Bible Notes #2 — Ecclesiates 7:21-22

~ gachorpenning

 

Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding Heart Flowers in my Backyard; photo by GAC

“Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servants cursing you.  Your heart knows that many times you yourself cursed other.”  Ecclesiates 7:21-22 [ESV]

Have a thick skin!  Don’t take personally everything people say.  Don’t be quick to take offense.  If we are slow to take offense, we give people time to reconsider hastily spoken words.  If we are slow to take offense, we allow words and feelings expressed in a moment of anger or frustration to pass away and be replaced by thoughts and feelings based on more information and a calmer spirit.

When we are quick to take offense, we can cement into place negative thoughts and feelings, bitter resentments, and broken relationships that might otherwise have passed if given a little time.

© 2010 Gary A. Chorpenning

Published by gachorpenning

I am a husband, father, and grandfather. The Southwest United States is currently home, though several other places, mostly in the Northeast United States have served that purpose before this. I maintain a YouTube channel of Bible teaching videos and a podcast of Bible teaching audio. I like to make things out of wood and other materials. I like taking photographs and use a lot of them in my blog posts. For thirty-nine years, I served as a pastor of churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.

3 thoughts on “Bible Notes #2 — Ecclesiates 7:21-22”

  1. Hi Gary,
    I always read your blogs, but have never commented. I figure its about time I do. You say so much with so few words here. Scripture that is put into everyday context is powerful. You have started a very good and practical blog site. Thank you for that!
    Erin

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  2. Good counsel from God’s good Word. I am one who might tend to have thin skin and have my feelings easily hurt. Often times people, including myself, speak too quickly and recklessly.
    Proverbs 12:18
    Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

    Words that take no time at all to say can leave lasting wounds.
    James 1:19
    My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

    I find it easier to forgive than to forget. BUT

    1 Corinthians 13:5
    (Love) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

    I need to ask the Lord to allow my heart to remain soft and malleable to be shaped by Him, while at the same time to give me a shield of resilience to words or actions that could penetrate and do damage. A predetermination to choose to forgive is that resilience. Then I can be slow to take offense.

    Colossians 3:13
    Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

    With the wounds from the nails that pierced Him still visible, Jesus forgives.

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  3. We sang Crown Him with Many Crowns in church this morning. It was a great one for me to hear and sing today and this verse reminded me of what I had written in response to your blog post.

    Crown him the Lord of love;
    behold his hands and side,
    those wounds, yet visible above,
    in beauty glorified.

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