I Hope You're Happy - a Rebuke

There's a popular idiom that reads: "One bad apple spoils the whole basket." While this may be a fanciful saying, it is the truth. The same applies to other fruits and vegetables, but fruit and veggies are not the topic. Instead, bitterness, vindictiveness and being mean-spirited are.

Bitterness

God's word tells us something important about bitterness: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31 , ESV).

Rick Warren, the author of "The Purpose Driven Life", stated: "It’s not just what you eat that matters, it’s what eats you. You can have all the right macrobiotics and organic food, but if your body is filled with resentment, worry, fear, lust, guilt, anger, bitterness, or any other emotional disease, it’s going to shorten your life.”

Here we are in the Christmas season and some of you are so bitter that you drive people away not only from yourself but from the platform. You seek revenge on good people to satiate your bitterness. But I have news for those of you who ascribe to this emotional mentality, your bitterness will come back upon you and your regrets will not alleviate your pain nor bring you peace. Take that to the bank and cash it in.

Vindictiveness

Again, God's word, which is infallible and inerrant tells us: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:22-24, ESV). I didn't see vindictiveness included.

Many on this platform possess the complete opposite of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Your eyes dart to and fro, seeking who you may harm. Those of you who do, and I could name a handful of names but will not, will receive your just recompense on the Day of the Lord, unless you repent. He sees your malicious gazes and knows your heart. Do not be misled and think for a moment that what you do in secret is not known.

I am ashamed of my vindictive Filipinos, who are unable to accept the success of others on this platform. Also, those of you who side with them from wherever you hail from. I say this to your collective shame. and rebuke you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He sees all, hears all, and knows all that you think and do. You only fool yourself if you believe otherwise.

Mean-spirited

Much could be said about this vicious emotion and its outward actions. A mean-spirited person is one whose natural impulse is to cause harm or trouble for others. Sure, all of us can be mean-spirited at times, but I speak to those of you who are habitually mean-spirited, much like Ebenezer Scrooge in the classic A Christmas Carol.

Mean-spirited people are not nice to be around. Many who have rejected God are habitually mean-spirited. If you presently possess this damaging emotion, here are some verses to consider:

Our mean spirit wants to seek revenge; but Jesus says to forgive (Matthew 6:14–15).
• Our mean spirit wants to lift itself up; but Jesus says to seek humility (Matthew 23:12).
• Our mean spirit seeks to be first; but Jesus says we are blessed if we choose to be last (Mark 9:35).
• Our mean spirit seeks to want to fight with others; but Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).
• Our mean spirit loves to gossip; but the God's word says to guard our mouths (Proverbs 13:3).
• Our mean spirit is rude; but Jesus says our speech should be gracious (Colossians 4:6).

Closing

Because of the aforementioned commentary on these topics, one of the more popular preachers and teachers is leaving this platform in January. I hope you mean-spirited people are happy about it.

But the good news is that the righteous Jesus has rewarded him with a church right on the beach. Hence, all the bitterness, vindictiveness and mean-spirited behaviors directed towards him worked out well for him.

I admonish you to nevertheless turn from your wicked ways and learn how to live in a different manner. Jesus is able and willing to transform even the most bitter, vindictive, and mean-spirited person into a Spirit-filled disciple.

Don't you think this would be a great season to begin that transformation?