The Thief Named Grudge Series

We often hear the term "holding a grudge". What is a "grudge", what does it look like, and how does one "hold it"?

"Grudge" is an actual word and it’s dictionary meaning is:

a feeling of resentment or ill will over some grievance, or to harbor resentment.

To "hold or carry a grudge" would then mean : holding onto or carrying around a feeling of resentment over some grievance.

This seems to be a very unfortunate and burdensome way to live. The word itself even has a negative sound to it. Say it out loud with me………….Don’t you hear the "Grrrrr...udge" To me that sounds like the beginning of a growl, "grrrr" and the ending "udge" reminds me of something heavy that won’t budge. So this word’s meaning and sound are both negative, and it is not really a word that we should want in our vocabulary.

A ’grudge" is not an actual physical thing that can be picked up, carried or visibly seen. But it is something that is "carried" internally, it is real, it is heavy, and the effects of carrying it internally can be seen outwardly in our actions toward others and ourselves. It can cause great harm to us and others physically and mentally, and though it is not tangible, it can grow and become bigger and in time it could completely rob our lives of certain things.

We are warned against grudging. In several Scripture throughout the Bible but for this morning’s message, God has led me to Ephesians 4: 31-32.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

The Scriptures are speaking of grudges and they are telling us to simply get rid of them and have a forgiving heart of others. This sounds so so easy doesn’t it? Just stop, don’t do it, move on, forget about it. The question is can we, CAN WE REALLY?

We must if we want get rid of our grudges if we are to live productive lives. I do believe all of us want to have a life rich with Jesus don’t we?

Have you ever been robbed? Has someone ever stolen something from you that you worked hard to obtain? If so, I am sure you didn’t sit back and allow someone to rob you but it happened didn’t it

Friends, this is what we are allowing grudges to do with us as well. When we hold onto a grudge we are sitting back and allowing it to rob us.

First of all we allowing it to

I. Rob us of Joy.

A.If you really want to be happy and have joy in life, DON’T hold grudges!

1.When you are holding a grudge, the hate that you are experiencing inside of you and can steal the joy out of your life.

2.It’s pretty hard to be happy when all that is on your mind is the wrong that someone has done to you isn’t it?

Illustration: Last week Stacy and I were blessed with a Gift Card to Red Lobster from Cecil and Linda Todd of Revival Fires Ministries. Did you know they have their special going on right now? “The Endless Shrimp Special” I had to get in on this fantastic deal so I ordered it but soon found out that their Endless Shrimp had pretty much ended.

They start you off with a small portion of shrimp and then once you finish it you tell your waiter to send more out but the time in which it took to receive more shrimp was absurd. It was taking no less than 15 minutes between orders just to receive an extremely small portion of Shrimp.

This bothered me so much that all I could think about even when my shrimp did arrive was how long it took to get it and how upset I was. I couldn’t enjoy my food because I was holding on to a grudge thinking to myself how they really should change the name from endless shrimp to endless wait time to get your endless shrimp.

I allowed the thief named Grudge to rob me of the joy of a blessing from the Cecil and Linda. My entire meal was ruined because I allowed it to be.

3.And you know what, the thief named Grudge not only stole my joy at Red Lobster but I became an accomplice to His thievery.

4.I am sure that my complaining about it affected Stacy’s meal as well and took her joy away.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.