“But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.””
Luke 11:15 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.11.15.NKJV
People like to throw stones. I don’t mean that literally, although it could be literal as it happened to Jesus and countless others in the Bible. But today, most people use the powerful tactic known as “character assasination”. A means whereby they do everything in their power to tear down your reputation. They use slanderous words and hurl them all around for anyone naive enough to listen.
I’m sure we have all at some point fallen victim to a few stones hurled our way or maybe we have been stone throwers. Metaphorically speaking, stones are judgements or accusations about how we are living in Christ. Maybe you’re the type of person who enjoys giving gifts because you take pleasure in seeing joy in people’s faces but you’re accused of seeking approval. You may feel strongly about helping those in need but you’re accused of being patronizing and self-righteous. Maybe you like to try and build people up with positive words but are seen as a people pleaser. Sometimes people deliberately misunderstand your intentions or take your words out of context to the point where nothing you say or do is right.
If you have had to endure any or all of the above accusations and you’re tired from dodging stones, faint not. Neither should you grow weary. Jesus was accused of much worse. He was accused of being the devil’s tool and a hypocrite when all He was doing was God’s work. If they hated Him, they will hate you. I’m not talking about people who do drugs and jail time, I’m talking about those of our own household, and members of our congregation.
The Pharisees accused Jesus of healing by the power of the devil. They were envious of Him and the growing influence He had on the people. They were hell bent on discrediting Him so as to keep the people’s loyalty and themselves in power. They called him hypocrite because He didn’t care for their self righteous rule-keeping, and religiosity. He worked on the sabbath and went whenever and wherever He was required. He sat with sinners, mingled with lepers and offered salvation to Gentiles.
When I first found Christ, all I wanted was to please Him and become part of His body. Unfortunately, I thought this meant listening to more mature Christians as to how to “be” in Christ. I wanted to belong in the church family. I wanted my children to have a safe place wherein they could grow up surrounded by godly families. I towed the line, learned Christianese and jumped through church hoops like a good godly girl should. Until it finally dawned on me that those supposedly more mature Christians’ corrections were coming in more frequently and fast becoming accusations to the point I could do nothing right. I soon realized they had less to do with my spiritual growth and more to do with their insecurities and desire to control me.
In a crazy (and likely ungodly) attempt to throw off those shackles, I decided to be myself in (whom I thought was) Christ. So I stopped walking on egg shells and decided to speak truth no matter how harsh those truths came across. To hell with easily offended Christians and people. I’ll say what I believe and the world can just deal. We are not to be easily offended, right? I felt empowered, like an oppressed woman stepping out of the kitchen for the first time, swinging bra in hand and torch in the other. I was going to show the world and all them judgy Christians who Jesus really was. Don’t laugh.
When a genuine, authentic Christian is walking in Christ, their spirit will already be persecuting itself. We know when we’ve done something wrong before anyone says anything, we are already throwing stones at ourselves. With the actual devil constantly throwing darts, combined with convictions by the Holy Spirit, dodging darts and stones becomes a bloody warfare. We need all the strength we can muster from Christ and fellow believers to extend grace for our flaws, and encourage us rather than destroy us.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Colossians 3:16 NKJV)
Sadly after that initial experience, I went to the other extreme, I hurt many people, possibly genuine, caring brethren. I spoke many truths harshly and unashamedly, shamefully. I realise that now, and am working towards restoration, forgiveness and compassion. Praying I can strike that perfect balance one day of speaking truth forthrightly and in love. Growing and dying in Christ is a daily/minutely process, and some days, I fail miserably because habits are formed over time. We’re all a work in progress, the important thing is to stay humble and open to the spirit of Christ. Some of us are John the Baptists, others are Peters, many are Paul and sadly, we’re all surrounded by and can sometimes be Judases.
We can all be accusatory and judgemental, thinking we are the benevolent other of modern Christianity. The Christs of the world bestowing our goodness and corrections upon the heathens and babes. But it takes humility to take a good actual Christlike look at ourselves in line with the Bible, and ask, why am i doing this, for whom and how should I do/say this? Basically ask, what would Jesus do?
We only need please God. The world and all its opinions are fickle and ever-changing. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His mercy triumphs over judgement. It’s time we stop flinging stones.
Beauty For Ashes, Restoration 