Put Down Your Defenses
The word defences in Greek is the word apologia meaning "a reasoned statement or argument". It is the root from where we get the word apologetics, which is reflected in the text below.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." I Peter 3:15-16
The Scriptures offer a number of statements about how we are to contend for the faith...righteously.
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." James 3:13
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1
"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:2
"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." II Timothy 2:25
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
There is nothing in the Gospel about defending ourselves. It is not our cause we are to champion, but the cause of Christ. Yet how many times are the two confused, even in the mind of Christians?
How can we defend ourselves and deny ourselves at the same time? Who are we really lifting up in our speech, our actions, and our attitudes? Who is our God? When our focus is on us, we have lost sight of Christ.
"My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart." Psalm 7:10
WOW! I must say, I am VERY GUILTY of being a Defensive person. All of my life I have felt like I needed to prove something. I always hated to be wrong or have some one tell me I was etc etc. This is something I still stagger with because like the video said, Defensiveness was a BLIND SPOT to me. I was ignorant to it. But know that I know the problem and the cause of it. I will pray and ask GOD to deliver me from the bondage of defensiveness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this! I am guilty of this as well. The thought came to mind that defensive people (i.e. ME) put up walls intended to keep people out but have the double affect of shutting the Lord out as well. Especially in deeply ingrained areas where He is calling for change and yielding. The video really puts it in perspective. I pray for the grace to yield and the discipline to undergo the change that the Lord requires.
ReplyDeleteYep, I agree with you Niomi. Just like the video said, it makes you an island; cut off from everyone and everything.
ReplyDeleteGreat, Spirit filled post as usual, LDB.
ReplyDeleteThose in Christ, most especially mature believers will NOT defend themselves: but they will defend Christ to the death. The self ceases to matter: only Christ does.
"Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." - Jesus the Christ, Matthew 10:16
"4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails." The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Those that are in Christ will share the same Fruits of the Spirit with Him: because they share the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Those who are not, will not, and are full of self worship, foolish pride, hypocritical judgment, keeping record of wrongs, impatient, lovers of self, etc.
Let all who proclaim Christ ask of Him these fruits, for he He is the Faithful and True Witness, and Gift-giver.