2 Corinthians 5: 16-17 NKJV
What is it like to not be offended by something someone may say? To not be hurt by the wicked words of someone who is bent on hurting anyone they come across? Can we ever come to that point? Well, I believe that we can. The solution to this issue we all face in our daily interactions with those around us lies, as one might expect, in Gods word. Of course, it may take a little bit of application in order to arrive at the point where we focus not so much on the hurtful words of annother, but on the real cause of ones bad behavior. I would suggest that we have been focusing on the wrong enemy in our dealings with those whose words have hurt us. For when this happens, our first thought is to somehow focus on the person, and not the root cause of the behavior. What is that trigger? Well, the apostle Paul gives us a good start in our quest in 2 Corinthians 5. It is here that Paul warns us to, "Not regard anyone according to the flesh." If you are confused by this advice, then a quick trip to the begining of Gods creation may be in order
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV
We realize, from this scripture in Genesis 1, that WE were created in our Lords own image. I believe this is where some may get confused. For what is Gods image? Well, scripture assures us that the very image of God is spiritual.
The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2 NKJV
We now have two points of focus here, that the image of God is spirit in naure, and that we were all created in Gods image. This would be that point where I would expect the light bulb to turn on over the head of the reader. So, if we were all created in the image of our Lord, and we know that Gods image is spiritual, then WE, created in His image, must be spirit in our identity! Trust me, this is key to our discussion. Now for the real part of our focus when someone may say things that hurt us. Who is in control of that outburst? Who is this child of God exemplifying with their anger? Well, it most likely isn't God.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us a clue to who the perpetrator of this battle is. He is the enemy, the wicked one, he is satan. We can assume that one of the main goals of our adversary is that we not come to the realization that we are our Lords precious child. And as His children, that we are heirs to His kingdom. For this incites anger in our adversary. He will do anything to keep Gods children, those created in His very image, from enjoying our eternity with God. For it is satan himself who rose up against God, placing himself above his creator. This is the face of our enemy.
What does this mean as far as the hurtful words of others? When we ourselves use hurtful words on those around us, are we therefore evil? NO! For we are children of God, created in the image of our creator. Is there a difference in the words we may say and those of others? No, for we are all created in Gods image. Each of us, even those we may dislike, are still created in Gods image. So, when Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 5 to "Regard no one according to the flesh," I believe that we are to regard one another as one who is created in the image of our Lord. Is this a difficult thing to do? Most certainly! However, I believe that when we do this, we free ourselves from the hurful words of one of Gods children.
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment