Reading: James 2:1-5,8
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong; God has chosen the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Cor 1:27-29)
“When Hagar saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes” (Gen 16:4). Hagar was still the maid and Sarah was still the mistress. What changed, that suddenly Hagar’s view of Sarah changed? A blessing that she had received from God. We see little children despising a handicapped classmate. They are too young to understand that God could have made them disabled too. Youth may despise those who are not as good-looking or as intelligent as they. Women may despise other women who appear less blessed than they.
The Bible says, “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbour” (Prov14:21). We despise others by knocking on their head. This is done in various ways by various people. Some pass crude remarks about the other’s work or exalting one’s own work above the other’s. If you cannot have a word of appreciation for the other but keep praising your own work comparing it to the other person’s, you are putting her down. The better-than-thou attitude is a way of despising others.
We can despise our parents by disregarding their counsel (Prov15:5,20). Especially when they become old and at our mercy, we tend to lose respect for them (Prov 23:22). The punishment for such behaviour is terrible (Prov 30:17). Religious pride can also make us despise others. Jesus narrated a parable of how a proud Pharisee went away empty while the tax-collector whom he despised went home justified (Lk 18:9).
We should not despise others who do not eat like us, dress like us or behave like us (Rom 14:3). It is common for us to despise children and youth because they are not as mature as we. So give allowance to age and treat the younger with respect (1 Cor 16:11). We should especially be careful not to despise the poor, which comes naturally for us, because God loves and cares for them (Js 2:6).
Have a loving and kind smile for everyone.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Reading: James 2:1-5,8
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong; God has chosen the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Cor 1:27-29)
“When Hagar saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes” (Gen 16:4). Hagar was still the maid and Sarah was still the mistress. What changed, that suddenly Hagar’s view of Sarah changed? A blessing that she had received from God. We see little children despising a handicapped classmate. They are too young to understand that God could have made them disabled too. Youth may despise those who are not as good-looking or as intelligent as they. Women may despise other women who appear less blessed than they.
The Bible says, “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbour” (Prov14:21). We despise others by knocking on their head. This is done in various ways by various people. Some pass crude remarks about the other’s work or exalting one’s own work above the other’s. If you cannot have a word of appreciation for the other but keep praising your own work comparing it to the other person’s, you are putting her down. The better-than-thou attitude is a way of despising others.
We can despise our parents by disregarding their counsel (Prov15:5,20). Especially when they become old and at our mercy, we tend to lose respect for them (Prov 23:22). The punishment for such behaviour is terrible (Prov 30:17). Religious pride can also make us despise others. Jesus narrated a parable of how a proud Pharisee went away empty while the tax-collector whom he despised went home justified (Lk 18:9).
We should not despise others who do not eat like us, dress like us or behave like us (Rom 14:3). It is common for us to despise children and youth because they are not as mature as we. So give allowance to age and treat the younger with respect (1 Cor 16:11). We should especially be careful not to despise the poor, which comes naturally for us, because God loves and cares for them (Js 2:6).
Have a loving and kind smile for everyone.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
