Despise Your Brother or God?
1. I Thessalonians 4:4-8 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Because you despise God, you despise your brother. Whether lost or saved, the despising of God is first. Since we are made in God's image, why would we want to be in rebellion against God? If we didn't despise God, we would treat each other well.
2. Despise means: to do away with, to set aside, disregard; to thwart the efficacy of anything, nullify, make void, frustrate; to reject, to refuse, to slight
* Slight: neglect; disregard; a moderate degree of contempt manifested negatively by neglect
* Contempt: the act of despising; attitude of utter disgust or hatred: a powerful feeling of dislike toward somebody or something considered
to be worthless, inferior, or undeserving of respect.
Luke 10:16 Jesus said, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."
John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Our fight is ultimately with God.
NOTE: Matthew 25:34-40 .....And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
3. We despise others who are a different race than us; not as much money; not as talented or educated; not as socially skilled.
Examples of despising your brother:
a. not helping your brother: their car is broke down and you don't help within your means- ride,fixing the car, going to parts store, etc.
b. justify/rationalize away your brother's need. Thinking you are doing their own good by not helping them because you are letting them
learn-it builds character.
c. make money or gain off your brother- usery, looking out for your own interest instead of your brother's for a monetary gain: keeping
the mineral rights to property; selling something at an unfair price or in disrepair;
d. working for your brother and he doesn't pay you a fair wage.
e. trying to keep your brother from prospering- spiritually, physically, or emotionally. Neglect to encourage their walk with the Lord by
not being able to answer spiritual questions, being absent from church (edification of the saints).
4. 2 Samuel 6:12-23 Michal despises David
2 Samuel 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. Michal was a king's daughter and a king's
wife- she is displaying a pompous, snooty attitude. God made her barren until she passed away. He will avenge himself and His own.
5. Why do we despise our brother? sin; selfishness; hard heartedness; not thinking on the things of others; instability of one's standing or place in life-jealousy; Demonic forces who try and pit each other- be vigilant know when the enemy is instigating;But ultimately we despise out of FEAR.
Fear of losing the control over our lives by submitting to God. Fear of love- loving Him and loving others.
6. How can we resist and avoid despising?
Love God and love others! 1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
A. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your
own conceits.
B. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
C. Rely on the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit. (Because the Holy Spirit is in you, you have the
ability to overtake the old man to not despise your brother.)
Because you despise God, you despise your brother. Whether lost or saved, the despising of God is first. Since we are made in God's image, why would we want to be in rebellion against God? If we didn't despise God, we would treat each other well.
2. Despise means: to do away with, to set aside, disregard; to thwart the efficacy of anything, nullify, make void, frustrate; to reject, to refuse, to slight
* Slight: neglect; disregard; a moderate degree of contempt manifested negatively by neglect
* Contempt: the act of despising; attitude of utter disgust or hatred: a powerful feeling of dislike toward somebody or something considered
to be worthless, inferior, or undeserving of respect.
Luke 10:16 Jesus said, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."
John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Our fight is ultimately with God.
NOTE: Matthew 25:34-40 .....And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
3. We despise others who are a different race than us; not as much money; not as talented or educated; not as socially skilled.
Examples of despising your brother:
a. not helping your brother: their car is broke down and you don't help within your means- ride,fixing the car, going to parts store, etc.
b. justify/rationalize away your brother's need. Thinking you are doing their own good by not helping them because you are letting them
learn-it builds character.
c. make money or gain off your brother- usery, looking out for your own interest instead of your brother's for a monetary gain: keeping
the mineral rights to property; selling something at an unfair price or in disrepair;
d. working for your brother and he doesn't pay you a fair wage.
e. trying to keep your brother from prospering- spiritually, physically, or emotionally. Neglect to encourage their walk with the Lord by
not being able to answer spiritual questions, being absent from church (edification of the saints).
4. 2 Samuel 6:12-23 Michal despises David
2 Samuel 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. Michal was a king's daughter and a king's
wife- she is displaying a pompous, snooty attitude. God made her barren until she passed away. He will avenge himself and His own.
5. Why do we despise our brother? sin; selfishness; hard heartedness; not thinking on the things of others; instability of one's standing or place in life-jealousy; Demonic forces who try and pit each other- be vigilant know when the enemy is instigating;But ultimately we despise out of FEAR.
Fear of losing the control over our lives by submitting to God. Fear of love- loving Him and loving others.
6. How can we resist and avoid despising?
Love God and love others! 1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
A. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your
own conceits.
B. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
C. Rely on the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit. (Because the Holy Spirit is in you, you have the
ability to overtake the old man to not despise your brother.)