Lenten Season Week 5: The Element of Connectivity: Infliction by Min. James Porter

Infliction

 

The Dictionary says Infliction Is the act of inflicting something unpleasant or painful on someone or something.

 

Ephesians 4:31-32 says: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 

There are two ways of infliction.  One, we inflict ourselves with Guilt and Jealousy, but Two we inflict others. 

 

When infliction occurs in the church it causes people to second guess Leadership, people leave the church, or it causes people to be pew warmers, not active members. 

 

Ephesians chapter 4 is about the Unity in the church and that we are one body in Christ.

 

Paul is saying to the church of Ephesus, that our sin causes the Holy Spirit sorrow for the way we live.

 

Paul warns us against bad language, meanness of any kind, improper use of anger, harsh words, and bad attitude towards others. 

 

Here’s the connection, since we are one church body together, we should be kind to one another and forgiving of one another.  For God in Christ forgave you.

 

Act in love toward your Brothers and Sisters in Christ, just as God acted in love by sending his Son to die for your Sins.  

 

Look, it doesn’t say for you not to be angry because we are human, but don’t use that anger towards others.  In other words, be angry but Sin Not.

 

I leave you with this:

 

Nonmaleficence (do no harm) Obligation not to inflict harm intentionally; in medical ethics, the physician's guiding maxim is “First, do no harm.” Beneficence (do good) Provide benefits to persons and contribute to their welfare. Refers to an action done for the benefit of others.

 

If Doctors can have an Oath not to do bodily harm, then Christians should also do no harm.  Before you do, say, or act, think about not doing harm and what would Jesus DO.