Powerful Weapons

Powerful Weapons

2 Corinthians 10: I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you—I who am said to be meek and mild when I am with you, but harsh with you when I am away. By the gentleness and kindness of Christ ² I beg you not to force me to be harsh when I come; for I am sure I can deal harshly with those who say that we act from worldly motives. ³ It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. ⁴ The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; ⁵ we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. ⁶ And after you have proved your complete loyalty, we will be ready to punish any act of disloyalty.

 

============

 

Feeling worried about the impending news, we gathered in a conference room and spoke only about the potential layoffs. No work was being done. I felt quite helpless. One person walked in the room with a smile that was genuine.

 

At first we thought she was coming in to say she was told she had a job, or perhaps she was relieved to be let go. She said, “GOD has this.” We all felt better.

 

• I looked to the world for answers.
• I tried to mimic people who the world said was “successful.”
• I valued bottom line figures over things I thought were weak.

 

Paul spoke about his approach to spreading the Gospel of JESUS. Some may have said his approach was weak because did not use manipulative words to gain trust in groups as the world would do. He could have replied harshly, but he recognized using GOD’s weapons would be more important.

 

My Observations

• Strongholds will be torn down when I use GOD’s weapons.
• False arguments will eventually reveal the truth when I use GOD’s weapons.
• Proud obstacles that deter people from knowing CHRIST will be overcome when I use GOD’s weapons.

 

You mean to tell me I have to fight with love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control? These sound weak! I mean, what about using the world’s tactics that seem to work for famous people? GOD’s weapons are more powerful than the rich and powerful.

 

HE wants me to be genuine with my belief in HIM to solve every problem that may arise. I sometimes want to jump in with “my” plan and HE tells me to “be patient” because HE is building the faithful side in me. GOD knows my circumstances and provides abundantly. I am glad HIS weapons are at work when I cannot see them.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the writer’s view on worldly motives and weapons?
• Are you trying to fight strongholds, false arguments and proud obstacles using worldly tactics and feel you are losing?
• Will you trade in the world’s weapons for more powerful weapons that only come from GOD today?

Well Connected

Well Connected

John 18: ¹² Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

============

Advised on speaking to a specific person, I asked “Why should I?” “That person is well connected” was their reply. Confused about the statement, I asked “What does well connected mean?” They started naming all of the people this person knew. I still did not know what they meant by listing names, so I stopped asking questions.

• I had no idea at the time, people could become rich because of who they knew.
• I did not know, at the time, that people could be put in a position of power based on who they knew.
• I was unaware, at the time, that people could decide my fate, or at least they thought they could.

Caiaphas was the highest church leader at the time. He was threatened by the actions of JESUS, so he orchestrated HIS arrest. He used his connections to get government officials to bring troops in to arrest JESUS. He then sent JESUS to be interrogated by his father-in-law. He thought his plan was fool proof. BUT GOD saw through it.

• GOD sees when I am trying to control the situation.
• GOD wants me to let go of situations so HE can work.
• GOD desires to be in control and the more I hold on, the less HE will shine.

Little did Caiaphas know, his own declaration that “one man die for the people” is exactly what GOD wanted. He was trying to make an example out of JESUS so no one would challenge any church leader’s authority.

BUT GOD had the authority. JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be captured while maintaining HIS power as GOD. Caiaphas was never in control. GOD wants me to surrender control. This surrender only comes from the heart. I am glad HE is in control.

• Are you trying to use your connections to gain control over your life?
• Do you think you can control others?
• Will you release control and allow GOD to work out the situation today?

Before Accusing

Before Accusing

John 8: ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

============

“Ooo, I’m telling” was my threat to my adversary. Getting this person in trouble and seeing them punished was my goal so I added a few items just to make sure the sentence was harsh.

Unfortunately the person I spoke to used discernment and made me settle the issue I had with the person I was telling on. They also gave me a warning. “Be careful of accusing someone or you may get in trouble yourself.”

• Many times I wanted to accuse someone.
• Many times I wanted to see “that” person get in trouble.
• Many times I wanted to see justice served because of my accusation.

JESUS discerned the motives of the church leaders. HE wrote something on the ground that may have scared them. Did HE write the names of those who also committed adultery? Or did JESUS write specific hidden sins of the church leaders? We do not know. BUT JESUS did something else.

• JESUS forgives me in the middle of my sin.
• JESUS has compassion for me, knowing I need HIM.
• JESUS ignores my accuser, the devil, by giving me the HOLY SPIRIT who pleads for me on my behalf.

Before accusing anyone, GOD wants me to check my motive for accusing them. Do I want to restore this person or tear them down? If it is the latter of the two, then I may be accused of hatred by GOD HIMSELF. I am grateful GOD forgives me.

• Are you slandering someone?
• Do you speak harshly about other people?
• Will you stop trying to get others in trouble and seek GOD’s restoration so they can bring others to HIM today?

Mislabeled Leadership

John 4: Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— ² although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. ³ So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

============

“Why did you charge me so much for my system?” one person complained to me as I stood on stage. Since I was the leader of the organization that supported the system, it seemed only fitting to personalize the complaint towards me. I wanted to say “The last time I looked, I didn’t get any money for the system you bought” but that wouldn’t go so well with the people above me,

• Many times I have been labeled for things I did not do.
• Many times I had to accept the label because I was the leader.
• Many times I had to assume blame and simply try to make things right.

The church leaders were jealous of JESUS’s popularity. They went so far as to say “JESUS was baptizing people” as if to accuse HIM of not having the authority to do so. JESUS was not baptizing people, rather it was HIS disciples. But if HE did, HE definitely had the authority to do so.

• GOD wants me to accept responsibility for my actions without blaming HIM for my sin.
• GOD wants me to drop any jealousy I may have for someone who is serving the kingdom.
• GOD wants me to rely on HIS word which tells me exactly what HE is doing.

Knowing GOD removes blaming GOD. I mean when I get to know HIM, I understand that HIS motives are only to love me. Belief in this love not only gives me everlasting life, but care and protection in this life. HIS love for me is unsurpassed and that is the correct label I should give Him. GOD, the ultimate love, is my label.

• What are you blaming GOD for now?
• Does blaming GOD enable you to shirk your responsibilities?
• Will you study GOD to understand HIS vast love for you today?

Amazing Accusations

Matthew 27: ¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

============

“No I didn’t” was my instant reply when I was falsely accused. “I wasn’t the one! It was him” I said with extended finger. Of course I was right, but they labeled me as a rat who would tell on the mischievous. I was only trying to protect my hide!

• There were times I blamed others.
• There were times I made sure everyone knew the source of the issues.
• There were times I covered myself so I would not get in trouble.

JESUS took the blame to the “great amazement of the governor.” HE knew HE was going to die for the sins of mankind and had nothing to prove or protect himself for. The governor knew his word could bring death to people and was amazed that JESUS would not bow down to such assumed power.

• JESUS showed me HIS resolve by going to the cross and dying for me.
• JESUS showed me HIS integrity to die for me even when I blamed HIM for my problems.
• JESUS showed me HIS love by not speaking a word about my sins and taking on my punishment as HIS.

Not a word was spoken about HIS accusers. HE allowed HIMSELF to be captured, beaten and lied on for me. That is love I can never repay!

• Are you trying to convince GOD how good you have been lately so you can get your way?
• Are you blaming someone else for your problems even though you may be right?
• Can you stand with GOD and allow HIM to remove your barriers instead of squirming out of them by telling on people?

When They Arrest You

Matthew 10: ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

============

Wait, what? Is GOD’s expectation that I be arrested for HIM? Does HE expect me to be beaten and flogged for HIM? These were not words of expectation but prophesy. GOD was telling HIS disciples that they would be falsely accused, jailed and beaten as an example to make sure no one else proclaimed JESUS as LORD.

• There have been times when I have been falsely accused.
• There have been situations when I have been the butt of slander.
• There have been circumstances when I did not know what to do or say because I was profiled into a jail.

Extreme examples are what GOD needed then and now. I cannot say it will be necessary to be arrested for HIM, although sometimes HE does use this horrid situation to reach many. GOD told HIS disciples this for a reason.

• GOD wants me to expect things to go wrong in life so I can proclaim HIS name without faltering.
• GOD wants me to know I will be opposed in life so I can be prepared for the opposition.
• GOD wants me to be “Wise as serpents and harmless as doves”, knowing I will face people who do not like me.

Attention by an audience is what GOD wants. HE doesn’t want extremist harmful worship, rather peaceful statements that HE is LORD. Many people are afraid to say this because of money or lust for power. GOD turns to me and asks me to follow HIM in peaceful times and difficult times. I chose to proclaim HIM as LORD!

• Are you ostracized because of your beliefs in CHRIST?
• Do you feel you will be held back because of your boldness?
• Can you ask GOD to fortify your beliefs further so HE will speak through you at the right time?

False Accusations

Daniel 6: ¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

²⁴ At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

============

“Where is your expense report?” was the strange question that came from my boss at the time. I had given it to him in the usual manner, yet for some reason this one was missing. Fortunately for me I kept copies of all my receipts and gave him a fresh copy.  “Why is this large charge on your expense report?” was the next strange question. I showed him the email from which he requested I expense dinner for the group he was in charge of. “Hmm… something strange is going on” I thought to myself.

• There were times I may have been falsely accused.
• There were times I may have been falsely slandered.
• There were times I may have been falsely punished.

I told someone what was going on and they asked, “Aren’t you nervous?” For some strange reason, I did not feel nervous, because I had done nothing wrong. My conscience was clear.

• GOD says to me “By following ME, your conscience will remain clear.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME.”
• GOD says to me “I AM with you even when men say false things against you, for they did the same to ME.”

False accusations come from those who are insecure, power hungry and greedy. They will stop at nothing to get their way, even murder someone. JESUS was the perfect example of following every rule to the letter, yet was falsely accused, even unto death. BUT GOD raised HIM from the dead and now HE has the power to forgive anyone who confesses their sins to HIM.

It does not feel good at all when a person is slandering and falsely accusing me. BUT GOD sees through the pettiness. HE may allow a temporary setback, but HE protects me from harm and goes after my false accuser with a vengeance. GOD is my judge and forgiver.

• Are you being slandered by someone?
• Are you slandering someone?
• Can you stop your false accusations and confess your sins to GOD?
• Will you stop trying to protect yourself from false accusations and simply live for GOD with a clear conscience?

Being Part of the Set Up

1 Kings 21: ⁷ Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

⁸ So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. ⁹ In those letters she wrote:

“Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. ¹⁰ But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.”

============

Setting people up for failure was common in the workplace. Give a person a task and don’t give them the resources or support, then write an evaluation on them. Everyone was mad at this consultant anyway, and besides, in my mind he was a jerk!

• JESUS was falsely accused.
• JESUS was murdered by those who didn’t like HIM and who wanted power.
• JESUS was set up for failure by those who wanted HIM out of the way.

Slander is easy when I want to shine, but it takes maturity to confess my wrongs and admit my failures. GOD does not want me to be part of tearing people down rather HE wants me to encourage them to do better. I know everyone cannot be motivated by my words, but I should be ready to speak HIS words when GOD delivers someone to me.

• Are you setting someone up for failure?
• Have you pulled your support back?
• Can you encourage “that” person with words of GOD?