As Much As Lies Within You (From our 12-14-25 Worship)

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/KcIe-5yt19c

Episode Summary

President Harry Truman’s mother-in-law, Madge Wallace, famously despised him. Despite her hostility, Truman treated her with kindness and respect until the day she died. How do we maintain that level of character when dealing with people who make our lives miserable?

In this episode, we dig into Psalm 120 and Romans 12 to find the biblical blueprint for dealing with conflict. We discuss the importance of leaving vengeance to God, understanding the root of our anger, and refusing to let the bad behavior of others lower our spiritual standards.

Key Takeaways

• Remember God’s Track Record (Psalm 120:1): Before panicking about a current conflict, remember that God has answered you in distress before. Your situation might be hard, but it is not new to God.
• Name the Problem (Psalm 120:2): You have to identify the deceit or the issue clearly. Sometimes, doing the emotional legwork to find the root cause reveals if the problem is truly them, or if it is actually within us.
• Leave the Vengeance to God (Psalm 120:3-4): It is natural to want justice, but we are not equipped to mete it out correctly. Like adding salt to mashed potatoes, only God knows the exact, perfect amount of judgment required.
• Accept the World is Broken (Psalm 120:5-6): We often ask, "Why me?" sometimes the only answer is that we live in a fallen world. This world is not meant to be a comfortable commune; it is a refining fire meant to prepare us for the next life.
• Don’t Lower Your Standards (Psalm 120:7): When the world speaks war, you must speak peace. This isn’t about being a pushover; it is about not letting evil overcome you. If you return hate for hate, the world has successfully controlled you.

Scripture References (ESV)

• Romans 12:9-21: "Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
• Psalm 120: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue."
• Romans 8:29: "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..."