Critical Response
This week's Presidential debate was heated. If you don't like criticism, politics is not for you! For one person to get the advantage over the other they scrutinize every word and action their opponent makes with the hope that they find a flaw and can discredit them.
Luke 20:20-26 actually deals with politics for Jesus is asked about taxes, which was a big part of the debates discussion. Now understand that as Christians we have no choice but to vote. God is the author of government and we need to vote for the individual that leans most towards biblical principles. We cannot just vote for a political party, for we are not of the elephant or the donkey but of the Lion and the Lamb. I prayed to the Lord about this election and He told me to vote for Family and for Life.
This message though is not really about politics as neither was the question the religious leaders asked Jesus. It is all about how we respond to criticism, for the enemy's agenda is to discredit and destroy us, that is where politicians and Christians have much in common. The rate this nation is going with special interest groups pushing their agenda the more criticism we are going to continue to face. The sad thing as Jesus experienced is some of the heaviest criticizers are those you would expect are on the same side, like family, friends, other Christians.
There are a lot more critics in the world than encouraging people, even in the church. We have all been criticized and we have all responded in a way that we are not proud of. I know Christians who cannot hold a job simply because they can't deal with criticism. We got to understand that we can't make everyone like us, and because Jesus is in us, we are an enemy to the world. It never feels good to be criticized whether justly or unjustly but it is a tool that either makes us or breaks us.
Jesus teaches us as His followers in this chapter how to respond to criticism?
1. When responding to judgmental individuals it is best to ans `wer a question with a question.
We must beware of the motive behind people when they ask us a question so we can respond appropriately.
There are people around us waiting for us to say the wrong thing, or words that they can twist to give us a bad name.
2. Don't let critical people distract us, stay focused and continue with our God given assignment. If they move us the enemy now has a foothold.
3. We must not take it personal, Jesus get's in people's way so they must find a way to get Him out of the way, it is not about us, it is the one within.
4. Understand whom are enemy is, so we are not ignorant of His devices.
Jesus greatest enemies were those who you would think would be his greatest allies.
The counterfeit, (those whom have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof), oppose the genuine, they are too proud to admit their lack of credibility and instead criticize and appoint judgment when in fact they are jealous.
5. It is best to take a step back and reconnect with the Holy Spirit when necessary.
We have been given the Holy Spirit whom will give us the words we need when we need them. It is vital that we stay sensitive to the promptings and the still small voice within. Unnecessary trouble can come when we respond in the wrong manner.
Wisdom as it is says in Proverbs is always within our grasp if we are listening. When in the heat of a conversation it is easy to get in the flesh but only in the Spirit does wisdom come. A harsh response will get a harsh reaction. A wise response will silence those whom oppose us.
What level we are at will determine our outcome, if we are in the flesh we are grounded and Satan has the high ground, if we are in the Spirit, we have the upper hand, and are not ignorant of His devices and fly above His scheme not snared in His trap.
Another major issue discussed at the debate was oil, the prices continue to go up, and it is effecting gas, electricity, food, etc. Who has the best plan to lower the gas prices?
The reason we as Christians respond to criticism in a worldly manner is because we are out of gas. We are not filled up! The price of gas is too much. Is there a price? Yes, our lives! What does that mean? Daily we must empty ourselves before Him and He will respond by filling us up. We cannot face the enemy if we don't have on the face of God.
Luke 20:20-26 actually deals with politics for Jesus is asked about taxes, which was a big part of the debates discussion. Now understand that as Christians we have no choice but to vote. God is the author of government and we need to vote for the individual that leans most towards biblical principles. We cannot just vote for a political party, for we are not of the elephant or the donkey but of the Lion and the Lamb. I prayed to the Lord about this election and He told me to vote for Family and for Life.
This message though is not really about politics as neither was the question the religious leaders asked Jesus. It is all about how we respond to criticism, for the enemy's agenda is to discredit and destroy us, that is where politicians and Christians have much in common. The rate this nation is going with special interest groups pushing their agenda the more criticism we are going to continue to face. The sad thing as Jesus experienced is some of the heaviest criticizers are those you would expect are on the same side, like family, friends, other Christians.
There are a lot more critics in the world than encouraging people, even in the church. We have all been criticized and we have all responded in a way that we are not proud of. I know Christians who cannot hold a job simply because they can't deal with criticism. We got to understand that we can't make everyone like us, and because Jesus is in us, we are an enemy to the world. It never feels good to be criticized whether justly or unjustly but it is a tool that either makes us or breaks us.
Jesus teaches us as His followers in this chapter how to respond to criticism?
1. When responding to judgmental individuals it is best to ans `wer a question with a question.
We must beware of the motive behind people when they ask us a question so we can respond appropriately.
There are people around us waiting for us to say the wrong thing, or words that they can twist to give us a bad name.
2. Don't let critical people distract us, stay focused and continue with our God given assignment. If they move us the enemy now has a foothold.
3. We must not take it personal, Jesus get's in people's way so they must find a way to get Him out of the way, it is not about us, it is the one within.
4. Understand whom are enemy is, so we are not ignorant of His devices.
Jesus greatest enemies were those who you would think would be his greatest allies.
The counterfeit, (those whom have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof), oppose the genuine, they are too proud to admit their lack of credibility and instead criticize and appoint judgment when in fact they are jealous.
5. It is best to take a step back and reconnect with the Holy Spirit when necessary.
We have been given the Holy Spirit whom will give us the words we need when we need them. It is vital that we stay sensitive to the promptings and the still small voice within. Unnecessary trouble can come when we respond in the wrong manner.
Wisdom as it is says in Proverbs is always within our grasp if we are listening. When in the heat of a conversation it is easy to get in the flesh but only in the Spirit does wisdom come. A harsh response will get a harsh reaction. A wise response will silence those whom oppose us.
What level we are at will determine our outcome, if we are in the flesh we are grounded and Satan has the high ground, if we are in the Spirit, we have the upper hand, and are not ignorant of His devices and fly above His scheme not snared in His trap.
Another major issue discussed at the debate was oil, the prices continue to go up, and it is effecting gas, electricity, food, etc. Who has the best plan to lower the gas prices?
The reason we as Christians respond to criticism in a worldly manner is because we are out of gas. We are not filled up! The price of gas is too much. Is there a price? Yes, our lives! What does that mean? Daily we must empty ourselves before Him and He will respond by filling us up. We cannot face the enemy if we don't have on the face of God.
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