Self-Inflicted

Self-Inflicted

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves."
II Timothy 2:25

Rather than use words that are not as acceptable, and can be devastating to loved ones, newspapers will talk about wounds that are "self-inflicted", those injuries that we cause to ourselves. They can range from the most serious situations that take a life to kitchen accidents that are as embarassing as they are painful.

But there may be areas where our wounds, our problems and difficulties in life, are not that obvious, but are self-inflicted nonetheless. Paul was referring to that when he spoke of people who oppose themselves. They do things that are contrary, directly opposite, to the outcome they are hoping for in their life. Here are a few examples that hopefully will stir us to search our hearts for any areas where we are hurting ourselves:

Stabbing ourselves with our words!
Proverbs teaches us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our words have the ability to bless our life or to curse it. When we speak negatively about ourselves or about someone we love, when we complain about the circumstances of our life, about what we have or don't have, or concerning other situations that affect us, we end up hurting ourselves. Words have creative power. Remember, the Lord spoke the world into existence! Make it a habit to guard your words-no more self-inflicted wounds that come about because of the words of our mouth (see Psalm 19:14)

Strangling ourselves by not tithing
The list of promises and the flow of blessing that come to those who are faithful in tithes and offerings is pretty impressive. Most of us would welcome the Lord "throwing open the floodgates of heaven" for us. Rebuking the devourer and overflowing blessings are promises to those who express their trust in the Lord and demonstrate their obedience by tithing, giving a part of what we are blessed with back to the Lord. Just as strangling cuts off the flow of blood, not tithing cuts off the flow of God's blessing in areas not of our choosing. Another area of self-inflicted wounding to be avoided.

Poisoning ourselves with bitterness, unthankfulness, ..........
None of us would knowingly poison ourselves, eating or drinking something that would hurt or harm us. But bitterness is a type of poison that can do serious damage. So can listening to another person complain. So can an unthankful heart. And if we wouldn't drink poison in the natural, why keep doing it in spiritual areas. The result is even more devastating, even if it is unseen to the human eye.

Sometimes, the blame for the problems we find ourselves in is found right in the mirror, that person whose face we see reflected back to us. And we've all heard the saying about being "our own worst enemy", a reference to those problems we cause ourselves, the self-inflicted wounds that the Lord is challenging us today to eliminate. Search your heart and the choices you make. Commit to the changes that are needed. I'm pretty sure you'll be a lot healthier as a result.

God Bless,
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church