Anger, pride, vengeance do nothing to build the Kingdom of God
This article is brought to you by Elect Lisa Washington for Howard County Commissioner District 1. It’s early voting time! Primaries are now open through May 5. GO VOTE!
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As a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, it matters deeply to me how I interact with people. Every conversation, every response, every moment is an opportunity to reflect Him. I want to carry myself as a man who wins hearts for Jesus, not through force, not through argument, but through love, grace, and truth lived out daily.
Now, I am a fallible human being. My past reminds me of that, and even in the present day, I don’t always take the right approach. There are moments where I respond too quickly, feel too strongly, or allow frustration to rise. But I can honestly say my heart is in the right place. I desire to honor God in how I treat others, even when I fall short.
There are times in my life when I may feel completely justified in being upset or even wronged. In those moments, the Spirit of God within me gives me no other choice but to pause and choose kindness, patience, and understanding. Why? Because I know the alternatives. Anger produces division. Pride creates distance. Trying to get a “one up” or prove someone wrong might satisfy the flesh for a moment, but it does nothing to build the Kingdom of God.
So, I ask myself this question often: what good comes from anger? What do I truly gain from trying to win an argument but lose a soul? If my goal is to reflect Christ, then my focus must shift from being right to being righteous in my response.
As believers, we should ask daily: how can I win someone’s heart today?
The answer is found in living out the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These carry far more value in connecting with people than any clever words or strong opinions ever could.
So, today, make a conscious effort. Choose love over pride. Choose patience over frustration. Seek to win someone, not to yourself, but to Christ, to the glory of God the Father.