“Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. ‘How can Satan cast out Satan?’ He asked. ‘A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.’” (Mark 3:23-25 NLT)
What is it in your life that is preventing you from being all that God has called you to be? If you’re anything like me, it’s likely not something life threatening or major in the overall scheme of things, but an irritation caused by an argument or disagreement with a family member, co-worker, friend at church, or with someone during the activities of daily life.
Someone cuts you off in traffic, jumps in front of you in a line in which you’ve been waiting a long time, or maybe it’s a call with a “support rep” when you’re trying to get information you need to pay a bill or fix a problem. Whatever it is it likely makes you feel demeaned, discounted, or unnecessary. What’s the basis of that feeling? Very likely it’s the evil one.
One of Satan’s emissaries is trying to do what the enemy of our soul is always trying to do – push us away from Jesus. It’s like static in the phone line when you’re speaking with a loved one, it’s not necessarily anyone’s fault, it’s just part of being a citizen of planet earth.
Life has an ugly side and whether or not we’re a Jesus follower, we’re going to be forced by virtue of our humanity, to deal with emotions that are unpleasant and hard to handle. And the irony is, it’s often with the very ones we most want to love effectively and, in a Christ-honoring manner.
When my high school sweetheart and I weren’t seeing eye to eye it often put me in a foul mood. My dad would notice I was “off,” and would sometimes say: “She sure knows where your goat’s tied!” If you’re young, you may need to think about that one 😊. It just means she knew how to get me riled or, depending on the nature of our disagreement, how to hurt me.
As a rule, the only ones who can hurt us are those we love, those with whom we most want to get along. And, yes, there’s a sense in which they are those with whom we most need to have a meaningful and enjoyable relationship. Our spouse, our boss, our teacher/students, our co-worker, or fellow Jesus follower.
It’s ironic on many levels that the people who know us best have the capacity to hurt us most deeply. Meaning, of course, they are the very ones whom we can hurt the most as well. To me that’s among the ugliest realities in my life. How so? Who, as a rule, has the most potential to hurt someone? Someone who’s been hurt or is hurting.
Rick Warren wrote: “Hurt people hurt people.” That’s why it’s often important to remove ourselves from environments or conversations that are toxic for us. There is a time to stand our ground and a time to retreat and regroup. When we’re tempted to say and/or do something that will dishonor the Lord, it’s time to clam up and remove ourselves from the situation if at all possible.
There’s little that is more damaging to our witness for the Lord than responding negatively to the seeds of contention that are sown by those we love the most. Our ugly side is never revealed so quickly than when we allow ourselves to be drawn into an unhealthy conversation or activity that gives the devil a foothold in our mind and heart.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 