Boys wrestle, it’s what they do. My boys were being boys the other day, when I heard Bryce emphatically say, "Stop Brooks, you're hurting me!" Brooks is 10 and like most boys his age, oblivious to a lot of things; like the fact he is 5 1/2 years older and MUCH, MUCH heavier than his little brother. But when Bryce brought it to his attention, you should have seen the look of terror/regret on his face. Brooks stopped immediately, because actually hurting him was never his intention.
In the family of God, there are many ways in which we can hurt our "brothers." One of the biggest ways is by not showing up. Paul spoke of it like a body missing needed parts. The unseen, unaccountable, unreliable diminish the great overall potential. The church, the body, needs all the parts.
Hurt also comes by the one who just shows up in body. The one who just goes through the motions, the inactive and lifeless pew packer. The person who provides no encouragement, no work and therefore no growth. Christians are intended to be the support system.
Hurt comes from the one who shows up to just take. The mind that is set on the "big 3" - not the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit but me, myself and I. The what's in it for me attitude.
The selfish minded person who just wants to be first. The one who thinks that service is what is due and not what is required.
Hurt comes by the one who shows up just to tear down. The complaining "negative Nancy." The gossip like a middle schooler. The bringer to the table a big ole bucket of strife and discord. The one with "speech seasoned with" heartburn and tongues "full of deadly poison".
Hurt comes by the one whose walk doesn't match the talk. The Pharisee, the hypocrite, the do as I say not as I do. The beam eye guy who says wow look at that speck in your eye. Jesus said that the in and out, the heart and the actions, should all match and be clean.
These attitudes hurt us, but they also hurt our brothers. Maybe it's not our intentions. Maybe it just needs to be brought to our attention, so that the behavior can be stopped. Whatever the case, we are commanded to examine ourselves (James 1:24) to see what kind of "brother" we are. We have to wrestle with many things in this life and the devil has always set out to hurt us. I just hope that you and I are not the bringers of the hurt.
-Seth Bowen
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