Overview:
When our relationships are harmonious and helpful … we can easily deal with occasional hardships. But in reality, sometimes our closest friendships deliver disappointment and pain. What happens, for instance, when we’re betrayed by a friend? Or how do we respond when a son or daughter violates our trust? Or maybe a business partner who steals from us? Today on INSIGHT FOR LIVING, Chuck Swindoll addresses the inevitable moments in life when we’re offended. His application comes from the fifth chapter of James. Chuck titled today’s message DOING RIGHT WHEN YOU’VE BEEN DONE WRONG.
Message Summary:
In this practical message from the “Hands-On Christianity” series, Chuck Swindoll addresses one of the deepest hurts we endure: being misunderstood, misjudged, or falsely accused. While the natural human instinct—praised by philosophers like Nietzsche and Bacon—is to seek revenge or hold a grudge, Swindoll argues that God calls believers to a supernatural response.
Turning to James 5:7–12, Swindoll outlines a four-step strategy for handling injustice without retaliating. First, we must be patient, adopting the “long-tempered” mindset of a farmer who waits for the rain, understanding that we cannot hurry God’s harvest. Second, we must strengthen our hearts, propping ourselves up on the Lord rather than sinking into self-pity. Third, we are commanded not to complain or groan against others, looking instead to the prophets as examples of endurance. Finally, we are told not to swear, which Swindoll interprets as avoiding the temptation to appear super-spiritual or make a “brag-mony” out of our suffering; we should simply let our “yes be yes”.
Swindoll introduces the “50/20 Principle” (based on Genesis 50:20), urging listeners to view their enemies not as obstacles, but as tools God uses to shape their character. The message concludes with a reminder that insight into suffering rarely comes during the crisis but usually appears at the outcome, requiring us to trust God’s timing and His eventual “late rains”.
Message Key Facts:
- The Natural vs. Supernatural Response: Swindoll notes that reacting with revenge is natural, but Peter (1 Peter 2:19–20) teaches that bearing up under unjust suffering finds “favor” with God. Swindoll defines this “favor” as God’s pleasure in an action that is “beyond the ordinary human response”.
- Definition of Patience: The Greek term used in James 5:7 is a combination of words meaning “long” and “heat” (or anger). It literally means to be “long-tempered” or to have a long fuse, rather than blowing up like a volcano.
- The 50/20 Principle: Derived from Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 (“You meant it unto me for evil, but God meant it unto me for good”), this principle helps believers view unjust people as tools in God’s hands to shape their character.
- The Farmer Illustration: James uses the farmer to illustrate that growth cannot be rushed. Just as a farmer cannot force the “early and late rains,” believers must wait for God’s timing. Swindoll warns that trying to rush God’s plan is like ripping open a cocoon—it often destroys the life inside.
- The Parking Lot Incident: Swindoll shares a personal story of accidentally bumping a parked car. Even though there was no damage, the other driver furiously smashed Swindoll’s fender in retaliation. Swindoll uses this to illustrate the difficulty—and the reward—of walking away and choosing patience over violence.
- “Do Not Swear” (James 5:12): Swindoll interprets this difficult verse not merely as a ban on profanity, but as a warning against trying to sound “super spiritual” or invoking God to validate oneself during suffering. He advises believers to be simple and quiet (“let your yes be yes”) because insight usually comes at the end of the trial, not the middle.
- Alimony in Nickels: To illustrate how creative the flesh is at holding grudges (James 5:9), Swindoll tells the story of a man who paid his ex-wife’s alimony entirely in nickels—160 pounds of them—just to spite her.
Message References:
- James 5:7–12: The primary text outlining the four commands: be patient, strengthen your hearts, do not complain, and do not swear.
- 1 Peter 2:18–20: Peter’s instruction to servants to be submissive even to unreasonable masters, noting that enduring unjust suffering finds favor with God.
- Genesis 50:20: The foundation of the “50/20 Principle,” where Joseph forgives his brothers by acknowledging God’s sovereign purpose in their evil actions.
- 2 Samuel 16:5–14: The story of Shimei cursing David. Instead of letting his men kill Shimei, David exhibits patience, trusting that God might be using the man for a purpose.
- Psalm 55:22: A promise to cast burdens upon the Lord, who will sustain the righteous.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4: The definition of love as “patient” (suffering long), linking the fruit of the Spirit to the command in James.
