I am a firm believer in the germ theory, which hypothesizes that some diseases are caused by microorganisms that, although are way too small to be seen with the naked eye, invade the body and cause big problems. Of course, while this theory was once highly controversial, it’s accepted as absolute fact now because of indisputable scientific proof backing it. We’ve all become well versed in germ names like Ebola, Influenza, and Streptococcal. These germs and others get into a body, multiply to the point they cause a disease, and then hope to get passed on to somebody new. That’s why it’s so important for us to keep our hands washed and be careful whom we are around. Otherwise, the disease-causing germs might spread until there’s an epidemic.
Maybe you’ve never thought about it this way, but there are some spiritual germs we should be wary of as well. There are too many to list, but some of the most pernicious are grumbling, negativity, and resentment. These three are nasty little attitudes that get into our spirit and wreak havoc. They will multiply in a person until the person becomes spiritually diseased, and then they become very contagious. When it spills over in a family or in a church, it can make life absolutely miserable for everybody. Of course, the devil loves it, but it grieves the Spirit.
Are you infected with grumbling, negativity, or resentment? Maybe these questions will help you decide. Are you quick to point out a grievance or complain about a shortfall? Do you look at others with a critical eye, ignoring the good things they are doing and focus on their weaknesses? Are you often found in a gripe session with others about how things are going? Do you tend to paint things in the worst-case scenario? Do you resent having to do the things you do—even the things you voluntarily do—and feel like nobody notices or cares?
I could go on and on, but that should be enough to begin to help you diagnose the presence of grumbling, negativity, or resentment in your life. If you think you are infected, get on your knees as quickly as possible in repentance and prayer to God. Ask the Lord to help you put off the sins of grumbling, negativity, and resentment and put on the right attitudes of optimism, hope, and joy. Make war through spiritual means against these spiritual germs so that you will become known for optimism, hope, and joy. The good news is that just like their harmful counterparts, optimism, hope, and joy are contagious too. May you help start of an epidemic that builds up and encourages the body!
~Ben Simpson : @JBenSimpson : JBenSimpson.com : Eastwood Baptist Church
Ben
Thank you for the post It is very uplifting. When things of the world start to weigh us down it is “easy” to dwell on those problems and not celebrate all the good things God has done/is doing in our lives.
It is early Saturday morning where I am, and, I am still drinking coffee. What great way to start the day.
Nlessings, my brother.
Ben
I just noticed “Eastwood Baptist Church”. Where? Just curious.
I have noticed how contagious negativity is, and how quickly it spreads — even in the case of positive people who are trying to be helpful to negativistic folks.
Ben, D.L. mentioned your church, and I notice you are in Bowling Green. Been there once (twice if I count only stopping at a fast food joint the other time). A friend and I visited Old Union Baptist Church (kind of out of town on the south side, IIRC). It is not SBC, but one of the oldest churches in the area, I think. Someone I knew at the time was pastor there way back when (in the 1980s). We also visited a revival at another church, but I don’t remember which or where or what name. Seems it may have been connected to the cemetery where J.M. Pendleton is buried, but I may have that memory wrong as well. Anyway, we enjoyed the visit in your city.
Interesting fact: Dr. J.M. Pendleton who believed in Sovereign Grace preached the funeral of Elder Reuben Ross who had been won to Christ by a minister in the old Kehukee Baptist Association (it became Primitive Baptist in the split over missions) who believed in Sovereign Grace. However, Elder Ross continued to be what some called an Arminian and others, today, call a Traditionalist. Both sides had their detractors, their murmurers. The confusion produced by murmurers hinders people from hearing the full truth. Instead they get a half truth, a part of the truth which can prove decisively self-defeating as outright error. Leaving men free on this particular issue allows for them to examine the evidence and arrive at a conclusion which recognizes both poles of a single truth or a truth that encompasses a rule and its exceptions. One will find among Primitive Baptists those who were missionary minded and had Sunday Schools (or Bible Study as some might call it which is what it is), and Missionary Baptists had as much Sovereign Grace as did the Primitives, interestingly enough. I should mention that one of the strongest sources of that Sovereign Grace viewpoint came from the Father of Missions among all Baptists, the Rev. Luther Rice, who actually set forth his views in the Memoirs prepared and printed by a Taylor in Virginia circa 1840. If we had not had so many murmurers back in the days of the split, we might never have had the split. The same goes for many other altercations in Baptist life. Contentious individuals aggravate the dissatisfied and further conflict which escalates to the point divisive clashes. There is a disagreement and an argument which allows for people to remain together and to work together. God grant us the grace to work through our differences, determine our parameters, and dedicate ourselves to task of advancing Christ’ Kingdom on earth. Mediation is a point we need to study, along with reconciliation. I must admit to being moved to tears by the Reconciliation Commission Meetings of South Africa where people got up and confessed their failures in the racial conflict and begged forgiveness – no easy task when some one has murdered a loved one, but that is the first time in History where a national government back a Christian teaching and practice which proved to some degree to be helpful to the cause of peace.
There are still several iterations of the old Kehukee Association, most of which are Primitive, but one of which is Universalist (not as in general provision) in their theology.
Interesting that you mention the missions controversy in the early 1800s. You are correct. A lot of people miss the fact that this was not, for the most part, a controversy about soteriology, Calvinism, and so forth. One of the best examples of this is found in Daniel Parker’s Public Address to the Baptist Society. Though he was apparently a strong predestinarian, the arguments he makes against the missionary society are ecclesiological rather than soteriological.
A very “healthy” reminder Ben.
“Call a man ungrateful and you can call him no worse” (M Henry?)
Thanks.
I was hoping this would be a screed against a designated hand shaking (i.e. germ-sharing) time during the worship service!
The key to a healthy fellowship of believers in Christ is primarily trust in Christ and secondarily trust in each other. The biggest trust killers are such as grumbling, negativity, and resentment. It’s always wise to first ask whether what you are about to say will build someone up or tear them down. Instead of saying, “This person cannot be trusted so let’s marginalize or even put this person out!” say, “This person is a weak brother or sister in Christ. How can we best help them be better?” The ability to do so relies on our understanding of how weak we really are in the faith and hoping that we would be treated likewise when we demonstrate that weakness.