MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL

By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida

Topic: MALICE IS VERY SWEET... (POISONOUSLY SWEET)

Memory Verse

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." — Ephesians 4:31–32 (KJV)

THE SWEETEST POISON

There is a popular saying that "revenge is sweet." I disagree. Revenge may be sweet to the flesh, but it is poisonous to the soul.

There are things that look attractive but are dangerous. Too much sugar tastes good but may destroy your health. Alcohol may excite for a few hours but ruin many years. Likewise, malice gives temporary emotional satisfaction but leaves permanent spiritual scars.

Here is something funny.

Some Christians cannot remember where they kept their Bible yesterday, yet they remember who offended them fifteen years ago.

Ask them,
"What was last Sunday's sermon about?"

They will scratch their heads.

But ask,
"Who offended you in 2011?"

Immediately they become walking encyclopedias.

"It happened after the second service. He wore a blue agbada. There were four witnesses. It was raining slightly..."

If remembering offences earned university degrees, some believers would graduate with First Class Honours in Historical Grudges!

Beloved, the devil enjoys this kind of scholarship.

1. MALICE GIVES THE ILLUSION OF VICTORY

One of Satan's greatest lies is making people believe that refusing to forgive is a sign of strength.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The person you refuse to greet may be sleeping comfortably under an air conditioner while you are turning on your bed like roasted corn over hot charcoal because of anger.

Who is really suffering?

Malice is the only prison where the jailer willingly locks himself inside with the prisoner.

The fellow you are avoiding may not even know you are angry.

Meanwhile, you have lost your appetite, your peace, your sleep and perhaps your joy.

You intended to punish another person.

Instead, you sentenced yourself.

2. MALICE GROWS QUIETLY BUT DESTROYS LOUDLY

Nobody suddenly becomes bitter.

Bitterness begins as a tiny seed.

An offence is remembered.

Then repeated.

Then rehearsed.

Then discussed.

Eventually it becomes hatred.

Hatred becomes malice.

Malice finally destroys relationships, families, ministries and destinies.

That is why Paul did not say,

"Control malice."

He said,

"Put it away."

Anything you tolerate today may dominate you tomorrow.

3. WHEN MALICE DESTROYED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE

Cain: Malice Produced the First Murder

Cain was not destroyed by Abel.

He was destroyed by his own resentment.

Instead of correcting his worship, he attacked his brother.

His bitterness produced the first murder in history.

By the time Cain buried Abel, he had already buried his own peace.

He became a fugitive and a restless wanderer.

Many believers have never killed physically.

But they have murdered reputations.

Destroyed friendships.

Scattered churches.

Broken homes.

Character assassination often begins where forgiveness ends.

King Saul: Malice Destroyed a Throne

David never fought Saul for the throne.

Saul fought David because of jealousy.

The women sang,

"Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."

From that day, Saul stopped pursuing the enemies of Israel.

He began pursuing David.

Imagine employing soldiers to chase the very man God sent to help your kingdom!

Saul lost his throne not because David was stronger.

He lost it because bitterness was stronger than his obedience.

Many believers lose divine opportunities because they spend too much time monitoring people they dislike instead of following God.

The Elder Brother: Malice Missed the Celebration

The prodigal son returned home.

The father rejoiced.

The servants celebrated.

Heaven smiled.

Only one man refused to enter the feast.

Why?

Malice.

Bitterness has a strange ability to make someone unhappy over another person's restoration.

Never allow another person's blessing to become your burden.

4. THE THEOLOGY OF FORGIVENESS

Christianity is built upon forgiveness.

Before we ever sought God, He sought us.

Before we loved Him, He loved us.

Before we deserved mercy, He gave us Christ.

The Cross is God's declaration that mercy is greater than revenge.

While hanging on the Cross in unbearable pain, Jesus prayed,

"Father, forgive them..."

If anyone had a legitimate reason to hold malice, it was Jesus.

Yet He chose forgiveness.

To follow Christ is to imitate Christ.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending evil never happened.

It means refusing to become another victim of that evil.

Forgiveness does not cancel justice.

It simply hands justice over to God.

"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19)

5. WHY CHRISTIANS MUST REJECT MALICE

Malice...

- Grieves the Holy Spirit.
- Blocks the flow of genuine prayer.
- Pollutes worship.
- Destroys marriages and friendships.
- Gives Satan an entrance into the heart.
- Replaces joy with anxiety.
- Prevents spiritual maturity.
- Makes believers resemble Cain instead of Christ.

No one can carry the Cross with one hand and carry bitterness with the other.

Sooner or later, one of them must be dropped.

6. THE CURE FOR MALICE

Pray for those who offend you.

Bless those who curse you.

Stop replaying painful memories.

Remember how much Christ has forgiven you.

Leave vengeance to God.

Choose peace over pride.

Remember this:

Forgiveness may not change yesterday, but it will certainly transform tomorrow.

MOMENT OF REFLECTION

- Is there someone whose name still changes your mood?
- Are you feeding your faith or feeding your offence?
- Have you become a museum curator of old hurts?
- Who do you need to forgive before the sun sets today?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I repent of every bitterness, resentment and malice hidden within my heart. Wash me thoroughly by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Heal every wound caused by betrayal, rejection and offence. Give me the grace to forgive those who have wronged me just as You have forgiven me. Let no root of bitterness rob me of my peace, my calling, my joy or my eternal reward. Fill my heart with Your love and make me a true reflection of Christ. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION

I decree in the Name of Jesus Christ that every poisonous root of bitterness is uprooted from your life today. You shall not lose your destiny like Saul. You shall not become a fugitive like Cain. Every emotional wound is healed, every prison of unforgiveness is broken, and every stolen joy is restored. As you choose forgiveness, may the Lord release uncommon peace, divine favour, supernatural restoration and open doors before you. Your heart shall remain pure, your prayers shall be answered, and your testimony shall abound. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Malice is delicious to the flesh but deadly to the spirit. The sweetest revenge is not retaliation—it is becoming more like Christ."

Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
Christ Apostolic Church Ibudo Ònà Abayọ (CAC Solution Center)
Email: cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
Phone: 08058140045