How To Do Right When You’ve Been Wronged
Open: The title of my message this morning is:
“HOW TO DO RIGHT, WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WRONGED”
It happens to all of us at one time or another. We know we didn’t do anything wrong, we were innocent in the situation. We didn’t provoke or incite, but someone did us wrong. Now albeit, there are plenty of times we deserve what we got. We were out of line, we were out of control, and we were out of order. But other times we’re blindsided by the actions of another against us. The lie, the hatred, the anger, the hurt. – it all seems so unfair. We know we didn’t deserve it, but it came nonetheless; maybe not just once but many times, even from many directions.
By the actions of others our whole world can change; from the fiery lashes of the gossips tongue, to the unkind, (not to mention) untrue word of a family member. We are wronged by things ranging from being overlooked for the job or position, to being wrongfully judged by the critical eye.
So the question is this “How Can I Do Right When I’ve Been Wronged?”
And more specifically, what does the Bible say about doing right when I’ve been wronged?
Let me give you five practical tips on “How to Do Right When You’ve Been Wronged”
# 1 – Understand You Don’t Have To Do Something Wrong To BE Wronged.
• Sometimes we say to ourselves, “Well maybe I deserved that. Maybe I was the cause. I guess I’m just getting what I deserve.
• This can be the case, but many times it is not.
• The Bible is full of examples of people who did nothing wrong, yet were wronged themselves:
• Job – it wasn’t because he did something wrong, it was because he did most things right. He was a righteous man
• Joseph, again, he didn’t do anything that should cause someone to try to harm him…but they did.
• Jesus, of course he is the greatest example of all.
• We need to do what’s right when we’ve been wronged
# 2 – Consider the source.
• Satan, now I don’t believe Satan is behind every situation that happens. I believe sometimes we give him too much credit. But understand, the Bible says…(John 10:10 NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
• Stupid People - Now I’m sorry for being so blunt, but it’s the truth. There are just some stupid people in the world who love to cause trouble, stir up problems and basically give you and me a bad time. But watch this; don’t think they are just stupid toward you. They cause trouble wherever they go. They cause trouble at the school, they gripe and complain at restaurants, they get mad when they don’t get their way; they always have a complaint, gripe or sarcastic remark about everything. And besides all that many of them are just plain weird!
• So consider the source.
• We need to do what’s right when we’ve been wronged
# 3 – Watch What You Say.
• When someone has wrongs you, the immediate knee – jerk reaction is to want to tell them off, let ‘em have it, give ‘em a piece of your mind ( I’ve been tempted to give people a piece of MY mind, but Kim told me I didn’t have much to give away)
• Again, learn from examples in the Bible.
• The Bible says Jesus didn’t open his mouth before his accusers
• (Acts 8:32 NIV) "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
• Jesus knew he was right. He knew they were wrong, but he didn’t have to try and prove it. He knew that in the end, he would win out
• Sometimes it’s better just to keep your mouth shut and not say a word. It’s hard to do, but sometimes it’s what God requires!
• If you’ve been wronged, or hurt. Maybe you’ve lost credibility or your position or your good standing with others, hold on, and don’t say anything. Let your integrity win out. In the end God will take care of you. He’ll show your accusers. He’ll right the wrong. He’ll silence the critics AND IN THE END YOU’RE GOING TO WIN. But it won’t be with words. It will be with your actions and with God’s mighty power.
• We need to do what’s right when we’ve been wronged
# 4 – Let God Fight Your Battles
• (Rom 12:19 KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
• Understand God can do a much better job of taking care of situations than you or I can!
• Most of us believe that, we just want to help God out. We want to be His hands extended!
• Two verses earlier in this same passage God says in Rom 12:17 & 18
• Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
• “You know why?” God says. “Because I am going to pay back the wrong that was done. It might be out of your sight, it will probably be out of your short time frame, but I will make things right!”
• We need to do what’s right when we’ve been wronged
# 5 - Forgive Before You Are Asked!
• It’s the hardest thing you’ll do, but it’s the best thing for you!
• Notice I said it’s the best thing for YOU!
• Most people think forgiveness is what’s done for the person who hurt us, but it isn’t. When we forgive someone, it is to set US free from the pain and hurt. WE let it go! WE choose not to let it eat at us! WE choose to no longer be bound by the pain.
• The person may never ask forgiveness. First, they might not even realize they hurt us. Secondly, even if they know, many won’t care! But when you forgive you refuse to let that person who wronged you from controlling you any longer!
• Jesus, hanging upon the cross said, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NIV)
• Some people don’t know what they’re doing. Others know but don’t care, either way; we need to do what’s right when we’ve been wronged!
Close: I want to close this morning by reading an excerpt of a very recent article. In fact, it just came out this week in Charisma Magazine. It’s a story about a well –known pastor and Gospel singer, Donnie McClurkin. He talks about how he has been wronged in his life. (read excerpt from Charisma Magazine)
