On Biting And Devouring One Another
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe fact of one snake eating another snake is well known in the zoological world. Reptiles will sometimes grab different ends of the same piece of food. Sooner or later their struggle for that last bite brings them nose to nose.
Then the surprise comes — the snake with the widest bite will keep right on going and actually swallow the other snake!
Christians have been known to “consume one another” too. We may say something unkind to a fellow Christian, who then becomes defensive, and an argument develops. We know we would be better off if we held our tongue and trusted the Lord for the outcome, but we just keep going.
It’s easy to assume that Christians are too mature to let things go too far. But the apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:15 that even among Christians — words and emotions can get out of hand. When this happens, feelings are hurt, friendships are destroyed, the church becomes divided, and the body of Christ suffers.
It is crucial that we ask the Lord daily to help us to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV). Only as we pattern our lives after our Lord’s example of loving forgiveness, will we replace the biting and devouring impulses of a sharp tongue and a bitter spirit.
It’s only a word! But a word may harm
And open a wound with its lingering smart;
And a word may heal or a word may charm
If it comes direct from a loving heart. —Anonymous