Tag: grudge

Crucifying The Flesh

Being a follower of Christ demands constant self-examination. Each day, we wake up asking, “What do I need to work on today?” One persistent battle we face is the flesh, our sinful nature that pulls us off track, like that wobbly Walmart shopping cart wheel that requires constant correction.

Carl Pollard

Being a follower of Christ demands constant self-examination. Each day, we wake up asking, “What do I need to work on today?” One persistent battle we face is the flesh, our sinful nature that pulls us off track, like that wobbly Walmart shopping cart wheel that requires constant correction. Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” But what does it mean to crucify the flesh, and how do we live it out in a world brimming with temptation?

In Galatians 5, Paul describes the flesh not as our physical bodies but as our sinful desires that rebel against God. Galatians 5:17 explains, “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; they are contrary to one another.” The flesh urges us to lash out in anger, indulge in lust, gossip, or hold grudges. Paul lists its acts: sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19-21). These are symptoms of a heart not fully surrendered to God. The flesh promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness, chaining us to sin. Recognizing this enemy within is the first step to living for Christ.

Crucifixion, in Roman times, was a brutal, final punishment. Paul’s use of this term signals a decisive, no-turning-back commitment to put sinful desires to death. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). This daily choice means saying no to pride, bitterness, or greed and yes to humility, forgiveness, and generosity.

The key to crucifying the flesh lies in belonging to Christ. When we surrender to Him, we’re united in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:5-6). His victory over sin becomes ours, and His Spirit empowers us to resist temptation. This is why Paul confidently states we “have crucified” the flesh, a present reality for Christians. Living like we belong to Jesus means choosing the Spirit daily, allowing it to produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives.

To crucify the flesh, start with confession and repentance, naming and turning from sin (1 John 1:9). Rely on the Spirit through prayer and God’s Word. Choose daily obedience, saying no to temptation and yes to love. Crucifying the flesh isn’t restriction, it’s liberation, freeing us to run the race God has set before us. What needs to be nailed to the cross today? Lay it at Jesus’ feet and live the life He promised.

If You See Something, Say Something

Landon Bryant

Most of us have probably heard this phrase at one time or another in our life’s journey. This slogan was originally coined by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY MTA) in response to the 9/11 attacks. Later, it was adopted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

For many this slogan brings about feelings of patriotism, but for some there isn’t much meaning at all. Regardless of how this phrase rests on your eardrums it does get to the heart of a very key principle in Christianity. 

Responsibility. Each and every Christian has certain responsibilities. Collectively we can call these the base responsibilities of a member. Furthermore if in the course of your Christian walk you enter into a more specific “church role” you will acquire more responsibilities along the way. Teachers, Preachers, Deacons, Elders, etc. all have their own responsibilities to uphold for Christ’s church. 

For an easy illustration, if someone is teaching a Bible class and they stumble in that role, the church collectively has a responsibility to lift up that individual with love, patience, and gentle correction as shown in 2 Timothy 2:24-26:

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” ESV

Or more succinctly in Ephesians 4:15: 

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Speaking in a broad sense, many of those that make up the Lord’s Church have no problem with the “correction” aspect of these verses, but the “truth in love” bit is infinitely harder for many. I know I myself have certainly been guilty of this.  One of my base responsibilities as a member is to try and make amends with those whom I have been guilty of falling short with. This is referenced in numerous passages, James 5: 16 being only one of many. 

So I ask you now to reflect on what your roles and responsibilities are as a part of the Lord’s church. Are you a Member? Deacon? Preacher? Elder? Teacher?

Have you ever fallen short in your role? Of course you have! None of us is perfect. But go one level deeper. Even if you acknowledge your shortcomings, did you address the matter with whomever you were guilty? Even when you were factually or doctrinally correct, were you leading with love? Maybe you are the party that was wronged. If you are still harboring a grudge, you need to sort that out. It’s not about who apologizes first; it’s about the heart of everyone involved and only you and God know your heart. 

I’m not necessarily calling for us to go digging up every skelton we have in our respective closets, but we should attempt to bury the proverbial hatchets within our day-to-day walk. And if a specific instance has come to mind with this article, I might suggest starting there. The very fact that there are guidelines for gentle correction and rebuke means we should all be open to correction regardless of what role we occupy. 

But, as with many things in life, there is a bright side to this topic. Nowhere in the phrase “If you see something, say something” does that imply it has to be accusatory or complaining. If you see someone serving in their role who lets their light shine brightly, acknowledge that brother or sister. Don’t assume they already know, and don’t assume someone else will tell them. 

Have you ever noticed someone serving silently in the background for year on year and thought to yourself how wonderful their own personal ministry is? Don’t keep those thoughts to yourself. Tell them. Say a prayer for them. Give them a high five. Volunteer to help them out every once in a while. 

Maybe you have been sitting on the sideline pews and you have been toying with the idea of teaching a class, leading a devotional, volunteering to cook a meal, host a get together, etc. We can all use our talents to glorify God in various ways. 

Wherever you find yourself in your Christian walk, reflect on your shortcomings, reflect on your successes, even your middle grounds, in general where can you improve? Have you left anything undone? Is something weighing on you?

In closing, I again ask you very explicitly to recall a time where you fell short in your current role, recall a time where you fulfilled your responsibilities adequately. Romans 3: 23 tells us that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, so each and everyone of us has something to think about in both a negative and positive light here. Take those reflections and apply them to your walk going forward. 

Burying Your Resentment

Neal Pollard

Linda Sides, wife of one of the preachers at Sixth Avenue church of Christ in Jasper, Alabama, shared a startling picture with me that she took in a West Virginia cemetery.  The backstory, as much as is known, is interesting.  Apparently, a mother did not want to be cremated but her two daughters went against her wishes.  Another child, a son, had a gravestone made with this epitaph:  “IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER IVA PRITT WHO PASSED AWAY JANUARY 1, 1978, AND TO HER TWO DAUGHTERS WHO WENT AGAINST HER WISHES. MAY THEY BURN IN HELL. ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU. D.”  We don’t know what kind of relationship the siblings had with each other or with their mother prior to the matriarch’s death.  What we know is that the grudge held by the son has been memorialized for at least 37 years through the engraving on that marker.  By this time, perhaps all the children have died, too.  Where they went for eternity is unknown, but it’s quite possible this man went to his own grave carrying the burden of bitterness and resentment.

Perhaps few have carried their vendettas with such graphic vehemence as Iva’s son, but I have known quite a few whose verbal clues reveal as virulent a strain of visceral irritation.  In the Bible, Herodias was said to have “had a grudge against him (John) and wanted to put him to death…” (Mark 6:19).  She was living in sin and righteous John preached against it. Her response was to feel resentment for what he had done.  Sometimes, an accurate message is received with absolute acrimony. A different Greek word is used in James 3:14 “pertaining to feeling resentful” (Louw and Nida, 1996, n/p).  In reading James, this is a feeling that they may have had toward the world but more likely against their own brethren.  How many churches have had works stalled and stopped, have experienced an atmosphere of severe tension, or have even been split because of unresolved bitterness and resentment?

With resentment being so harmful to ourselves and others, how can we bury it?  First, let it go.  This is an intentional exercise and will not occur without conscious mental effort and energy. Read Ephesians 4:31-32.  Second, give it to God. Stop carrying it and hand it to Him.  All cares can be safely transferred to His capable hands (1 Pet. 5:7).  Finally, mend fences.  Remember Paul’s encouragement that “if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18).  You are not accountable for the peace-breaking disposition of others, but you are “so far as it depends on you.”

Do you have any “headstones” to destroy?  Do you have hatchets to bury—including the handles?  Don’t waste any more time. Let it die and bury it!