There are times in life when a man feels the need to retaliate against those who attack his doctrine, his preaching and his integrity. There are times when we would love to take matters into our own hands and destroy those who are out to destroy us. It is easy for those who attack others to hide behind the safety of a microphone or a pen and launch their broadside attacks against those with whom they disagree. It is easy for them to pull the trigger and attempt to ruin a ministry and discredit someone who is merely trying to preach the Word of God. It is easy for them to launch their salvos and inflict their damage. They think it makes them look big and tough. They believe they are defending the truth. In truth, they are simply exercising their flesh and allowing their emotions to control their actions. It takes little effort to attack, belittle and the undermine others; but it takes a man of courage to look another man in the eye and say such things about him.
While it is easy for small men to hide behind their faulty, fleshy inspired attacks; it is hard when that attack comes your way. The flesh says, “Rise up and set the record straight!” The Spirit of God says, “Be still and know that I am God,” Psa. 46:10. God has never failed His people. There have been times when it looked as though He had. Think of all the martyrs that died horrible deaths simply because they refused to back down from the truth. They died in agony and God let it happen! But, did He fail them? No, of course He didn’t fail them. He gave them grace to face everything that came their way. He gave them grace to stand against their accusers. He gave them grace to stand for the truth. He gave them grace to face death rather than deny the truth. Then, when they died, He took them home to Heaven. Yes, there are times when we may want to launch our own attacks, but to do so is to lower ourselves to the level of those who would attack us. To do so is to ignore the clear command of Christ that we love the brethren and that we “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44. To do so is to do the work of Satan and to walk in pride. This is clear from Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
So, when deluded people level their petty attacks at you just remember, “Be still and know that I am God!” God has a way a setting things right without our help. So, before you open your mouth remember this: “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction,” Proverbs 10:14 and this “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom,” Proverbs 10:18-21. It is a given that times of opposition will come in our lives and ministries. It is a given that there are times when strife will mar our way. Be that as it may, we must be sure that we are not the cause of such times, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2. When those times do come, we must be sure that we take the high road of faith and Christlikeness and not walk in the foolish ways of those who stand against the truth of the Word of God.
Just a thought!
Alan
Fat Baptist 