Speaking From God’s Wisdom Does NOT Offend But Encourage
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2 NIV).
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18 NKJV).
Important notice: The Lord gave us this message to write after members of our ministry and members of the body of Christ, in general, are being persecuted by their fellow 'Christian' brethren. The Lord is warning us not to wage war against each other. A true Christian employs the weapons of love, humility, and gentleness to embrace true unity in the body of believers.
The world as we know it is practicing violence, hatred, and every kind of sin the Bible warns against (Revelations 21:8). Scripturally, we learned that evil and deceit have been decreed by the Lord to continue until the end of time (Daniel 12:10; Matthew 13:30). When our Lord Jesus Christ visited the world, He brought a message of peace and reconciliation for all mankind (Luke 2:14; Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). However, the Lord has given His Peace to ‘those with whom God is pleased’ and these are those who accepted Him as their Lord and who follow His teachings (Luke 2:14; John 14:27). Learning from the Holy Scriptures, the Christian message teaches us a lifestyle of being peace-loving, humble, caring, and gentleness (Ephesians 4:2). Additionally, in bringing forth the beautiful heart of the Lord, the Scriptures knowing the disobedient nature of human beings teach us to be patient with others and allow them to react without a compulsion to the will of God (2 Timothy 2:24; 2 Corinthians 9:7). In other words, when a person conforms voluntarily to the Word of God he or she simply agrees with the scriptural instruction(s) to obey and submit to the Voice of God (John 10:27).
Demeaning Others Is Demonic
Some time ago the Lord Jesus sharply rebuked a young man in our ministry who was in the habit of humiliating and talking down on others. The Lord said that even if we rebuke others we need not state it in anger and as if the other person(s) is nothing (2 Timothy 2:25; Galatians 6:1). Now, brethren, we are not writing this message as if we are sitting in judgment over others, in fact, we are being encouraged ourselves to watch our salvation and not to be a stumbling block to others (1 Corinthians 10:32; Romans 14:13-23). Furthermore, our message to others whether we rebuke, teach, preach or encourage ought to be in a meek and gentle spirit impacted by the purity of the wisdom from above (James 3:17-18).
In the same breath, the Bible asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13 NIV). Thus, if our conduct and speech towards our brothers or sisters are hostile, demeaning, and driven by anger, bitterness, and hateful feelings such behavior has its roots in evil and we know who is the source of evil (James 3:14-16). Therefore, a person who operates from evil motives is driven by a spirit of evil hate, and whatever unpleasant thought or word he or she conceives he attaches it to his victim with evil intent. If we operate from ‘such “wisdom” [then it] does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil’ (James 3:15 NIV).
Now, brethren, I am not trying to play victim or hero here. My intention is simply to share an experience that could help and benefit someone in his or her walk with the Lord. As a ministry, we are not only receiving encouraging emails and messages from brethren around the world, in fact, some people plainly display their hatred towards us albeit in a Christian tone (scriptural verses) but with the voice of the devil which is evident through the spirit of the message.
We are going to be direct here, recently (24 July 2018) we received an email message from a former member of this ministry in fact a few such emails lately. In his discourse, the member did not hold back his thoughts, emotions, and what he thinks about us and our work in the Lord. At best, the spirit of love was absent and the voice of the Lord was silent we couldn’t hear it in that message as the ‘sulfur’ of insult and ridicule rained down on us. God forbids and may He help us love our fellow brethren and those who oppose our message. We emphasize a person has a right to disagree with a message, but when love is absent instead of correcting someone gently we do not fulfill the Lord's message of loving unconditionally (Romans 12:9-21; 13:8). Thus, if others condemn us and consider us a nuisance to life let us be comforted that the Lord Jesus Christ loves us more and He made us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
After reading such content, we were left asking ourselves, what did we gain from this, edification or encouragement? NO! Instead, our peace and spirits were momentarily disturbed (Proverbs 15:1; 4). Thus our gain in that message was pain, hurt, and slander which caused us to long for some comfort, nothing pleasant to help us in the Lord (Hebrews 10:24). To put it blindly, we were made to feel that we are welcome to seek and serve the Lord and that we are not part of Him! O’ Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for being a gracious and forgiving God who said, “Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me” (John 6:37 GNT). Brethren to get people saved, the Lord Exercises great patience with sympathetic love to invite sinners to Him (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15:20). Now beloved brethren, if we are in the business of destroying the faith of others we are not gathering but scattering and being a stumbling to others (Matthew 12:30). Let us be warned, when our turn comes to appear before the Lord, He will Judge us for the souls He lost as a result of our ungodly actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).
In conclusion, with this message, we are not saying that we stand above this message but in submission to the Lord, we accept whatever scriptural correction to obtain maturity in Christ and to be useful in service to His body. In addition, there will be a follow-up message to this one during next week or the week(s) thereafter.
As always, we would like to extend an invitation to anyone who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ yet, or if you are not born again, to pray our suggested prayer on this link Prayer of Sincere Repentance by faith and follow the Lord (Matthew 4:19). You may also contact us for any questions or comments about this article or our ministry.
With Love from all of us
Brother Glenn
The Father Has Unconditional Love For The Rejected
After reading such content, we were left asking ourselves, what did we gain from this, edification or encouragement? NO! Instead, our peace and spirits were momentarily disturbed (Proverbs 15:1; 4). Thus our gain in that message was pain, hurt, and slander which caused us to long for some comfort, nothing pleasant to help us in the Lord (Hebrews 10:24). To put it blindly, we were made to feel that we are welcome to seek and serve the Lord and that we are not part of Him! O’ Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for being a gracious and forgiving God who said, “Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me” (John 6:37 GNT). Brethren to get people saved, the Lord Exercises great patience with sympathetic love to invite sinners to Him (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15:20). Now beloved brethren, if we are in the business of destroying the faith of others we are not gathering but scattering and being a stumbling to others (Matthew 12:30). Let us be warned, when our turn comes to appear before the Lord, He will Judge us for the souls He lost as a result of our ungodly actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).
In conclusion, with this message, we are not saying that we stand above this message but in submission to the Lord, we accept whatever scriptural correction to obtain maturity in Christ and to be useful in service to His body. In addition, there will be a follow-up message to this one during next week or the week(s) thereafter.
As always, we would like to extend an invitation to anyone who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ yet, or if you are not born again, to pray our suggested prayer on this link Prayer of Sincere Repentance by faith and follow the Lord (Matthew 4:19). You may also contact us for any questions or comments about this article or our ministry.
With Love from all of us
Brother Glenn
