Evaluate what you are willing to tolerate.

In Revelation 2, Jesus commends the church in Ephesus because they “cannot tolerate wicked people”, yet later He rebukes the church in Thyatira saying: “I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel”. In other words, Jesus judges these churches based on what they are willing to tolerate.

In this age of so-called ‘tolerance’, God would have us examine our lives to see if we are tolerating things that He doesn’t. Are we allowing things that he wouldn’t? Are we ignoring things that He would confront? Maybe out of fear of conflict, possibly because of a misguided sense of love - often we let things continue that God would want us to stop.

There are times when we need to draw a line in the sand and confront behaviour or attitudes in other people, or in ourselves, and refuse to allow them to continue.

You encourage what you tolerate. That which you tolerate tends to be repeated and grow.

Don’t tolerate anything which God has zero tolerance towards.

—

Revelation 2:2

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.”

—

Revelation 2:20

“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

—

Habakkuk 1:13

“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?”

—

Psalm 101:5

“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”