November 03, 2023

To Read: Philippians 2:1-16

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

We live in a world where we see so many people treating others in such bad ways. We see kids who bully each other. Spouses cheat on each other. Neighbors throw nasty words at each other. Co-workers may try to manipulate, scheme, and destroy anyone in their path to gain a better work position. And look at war. War usually always revolves around the mistreatment of someone or some people. Just think about those "Karen" videos all over the internet. Treating people badly is a common occurrance.

If we are a Christian, we probably know how Jesus stressed for us to love each other, forgive each other, and pray for each other. In other words, Christians should be the ones treating other people in the right ways.

We see in our verse in Philippians how we are to esteem each other better than ourselves.

I think we can sometimes be guilty of the mistreatment of others when we don't even think about it too much. Our actions just become careless. How about gossipping about someone? That can be so hurtful, but it's easy to chime in on gossip. And what about lying to someone? That's a quick way to lose trust that is for sure. And what about being judgemental? That's a painful thing to endure, especially when it's about how you dress, your status in life, or even your personality. Yet, those things happen even where Christians are concerned.

Let's stop and mull over some ways that we can T.R.E.A.T. each other better.

Let's Greet each other with a T.R.E.A.T.

TREAT EACH OTHER IN A Tenderhearted way

Look what it says in Ephesians 4.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Tenderhearted means that you are basically compassionate, caring, and sensitive to others and their needs and circumstances. If more people treated others in that way, what a wonderful world it would be!

TREAT EACH OTHER IN A Respectful way

We all know what being respectful means. There may be a boss or a position that we need to respect. We may need to respect decisions others have made. What about respecting someone's wishes? Those things are important and reflect back to how we treat those people.

The Bible is full of reminders to do this. We are to pay our taxes. Honor any kings. Children are to obey their parents. We are to obey our leaders or those that have rule over us. All of those things are lined up under respect.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)

I also think about things like the paparozzi and even just people in general with phones that don't respect each other's privacy. People record their neighbors and take videos of anyone they want at those people's worst times and upload them to the internet.

If we want to treat each other well, we have to learn to respect each other's space, privacy, values, their way of doing things, and even their time.

TREAT EACH OTHER IN AN Encouraging way

Encouragement is one of those things we just can't live without. We need encouragement from others. It lifts our hearts. It brings us joy. It lightens our load.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

I love that verse. It reminds me that treating others with encouragement can minister grace. Ministering grace is a powerful thing. I want to be part of that. Don't you?

TREAT EACH OTHER IN An Appreciative way

I think about how the Apostle Paul was appreciative of those he worked with in the early churches.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (KJV)

Sometimes it's easy to take other people for granted, so we have to work at it if we want to treat them right.

TREAT EACH OTHER IN A Thoughtful way

Being thoughtful is basically being kind, but when we are thoughtful there is thought behind that kindness. Look what it says in Hebrews.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:24 (KJV)

That verse says to "consider" how we treat people so that in turn they are encouraged to do good works. It's the circle of kindness! I know the word, "calculated" gets a bad reputation, but we have to be a little calculated in how we treat others. We want the consequences of our actions to be that those people we encourage are encouraged to treat others with kindness and love just as we have done. So our kindness needs to have some thought behind it. We want some results with our kindness.

Final Thoughts

When we treat each other in these different ways that I mentioned, we show our love. And doesn't everything we do as Christians all boil down to love and how we treat people?

Look at a few more of those verses in Philippians 2.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:4-5 (KJV)

Jesus is our ultimate example of how to treat people. He loved. He had compassion. He forgave. He respected. He cared for people. Jesus treated each other in amazing ways.

When I think about those treats in life, I think about those things that make me smile. It might be a sweet treat to eat that tastes good. It might even be a few minutes of silence that relaxes me. Someone may pay me a compliment that lifts my spirits when I am down emotionally. Maybe one of my family members brings me a coffee out of the blue. Someone may hold a door open for me when my hands are full. A person may just show a little kindness to me. All those little things are treats that can be a bright light in a dull day.

Treats lift us up and make us feel good. I think everyone could use some more treats in their lives.

So, are you greeting the world with a T.R.E.A.T.?

Copyright ©2023 Julia Bettencourt

Find more of Julia's Devotions here.

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