In a conversation regarding the Golden Rule, a person told me their rule, “I treat people the way they treat me…I match people’s energy.”
Yikes and ouch.
God has a strong opinion on how we are to treat others, even when…especially when, our energy doesn’t match.
The Golden Rule comes from the Bible and states, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 NLT
These words, from Jesus while preaching a plethora of lessons from what we call The Sermon on the Mount, have been with Him since around 1450 BC. You may say, “But, Stephanie, Jesus wasn’t around BC (Before Christ)”, oh but friend…remember Jesus is part of the Trinity and has been around since before the earth was formed. In Genesis 1:26 it says, “Then God said, ‘Let US make mankind in OUR image’…” (emphasis mine). He was hinting towards the Trinity which consists of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In Leviticus 19:18 ERV we read, Forget about the wrong things people do to you. Don’t try to get even. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. (Written around 1450 BC)
While reading and researching about Matthew 7:12, I came across some other scripture I want you to read and marinate on the words from God’s breath:
Do for others what you want them to do for you. Luke 6:31
OH, wait, let’s back it up a couple of verses and fast forward a few for more details on how to treat others:
“But I say to you people who are listening to me, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Ask God to bless the people who ask for bad things to happen to you. Pray for the people who are mean to you. If someone hits you on the side of your face, let them hit the other side too. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop them from taking your shirt too. Give to everyone who asks you for something. When someone takes something that is yours, don’t ask for it back. “If you love only those who love you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners love those who love them! If you do good only to those who do good to you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners do that! If you lend things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get any special praise for that? No, even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount! “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy. Luke 6:27-30,32-36
Did you get that? Seriously, go back and reread that before moving on to more here:
You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. The law says, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.” All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. I say this because you know that we live in an important time. Yes, it is now time for you to wake up from your sleep. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost finished. The day is almost here. So we should stop doing whatever belongs to darkness. We should prepare ourselves to fight evil with the weapons that belong to the light. We should live in a right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or be drunk. We should not be involved in sexual sin or any kind of immoral behavior. We should not cause arguments and trouble or be jealous. But be like the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when people see what you do, they will see Christ. Don’t think about how to satisfy the desires of your sinful self. Romans 13:8-14
Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just sharing what the Lord says. I truly believe and conquer that HE KNOWS BEST.
Here’s one more set of scripture I want to share with you:
My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love. The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” If you continue hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other. Galatians 5:13-15
When you are a child of God, you are free and you are loved. Can I get a hallelujah? Can I get an amen? Just as God chose you, you have a choice to make. Will you choose to live to satisfy the desires of your sinful self, or will you choose to be like the Lord Jesus Christ?
Dr. Tony Evans, in his bible commentary, writes, “Do for the people around you what you want God to do for you, and watch how He delivers.” Dear one, God will deliver. He will deliver blessings upon you. Some may be evident now, but definitely in eternity. Do what you want God to do for you. Powerful!
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. Matthew 7:12 MSG
I like how the Message translation says to “grab the initiative and do it for them”. That is using your mind. An intended action. Our mind is powerful at playing games, good and bad, so use it for the good.
Here’s a link to a deeper explanation of the Golden Rule: https://www.gotquestions.org/Golden-Rule.html
It is my prayer that you will not match people’s energy, but go beyond and do the right thing. As a Christian, you are to rise above and treat people the way you want God to treat you. Rise above, my friend, rise above.
I know that these verses are good daily reminders for me. How about you?
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
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Featured photo: Our family loves the beach, boating, and catching tarpon. This tarpon was about 125 pounds. No, we don’t eat the tarpon. it is a fun fight and fish to catch and release. Yes, my arms were sore for a couple of days. LOL.