Encouraging Words of Today - What Kind of Example Are You? (5)

Be an example...in spirit. 1 Timothy 4:12
In Bible times, Jews looked down on non-Jews. They actually referred to them as 'dogs.' So when Christ's disciples went in to a Samaritan village to find accommodation for the night, they were turned away.
 How did the disciples handle this? With understanding? Not a chance! 'They said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what...spirit you are of' ' (Luke 9:54-55 NKJV). Check your spirit! You can be totally unaware of your attitude toward others. You can even use Scripture to justify yourself. The disciples thought that because Elijah called down fire on his enemies at Mount Carmel, they should be able to zap these poor Samaritans. Amazing! Christ had just got through telling them: 'Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven...' (Luke 6:22-23 NKJV). Only as you read the Scriptures and pray, can God shine the spotlight on your hidden biases and help you correct them. Often the look on your face has more impact than the words you speak. You can be arrogant and think you're being assertive. You can be insensitive and think you're a truth-teller. You can be purpose-driven and convince people that their only value to you is in what they contribute. When it comes to your 'spirit,' you need a regular check-up.