Testimonies
“Don you remind me of three people, The Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge and last but not least the DEVIL! You are one bitter hearted man. It shows in your articles and critiques. You try to hide behind the word but your horns are still showing. One thing is for sure! Jesus does not live in your heart. There is NO WAY possible a person can possess such hatred and have Christ in their heart. When writers ask for a critique they are not asking you to be beat them with a baseball bat. What's wrong with you? Repent Don! Repent of your pride, jealousy and anger! Stop harassing God's people and be converted. Humble yourself under the hand of God and allow Him to created in you a clean heart. Only then will you be able to show love toward other believers.”
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You can imagine my surprise when I read this posting at the bottom of one of my articles here at Faith Writers.
Initially, I reacted to it, but any more I’ve learned that people get their perspective of us from some where and although we don’t WANT to agree with them, it doesn’t do any harm to at least consider what they have to say.
True to His nature, the Lord reminded me of a similar setting recorded in Second Samuel 16. Shimei came to curse David and not only did he utter words of contempt; he also threw stones at David and those that were with him.
What Shimei didn’t know was that in spite of outward appearances, the Lord God was working His will through David. Shimei handled the situation as if he had all of his facts straight and set out to not simply speak evil about and to the man, but also to hurl objects at him that were meant to cause pain.
I not only love David’s response, I also love the comfort the Lord, through His Word has given me.
David’s right hand man wanted to cross over and cut off Shimei’s head for his words and his actions, but read the man of God’s words in verse 5:
“But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?' "
Which brings me to the real point of this message;
One of my former pastors gave a teaching one day about the significance of Jesus being speared by the soldier. Without going into all the details (as glorious as it is), I’ll get to the heart of the matter.
Remember there at Golgotha, the soldier wanted to be sure that the Man was dead, so he thrust his spear into the Savior’s side, after which the scriptures tell us that “He was dead already.”
The soldier took, if you will, a parting shot at Jesus, but got absolutely no reaction from Him.
Just as folks, like my friend here (who, by the way posted this comment anonymously, like an unnamed soldier), will take shots at you and me. But this is not what comforts me, not in the least.
What blessed my soul is that although I initially wanted to react, in that instant there came a death over me and rather than scream “Did you hear what he said to me?” kind of whiny way; there grew a concern in me for the man who wrote these words to me. I was no longer concerned about myself because I’ve come to know that my relationship with Jesus Christ is intact and this man’s perceptions are askew.
I couldn’t help but notice the fear that tinged his words and the invective that is obviously poisoning his very soul.
I also had to consider whether or not what he had to say as being true, just as David did that day.
I also had to give ear to the possibility that this was a word of correction and that this man sees me this way for whatever reason, but once I’d determined that the problem is IN him and not in me, then I became concerned for him.
The point is; that when someone takes a parting shot at you (and they will), you will know that you are “dead to self” if and when that spear pierces your side; you don’t react.
To my anonymous brother, I offer you my thanks for allowing this to come into my day. You’ve no idea what a blessing you’ve been to me.
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I couldn't help but think of Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery. Years later, Joseph told them they meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. When I first read the comments from this person, I was appalled that anyone could send so many barbs. I think the ideal critique is one that follows the rules of telling them something good, telling them what could make it better, and telling them again something good ... like the bad being enclosed in quotation marks. Enclosing the correction in the middle is always better received. Your reaction to this is a lesson for all the rest of us. Thanks for writing this piece.
I am so pleased with the way you handled the arrows shot at you. We (believers) know who is in control of the brother. Let's all pray for this brother so he will see the truth. I have enjoyed some of your articles. GOD BLESS YOU.
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