How To Stand Your Ground. Part [4] 12/02/2023 (Evening thought)

Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

As Christ was humiliated, and handcuffed in the public square, Peter sought to distance himself from Christ somewhat for he feared an association with Jesus, would draw him into an uncomfortable position, in the eyes of the popular majority. And as satan studied his tendency, he went to work, using  agents to cause Peter’s fall.

The true soldier of the cross in our day must be very careful of aligning himself / herself with the popular, for when it comes down to the wire, they could turn and rend you, like they did with Christ. When Jesus was healing all the diseases of the people, and was providing M.R.E s, He was no doubt the favorite and the disciples pressed closely about Him, seeking the seat closest to Him.

But when the tide of popularity turned negative and following Jesus became a liability, the disciples were at a loss as to how they should deal with these new unfavorable ratings. As it is currently, it doesn’t cost us here in America, anything, or very little, to follow Christ, that is why any, and everyone can claim to be a Christian, without fear of retribution, and heckling and scorn.

Matthew 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

How To Stand Your Ground. Part [3] 12/01/2023 (Morning thought)

Exodus 32:2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

Being the ordained high priest, it was fitting for him to be gentle, but firmness, gentleness and courtesy can and must always come wrapped up in a bundle in the Christian, so that the one would support the other, or otherwise offset the other when due. For instance, if the devil were to come to you using flattery through some human agent, you should say no, in a courteous manner. No need to shout, or to make a brawl, for no should be a firm no, regardless of one’s demeanor.

As Christians, we can stand our ground in a Christlike manner, without becoming all riled up. But if flattery and praise do not work, devils will try another tactic, by trying to heckle the Christian into submission. Some persons are quite good at dealing courteously with flattery, but when the fiery darts of heckling, gossip, and character assassination are to hurled at us, some Christians blow a fuse.

Such was the case with Peter, who could not stand the thought of being linked with an unpopular Jesus and as satan got wind of it, he turned up the heat of the furnace several notches until in a fit of anger, he blew a fuse. Multiple rounds were fired by satan for he a careful observer, and saw that Peter courted a penchant for popularity.

Exodus 32:3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!