the moulding ....

Ephesians 4:30-32
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

here's a story...
a young man who was having a significant ministry in a small English village many years ago. people were coming from miles around to hear him teach the Scriptures. in his midtwenties, he had a voracious appetite for not only teaching the Scriptures but knowing them as well. He was making an impact in the village and the surrounding area. Until the charges were made.

a young woman came forward and claimed that he had tried to force himself upon her sexually. the word spread like wildfire across the country-side. he was finished. the sentiments of the people were with the young girl. his reputation was in shambles. And it was all a lie. it simply never happened.

the young man struggled deeply with the betrayal of the young woman whom he had legitimately tried to help. but she had turned on him and was in the process of ruining his ministry for life. he thought he would never recover. how could he ever minister again anywhere with such charges against him?

bitterness just about overwhelmed him. the betrayal was too much. he couldn't bear it and he couldn't undo it. but with God's help, he refused to allow that bitterness to take root in his heart. God enabled him to conquer the bitterness just as Joseph(in the Bible) had conquered it. the falsely accused young man thought he would never again be used by God.

but there are millions of people who can vouch for that fact that Oswald Chambers was greatly used of God before it was all over. to this day his book, My Utmost for His Highest, tops the Christian bestseller list.

of course its not about the top Christian bestseller list. from the book, 'Finishing Strong' by Steve Farrar, this topic was about bitterness. if anyone has a valid reason for being bitter, one would be Joseph (in Genesis) and another, Jesus (our Lord). they experience betrayal straight to their hearts and look at their reactions...