HOLD NO GRIEVANCES

Genesis 37:32,34-35

They sent the beautiful robe to their father with this message: “Look at what we found. Doesn’t this robe belong to your son?”

Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time.

His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.

It is evil to go about with grievance or hate in the heart. Jacob's son's carried so much hate within them, the reason may not be fully explained.

From whipping out a whole community and looting everything they had to doing evil to their own brother:

Genesis 37:18-20

When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him.

“Here comes the dreamer!” they said.

“Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

Do not carry grievance(s) in your heart, you can never tell what it will lead you to do.

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:23-24

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,

leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Listen, you have no access to God with grief or malice in your heart (spouses take note!)

Cain went ahead to kill his only brother. Esau nursed the temptation to kill his only brother. Here we see Joseph's brother plotting to kill him.

Many point at some sins as grievous like adultery as Reuben faulted, but you see him being the only one who showed compassion to Joseph.

Genesis 35:22a

While he was living there, Reuben had intercourse with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Jacob soon heard about it.

Genesis 37:21-22

But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said.

“Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.

We must completely rid ourselves of these evil practices that destroy the soul.

You can say O I don't steal, I am not a fornicator, I do not lie, yet you carry hatred, bitterness and malice in your heart, you may well be worse off!

Ephesians 5:3-6

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.

Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.

Also,

Ephesians 4:30-32

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Remember:

Romans 12:17-19,21

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

*Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.*

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, 

“I will take revenge; 

I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

and

Hebrews 12:14

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

The brothers thought they were harming Joseph, but it was their father Jacob that carried the burden of pain. He cried and cried and could not be comforted.

Genesis 37:34-35

Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time.

His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.

What wickedness! What pain!

Listen, don't keep grievances in your heart trash out that issue with the one who has offended you or you have an issue with. Don't let the enemy use you to cause pain to others. See, you will not go free!

May we submit ourselves to God by His Holy Spirit that we will not in our foolishness bring sorrow to the innocent and eventually bring disaster to ourselves.

Many run from one church programme to another, from one prayer group to another, but until they root out these evil devices in them, they will never have a good relationship with the Heavenly Father. They will keep running here and there. May we receive wisdom. We will all stand alone before Him. Selah.

John 4:23-24

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Fix your personal relationship with the Heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus and by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Hold no grievance(s)!

Help us Good Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher