OFFENSE DEFENSE ON THE FENCE
As children of God we should not be offended, much less easily offended. We should be on the offense, discerning the enemies schemes, and being quick to recognize when others around us are under attack. This calls for practicing frequent forgiveness and forgetfulness.
Defending ourselves is unecessary if we are selflessly pursuing The Kingdom of God. When we are asking God to empty us of self and we are walking according to the Spirit, then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Our human nature always makes excuses for its own behaviour and justifies itself in its own eyes. Which of course results in blaming others (since adam and eve in the garden) and accusations and fault finding. Who is the accuser of the brethren? So what do you think is happening when you are continually at odds with others? You are "off sides" as we used to call it. You are standing on the opposing team's turf.
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:2,3
"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." Proverbs 13:10
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." I Peter 5:5
Please know that I am traveling through this same lesson right now. I am writing and sharing because I am learning that pride comes before a fall, and that too many of us think we know so much. God's word says that if any of you believe himself to be wise let him become a fool that he might know something. God help us to stop everything we are doing and make sure we are walking in obedience which is love, to take the low road. Take a little suffering for the love of God and account it as rewards. Let's be mindful of what we are portraying to others as a godly life.
God takes a lot of rubbish from us, but never treats us as our sins deserve or counts our sins against us. He took our infirmities and carried our diseases, our chastisement was upon him, by his blood...the stripes on his back we are healed. It is His great delight to say that we are free, now why can't we do that for others? Why must we demand that the other person bow to us and do as we say and please us or else? How is that THE KINGDOM OF GOD? And do we expect our prayers to be heard when we refuse to humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God and trust that He will lift us up?
We are on the fence people when we remain divided. Not like-minded. Contentious. Striving about words. Rude. High minded. Keeping record of wrongs.
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
"By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned." II Corinthians 6:3-7
Defending ourselves is unecessary if we are selflessly pursuing The Kingdom of God. When we are asking God to empty us of self and we are walking according to the Spirit, then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Our human nature always makes excuses for its own behaviour and justifies itself in its own eyes. Which of course results in blaming others (since adam and eve in the garden) and accusations and fault finding. Who is the accuser of the brethren? So what do you think is happening when you are continually at odds with others? You are "off sides" as we used to call it. You are standing on the opposing team's turf.
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:2,3
"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." Proverbs 13:10
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." I Peter 5:5
Please know that I am traveling through this same lesson right now. I am writing and sharing because I am learning that pride comes before a fall, and that too many of us think we know so much. God's word says that if any of you believe himself to be wise let him become a fool that he might know something. God help us to stop everything we are doing and make sure we are walking in obedience which is love, to take the low road. Take a little suffering for the love of God and account it as rewards. Let's be mindful of what we are portraying to others as a godly life.
God takes a lot of rubbish from us, but never treats us as our sins deserve or counts our sins against us. He took our infirmities and carried our diseases, our chastisement was upon him, by his blood...the stripes on his back we are healed. It is His great delight to say that we are free, now why can't we do that for others? Why must we demand that the other person bow to us and do as we say and please us or else? How is that THE KINGDOM OF GOD? And do we expect our prayers to be heard when we refuse to humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God and trust that He will lift us up?
We are on the fence people when we remain divided. Not like-minded. Contentious. Striving about words. Rude. High minded. Keeping record of wrongs.
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
"By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned." II Corinthians 6:3-7
Comments