In our lives today we learn that the way to deal with contentious opponents is to strike back at them. We become adept at verbal marksmanship where the objective is to lay our opponent low with a mouth-stopping, heart-piercing, character-assassinating counter attack.
Our tongues become swords. When we are provoked we lash back. Our verbal swordsmanship involves more than simply attempting to parry the blows of an accuser. It also includes initiating thrusts designed to inflict pain and do harm.
Even as Christians, part of our adeptness at retaliation includes the attempt to justify our actions with noble sounding excuses such as, 'in the name of truth;' or, 'in the interest of what is right;' or, 'for the sake of justice I do this.' Yet this approach, like many others inherent to our sin fallen condition, is NOT the way of Christ.
God cannot be in agreement with the man who justifies himself. God justifies the guilty. God vindicates the broken man who recognizes and acknowledges his own sin. God came Himself as a Man, at least in part, to issue us this rebuke, 'You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God' (Luke 16:15).
Having a 'forbearing spirit' means meekness under provocation; a readiness to forgive injuries inflicted on us; it includes a sweet reasonableness to our character when dealing with difficult people.
Forbearance means that I forgo my right to prosecute for a wrong done against me. It is allowing 'mercy to triumph over judgment' (Jas. 2:13). It is recognizing that it is better to be merciful than to be right.
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