them back from others and should freely give and offer them when needed, for we know now the benefits of their fruit. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV
Have you been in a spot, and had to declare your faith in Jesus publicly? Do you hesitate to share either the written Word, or the Living Word of God, when the Holy Spirit prompts you? This one is so simple, your reaction is one way, the only way. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
For if you do not react in the Way that pleases the Father, and you should study to know what this really means, “Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Do you get angered easily by trivial things? Simple explanation here. “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:22 NIV
When you are tempted how do you react? Again, this is a simple one. Be honest, how guarded are you to make sure your eyes are pure? They are the entryway to your soul, guard them well. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 NIV
And if someone offers you a bribe in sheep’s clothing, do you take it and say it isn’t much, it’s just a thank you, no harm done? Corruption waits for all those who do not stay alert to avoid it! This is not just money, its a selling of the soul for something to be gained. Like an overreaction, an exaggeration of the truth to make a point, and make what you say more significant than it ought to be. “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 NIV
When a homeless person asks for a hand out, when a poor person doesn’t have enough at the check out counter, what do you do? “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 NIV
When you meditate on God, and your relationship, when you communicate with Him in prayer, how do you act? “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8 NIV
A big one forgiveness. “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12. This is a spiritual law, a command from God, something not to mess with, to respect at the highest level. Forgiveness is first for the forgiver, not secondarily the forgiven. The stakes are high in both cases. Explanations are not worthy or necessary. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
