2 Kings 4:38-41-And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.”
So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were.
Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.
So he said, “Then bring some flour.” And he put it into the pot, and said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
What we add to people’s life can be helpful or hurtful!
When we influence peoples life is it a good influence (Is what we contribute to their life going to make their life better in the long run?) or is it a bad influence (Is what we contribute to their life going to have lasting effects that are harmful to their life?).
How we act or react to situations before, our spouse, our children and our grandchildren.
How we conduct ourselves at work, at home.
Does what we believe transfer to how we act?
Do we practice what we preach?
The truth is some of what we are is because of the influence of other people in our lives (Past Or Present).
They have instilled certain things in our life and even when we don’t realize it, and those times we do (Oh, My I Just Sounded Like My Mother, Or My Dad!) (I Thought I Would Never Say That To My Child!).
You and I have influence on the people in our life and because of the love they have for us, that will linger long after we have left this world!
So we need to be careful what we add to peoples life!
There Is Death In The Pot-Our words can kill-(They Have A Sharp Tongue! They Can Cut You Like A Knife!)
You can kill someone’s enthusiasm or joy, with you words, with your actions!
Responses-(What If It Don’t Work Out?)
You can kill someone’s hopes and dreams, with your words, or with your reactions!
Responses-(That’s stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of!)
You can kill someone’s gift or talent, with your words, or your actions.
Responses-(Maybe You Should Learn Something Else, Just In Case Your Not Good Enough!) or (Not Encouraging Them To Practice Or Not Being Attentive When They Are Participating In Their Gift….Sports, Music, Academies.)
Have You Ever Had Someone Kill Your dreams, dash your hopes, squash your joy, not encourage your talent?
Then you know how it feels and how long it takes to get over that!
Then Bring Some Flour-John 6:35-And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
ADDING JESUS TO THE MIX:
How people and us get over those things, that have been said to us or done to us that are hurtful, or harmful or have kill something inside of us, is that we need to add Jesus to the pot, to those memories, to those words that sting, to those hurtful feelings and let Him cure, what ails us!
That is also what we need to do in our own life to make sure that we are being the right influence, putting into peoples life something that will benefit their life forever.
If we have been the ones who have done things or said things to people that are hurtful or harmful that we would do what verse 42 says, Serve it to the people, that they may eat.”
That we would offer them Jesus, who can take away the words, the actions and the hurt that we have done, and He can restore and nourish the relationship we have with them!
