“You Brood of Vipers!”

What is the worst name or put down you’ve ever been called? I doubt that many, if any, of you have been called a viper, as John the Baptist called the group that came to see him as he was baptizing people in Matthew 3.  One word to describe John, at this point in his life, was BOLD.  Sure, there were people around that the Pharisees and Sadducees wouldn’t have “hurt” him, but what about later…John would have been alone sometime in the future.

When we are in error being put in our place is not pleasant, but hopefully we will take the opportunity to learn from it.  I think that is what was going on in David’s life as Nathan tried to help him out when he told him the illustration about the sheep being stolen in II Samuel 12.

Yesterday, we focused on the phrase “You brood of vipers” that was found in the text.  Here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

1. Look in Before Looking Out ~ All of us have flaws, so take a good look at your flaws before dismissing someone because of their flaws. Whether you are attempting to distribute general kindness or share Jesus with them.  Also, don’t become caught up in an “outnumbering” contest…in other words, you consider yourself to have “X” amount of flaws, but they have more, in your opinion, so it is OK to judge.
2. Calm Down Before Clamming Up ~ Being told what you’re being like is not pleasant.  In fact, it can cause us to clam up, so as to not even really “hear” what someone is trying to get us to understand.  If you are confronted with something you don’t find too kind, calm down, examine what what said, why it was said, and see if it was there to help you.
3. Be Progressive ~ I’ve never been water skiing, but watching it I use this illustration. The water skier is fine as long as he’s moving.  Once he stops, he sinks.  The same can be said of your faith.  As long as you’re growing, you’re moving.  As soon as you stop, you sink.  That doesn’t mean that you have to be changing, just continually doing something to strengthen and/or grow your faith.

It can be easy to just pass off someone saying something negatively to you.  Especially, if you’ve been picked on a lot in your life.  However, there are times when someone who cares about you may say something to you because they care and want you to be better, not to crush your feelings.

Whenever I receive criticism, I have to hear it, take it in, mull it over, self-examine, and see what I can do to best make that change I am asked to make.  I generally do not simply bounce back and say “OK” with an ear-to-ear grin on my face.  How do you generally respond?

Whether you are a part of a “brood of vipers” or some other way to describe it, may you use criticism to improve, when you can.