But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| Malice: ill will, spite; bibl. "vicious character" by Cathy Vinson |
The destruction of a life. We know lives are destroyed. Saul's life was destroyed, "the fighting grew fierce around Saul" (1 Chr 10:3). The destruction, however, did not come from David's hands even when in full opportunity. David said, "the Lord will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed" (1 Sam 26:10-11). Maliciousness did not live in David's heart. James and John said, "Lord, do you want US to call down fire from heaven and destroy them?" (Lk 9:54). James and John were willing to be the agents of destruction. That is what they perceived Heaven would do for them. Jesus responded with a rebuke. Desiring destruction is "not the spirit you are of." Jesus said, "The Son of Man DID NOT COME to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (vs 54). Jesus' coming brought a new day, a day to be rid of malice. The destruction of a life. God is able to destroy: "the One who is able to save and destroy" (Ja 4:12). God may destroy and can do it in perfection. "But you-who are you..." (vs 12). No, it is not for us to be the vehicle of destruction. "But NOW you must" get rid of all malice. |
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| "But
now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:...malice. (Col 3:8)
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