Don't Keep This Kind of List

List-keeping is a method I use to stay organized. But not all lists are healthy.

For example: lists that record other people's sins, bitter memories, or past offenses.

Some people keep lists of offenses dating back several decades. Others keep petty lists of offenses they could easily overlook. 

Recently, the Lord lovingly convicted me of such a list. 

I realized that whenever a certain person came to mind, I began to review my list. I was becoming a very “organized” bitter person, allowing a bitter root to grow in my heart.

I’ve repented of that list and started a new list—a list of Scriptures to recite whenever that person comes to mind. 

The first thing on that list:

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

Do you have any bitter lists? Ask God to help you toss them out today and start a new list containing some of the Scriptures below.

Some offenses need to be overlooked and forgiven:

Proverbs 19:11: “A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.” 

If you are constantly finding fault with another person, perhaps the problem is yours, not theirs. It will help if you start concentrating on the good qualities possessed by that person and making sure you don't have a log in your eye:

Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

Matthew 7:1-5: “...Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

Some offenses need to be reconciled:

Matthew 18:15: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”

All offenses need to be genuinely forgiven:

Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

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