How to Overcome Malice

Daily Devotional: Monday, May 13, 2024
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV)

The human heart has a destructive energy known as malice. It can take many different forms, such as resentment, wrath, bitterness, and a desire for vengeance. Malice can contaminate relationships, sow discord, and impede our walk with God if it is allowed to run amok. But we are called, as Christ-followers, to triumph over hatred with love.

How to Get Rid of Ill Feelings

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice,” the apostle Paul warns Christians.” (Read Ephesians 4:31). These remarks serve as a reminder that a Christian’s life is devoid of hatred. Rather, we are expected to live out the forgiveness and love that Christ has shown us.

The refusal to forgive is the root of all malice. Malice can seep into our souls when we hang onto grudges and carry ill will toward other people. However, we are compelled to forgive because Jesus has forgiven us too. Love has the ability to triumph over even the most severe wounds and crimes. That is what Christ demonstrated on the cross.

How to Overcome Malice

It takes conscious decision-making to provide compassion and kindness to people who have harmed us in order to overcome malice. It entails letting go of the need for payback and choosing to react instead with love and compassion. This is choosing to forgive out of love and believing in God to handle justice rather than denying or justifying wrongdoing.

In the end, using love to triumph against hate is a voyage of faith. It necessitates giving God our complaints and hurts in order to let His love transform and heal our hearts. We become vessels of His love as we live according to His Word, giving hope and light to a world in desperate need of His atonement.

Prayer
Loving God, help me overcome bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and all malice.