Saturday, October 27, 2012

Matthew 5:44

Posted by 2DI4 at 7:02 PM

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.


When our Lord Jesus warned us about being despitefully used He used the Greek word epereazo {pronounced ep-ay-reh-ad’-zo), which refers to a number of offenses. Epereazo means: 1) to insult, 2) to treat abusively, use despitefully, 3) to revile, 4) in a forensic sense, to accuse falsely, 5) to threaten. In short, the word can refer to both physical as well as emotional abuse, including slander, defamation of character, false accusations, and so on. Epereazo refers to mistreatment at the hands of another. Another interesting aspect of this word in the context of Matthew 5:44 is that it is a Present Active Participle, meaning that the action of the verb is durative. In other words, our Lord says:
... pray for them that keep on despitefully using you ..
Jesus is not talking about an isolated incident, He is referring to someone who keeps on mistreating you. This person may or may not repent of their action. They may either continue the abuse, or else cease the abuse after a time – but the believer's response is conditioned, not to the action of the offender, but to the command of Christ.

I just did a google search for despitefully use and I found that paragraph. 

Despitefully use-in a maliciously spiteful manner-continually. 

I need to separate the actions from the man. I've always been able to do this. How did I let this go so far??? I think it's worse because I forced myself to ignore what he did to focus on and throw the party I committed to produce. Any adult individual who attends church each Sunday is trying to become like the Savior. That is a good quality. How can I hate someone who is trying to be more like Him?  

While this isn't an LDS source, I appreciate the insight. David definitely fits this description. President Dieter Uchtdorf's talk is exactly what I needed. I keep rereading it. We have visiting teaching tomorrow. I need to get my phone downstairs. Jonni's staying with Josh so it will be easy for us to just go to Laura's house. I'm giving the lesson. I need to read it. 

I don't hate people. Even people that annoy me that I can't stand. I just don't care about them enough to have any feelings at all. How did this happen? If I dislike someone I just don't spend time with them and I am fine. Maybe I've been doing that all wrong. Perhaps this is something I need to experience and grow from. The only reason why I hate him is because I give a damn. I do love him. There are many things I love... so what if I can't bring myself to think about any of them right now. I know they're there.There was a time NOT so long ago when I thought he was amazing. Now not so much.

While hate is NOT optimal it IS evidence that I care. 

Positive things about David:
-He works in the temple.
-He is active in the church.
-He is brilliant.
-He did help me with my car that one time. 
-When he is normal he is fun. 
-He is finishing graduate school.
-He is the perfect gentleman on a date. 
-He is talented.
-He can be kind when he wants to be.
-He is 1/2 Asian.

I'm going to be alright. My spiritual state is going to get better each day NOOOT WORSE. I am going to reach ALL of my goals AND overcome these ill feelings. I choose to stop them NOW!!!



 

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