DEFENDING YOURSELF: I don't know where the days have gone. According to this blog it seems I have not posted my journalling for a few days. Sorry about that. It was not intentional.
I am still working through Job. This morning I come to a thought which is heavy for me to handle. In the middle chapter of Job, his "friends" criticize and accuse him repeatedly. Job responds repeatedly. There is this back and forth that may have been exhausting for both sides. It was certainly so for Job.
In Job's responses he often refutes or corrects accusations of his friends. He also explains truth from his perspective. Is he "defending" himself? If so, is this right or wrong?
I truly don't know the answer. We see our Lord opening not his mouth when he is accused, yet he was in a vary unique situation. The Apostle Paul defending himself and it seemed to be honored by God. When is it right to respond in defense and when is it not? Is there a rule? Is this a matter of the heart?
Certainly we have instructions in the Word of God about correcting wrong and confronting evil yet we also have mandates to hold our tongue. Is this a judgement call?
Accusers tend to think they are right and tend to be quite dogmatic. They also tend to be arrogant enough to think that there words will put you in your place and help you see the light and bring about a certain response. So, when they are through, if you respond in any way differently from their expectations, often times you are immediately seen as responding wrongly. If you do not fall into the dust you are proud and arrogant. If you correct any untruths, you are defensive. I guess if we knew for sure this would be a result, than any defense at all would be pointless.
What I do know is this. Certainly, and ultimately, the Lord alone is our defense. Further, we are called to have open and humble hearts. As accusers come, regardless of their spirit or manner, we must seek the Lord for grace to hear and evaluate, as well as His discernement to find any truth therein regardless of the manner of the presentation. We also need to seek the Lord's leading for any response. If our attitude is not one of offensive, if we are genuinely appreciative and seeking to glorify God than it seems to me that the majority of our problems in this area go away. It comes down to our posture. If we feel we need to defend ourSELF than we are off base already. But, if our response is genuinely not that at all and we are simply trying to follow the leading of God and respond in a way which is Holy, then even if we are correcting our accuser and/or confirming truth about ourself, than it seems to me we are not being "defensive".
What do you think?
Dear Lord, humble my spirit! Take away any desire I have to defend myself against any and all attacks. Teach me to trust in YOU and your Sovereignty over all my affairs. Teach me to care only about your view and your opinion. Teach me to love others and see them through your eyes even when they are attacking. Help me love them as you loved your attackers and seek to minister to them in the midst of their attack. Oh Lord, to do this ... the need of the hour is less love of me and more love of YOU!
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