Sweet Fragrance or Bad Odor

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness......Galations 5:22

She makes no bones about the fact that she is "not a team player." She listens in on co-worker's phone conversations with clients and then corrects what she feels needs correcting about what they said, even after only hearing part of the conversation. She has arranged it so that she gets all phone messages first, even before the boss, and then fills him in on her version of what the message said. She is first to hold her hand out when free gifts are passed out from vendors and then she doles out the leftovers to her co-workers. She constantly brags about how much money her husband makes. She tries to sell clients what they can't afford if she thinks it will benefit her. She seeks to damage others credibility.

Everyone takes a deep breath when she leaves the office. You can actually feel the tension dissipate and everyone relax. And what bothers me most of all? She has a sticker from a well known Christian church on the back of her car.

Toxic people. We have all worked with them or known someone who has.

You know the kind I mean. At work we call them "pot-stirrers." They never seem to be happy unless they are stirring up trouble for someone else. They get on the bosses good side, and when he or she shows up they act real busy. As soon as they leave they slack off.

Someone can call themselves whatever they want, but if their fruit smells rotten, well..........

This makes me wonder about Judas. I wonder if there was any indication at all as they were together for those three years, what he would become? Was there a feeling they got when he was in the room? When he left the room? Did they brush off doubts about his character? No one knows for sure, but I do know this, the Bible is very harsh with those who say they are Christians but go out of their way to cause dissention and trouble.

The enemy seeks only to do these three things....To kill, steal and destroy.

But Jesus comes to give life.

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, Romans 8:5,6

Help me Lord, to be a Jesus person and not a Judas person. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit who helps me in every situation, even dealing with toxic people. Thank you for being my protector and shield, and help me be a life-giver and not a life-stealer to those around me......Amen

photo credits: Josef Petrek public domain pics