EPHESIANS 6:9

“And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

Have you ever threatened anyone or been threatened by someone? Threats are not to be taken lightly. I had to cancel a trip out of the country within the past year due to threats of harm. There are people who will kidnap, harm or even kill you just because you are a Christian. When threatened, we need to take precautions. And heaven forbid if we are the one threatening.

Paul instructs the masters (slave owners) to moderate their behavior towards their servants or slaves. Notice he did not tell them he had to set them all free, even though that happened some. Instead, he said to “give up threatening” them. Why? Because these believing slaves had the same heavenly Master as they did. They were both children of the King. We should never threaten family, should we?

APPLICATION

This word for “threatening” is only used two other times in the New Testament. Once is in Acts 4:29 which reads, “And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence,” This is the passage where Peter and John had been arrested and then released by the religious leaders. They knew God had heard the threats that had been made against them and that He would protect them.

Later in the book of Acts, this same word is used to describe Saul (before he became Paul). In Acts 9:1 it says, “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,” Paul was madder than a wet hen about these new believers. He felt his way of life was under attack, so he was letting them know he was coming after them. Isn’t it funny that right after Paul’s conversion he too was threatened and people tried to kill him.

There is never a reason for us to threaten someone with harm. I am not saying you can’t defend yourself. That could happen. But we should never be the aggressor. And if you are a boss, for goodness sake, don’t threaten your employees. You may have to discipline or even fire someone, but that does not call for threats. Follow Paul’s example here in today’s verse.

Lord, forgive me when I have threatened others with my attitude or unkind words.