Lesson 25 - July 16, 2001

Ø Christian Response or How to deal with others.

1. Do not respond in kind 1 Pet 3:8-9

- vs:8 some positive Christian virtues.

- vs:9 a negative command "not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult,"

** Control of the tongue is a sign of the healthy heart/mind.

- "but giving a blessing instead;"

> What does Peter assume here?

That the believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit has some doctrine, knows what is right and is willing to apply it; if that is the case, then there is something possible, that we're able to control our response!

2. In a non-Christian world, we must expect to be treated in a non-Christian manner!

- John 15:18

3. Our reactions reveal something; what is dominate in our minds at the moment of the stimulus.

We have basically 2 options.

Joseph had the capacity from his doctrinal frame of reference grid to see the good things in life and the things we would consider the bad things, all within the framework of the Sovereignty of God.

4. One of the typical reactions to being wronged is to complain!

Definition: Complaining is to quarrel with my circumstances!

Phil 2:14

* Moses pointed out the real focus of grumbling and complaining! Ex 16:8

5. Our reactions are determined by what is internal not external.

What's the difference between these two statements?

What's the difference in responsibility?

#1 You hurt my feelings =

#2 I let you hurt my feelings =

When they rain on my parade, What am I called on to do?

Col. 3:12-13 See here how down to earth and realistic the WOG is!

6. The external may precipitate a reaction, but the external is never to control it!

Ext our #1 = DVPT/H-S enabling power

Circ Reaction #2 = OSN/emotion/huvpt

** What does all this mean?

As we have already seen volition controls what we think, the way we think, what stays in our thinking and what we are occupied with.