Cordially Malicious

May 8, 2020

Team building takes work. Not everyone is up for the challenge but when the group buys in, the sky’s the limit. I’m working from home and so team building in our office has become a little different because physical separation naturally causes a subtle change to the group dynamic.

We’ve had weekly Skype meetings discussing actions that not only lead to greater trust within the team but are also designed to create cohesiveness so that we’re working towards the same goals even though we’re spread apart.

Last week we talked about righting wrongs.

Yeowww…tough.

Funny… I was reading Psalm 28:3 the other day and I think it applies. It says “Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.” (ESV)

What was your first reaction reading this with me? …gulp

Granted, this verse doesn’t seem to be referring the person who loves the Lord and fails, which we all do. It is a pointed reference to those whose lives are in direct opposition to the ways of God. “Workers of evil” implies a life, a direction, an intent, a purpose that plans evil things through lies and treachery.

Does that mean it doesn’t apply to me, I get a pass? Nope.

The word of God is a light that shines into every facet of my life and so when I read verses like this, I need to invite the Holy Spirit to examine everything. Everything. Especially hidden things like attitudes of falsehood that I can easily conceal.

David is giving us a glimpse into the heart of God. At first I only saw the reference to evil until I looked closer. Re-read the verse. Can you see how God’s heart is so pure that he has to brand anything less than honest as “Evil”?

God does not condone the hypocrisy of us being nice to someone’s face while malicious thoughts about them are tucked into our hearts. Speaking nice but inside, hating. It’s evil.

The NIV uses the word harbor to explain the malice. A harbor is a safe place, protected and secure. Have you ever found yourself sheltering your deliberate ill-will towards others? Have you given it a refuge, a place to hang out and fester? Someone’s name comes up and immediately your ready for battle.

Going back to our work meetings, righting wrongs has a lot to do with being truthful with ourselves (intent) and others (delivery) of the words we speak. As a team if we hurt each other it causes a break down that fuels miscommunication, lack of productivity, work-place bullying, mistrust, anxiety and more.

The key is to come clean and take responsibility for our impact. Own up to our inner thoughts and attitudes as well as our outward actions by using words that heal and encourage and most importantly ask for forgiveness.

I love the way Ephesians 4:29-32 puts it…

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,

with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,

brawling and slander and every form of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV)

I don’t see malice showing up in vs. 32. I don’t see anger, hostility, unkind words & deeds. I don’t see slander or accusations. It’s not that we’re exempt from any of them, instead I see a life being lived in the power of the Holy Spirit that refuses to allow those things a safe place to harbor.

We cannot justify words that come out of our mouths that have the intent to harm, inflict pain, demoralize, disrespect, put down, belittle.

Those kinds of words grieve the Holy Spirit because in the life of a believer they do not represent Jesus!

What represents Jesus?

Being kind

Being compassionate

Forgiving each other

Instead of harboring evil thoughts and malicious intent, let’s let our hearts be a shelter of kindness, compassion and forgiveness. We’re supposed to be thinking of the needs of others and only say things that build them up and encourage them because that glorifies the Lord.

Can I encourage you today to right your wrongs? I know I need to. If we’ve harbored ungodly things in our hearts against someone we would be wise to remember what Christ did for us on the cross. Let’s restore relationships, let’s work at unity and love and forgiveness.

Let’s be a reflection of the one we say we serve.