don’t
fight against God
Sometimes we put an awful lot of
energy into evaluating and judging other people. We enter into disputes and fights—even over
“ministry”! In the church, we do this
not just with individuals but with services, other congregations and
organizations.
Yes, there is a place for
discernment—that is a gift of the Holy Spirit—but care must be taken so that
what is exercised is a gift from God and not simply criticism, jealousy,
insecurity and the like. How do you
distinguish between true discernment and judgmental or critical attitudes?
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True discernment will follow the
guideline of Love. If you are not sure
on the details of that guideline, read 1 Corinthians 13. Can you list a few of the characteristics
from that guideline that would apply to exercising discernment:
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If
thoughts and opinions cannot come under the authority of that passage, then
they are probably more self-motivated than Spirit-led. In that case, they would be more destructive
than constructive.
I like the way that Gamaliel
displays wisdom in dealing with a group of peers who seem to have had some
pretty mixed motives for wanting to silence the disciples of Jesus. Gamaliel brought the issue back to God, the
Creator of the Universe, the Sovereign One, the Almighty. Who in their right mind wants to struggle
against such Awesome Power?
There is certainly a time and place
to come against the evil works of men and of darkness. But if it is unclear whether you are dealing
with the works of men or of God, wouldn’t it be wise to pray, observe, speak
only if/when necessary, and let God reveal Himself in the situation? We need His wisdom combined with His love.
Read and Pray: 1 Corinthians 2:9-13, 1 Peter 4:15-16, Psalm
131:1-2, Proverbs 2:1-5
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