Steve Sikes Blog
Steve Sikes Blog
There is someone in my past that told half-truths about me as if they were full-truths, and seemingly went about with the aim to discredit me in front of a large number of people. What was I to do?
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Years ago, when I was 27 something similar happened. I remember going to my Dad in tears asking for his advice. I had never had anything like this happen to me before – someone spreading rumors that were untrue but were being believed by some. My Dad listened patiently and then asked, “Steve, are you praying daily for those who are spreading these rumors? If you don’t, you’ll end up harvesting a bitter root that will negatively affect your relationship with Christ and compromise your effectiveness in ministry.” My Dad went on to say, “Steve, you cannot go around defending yourself. It will never work. People are going to believe what they want to believe. You’ve got to just let it go, keep going forward and forgive.”
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I took Dad’s advice and over the next two years prayed daily (by name) for those who had sought me harm. First I prayed for God to forgive them, and then I prayed again and again for God to allow me to forgive them! Complete forgiveness eventually took place – first in my mind (by decision) and later in my heart (by emotion). Ahhhh – forgiveness is one of God’s greatest gifts; I know because I’m forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15)! God is good. Mr. Steve
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