When the body of Christ isn't protected we become vulnerable and sick in the same way. Every person in the body of Christ represents an important part of that body. Some people lead and some follow, but without the other one, it's impossible to work correctly. When one person in the congregation hurts, we should all hurt and when someone has a praise report, we should all be in praise. But unfortuneately, this is not the case. We neglect eachother's needs, we covet eachother's possesions, we envy, we get jealous, and we secretly hold unforgiveness towards our brethren. This behavior soon leads to an attack on the body of Christ. A serious illness will develop and could end up causing death among the whole church. I've seen it happen when even the pastors were destroyed by the leading of the people and not the leading of God. This led to offenses and regrets and soon the church folded.
These illnesses of offense, jealousy, and envy, covetousness, etc. will grow and cultivate and then they create symptoms that aren't healthy to the body. These kinds of sicknesses can not be treated with medicine over the counter or prescribed by any doctor. These illnesses must be treated by the great physician, God. His consultation is free and guaranteed to work.
"But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth." Jm. 3:14 (Amplified)
"For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices." Jm. 3:16 (Amplified)
In knowing this why then do we allow these feelings to continue growing in the body of Christ? So what do we do about it? The first thing is not to try and fix it on our own, there are no home remedies for these kinds of maladies. There is only one Dr. who can fix us. His Word is the preventative medicine that will keep us healthy. It requires a daily dose though in order to work.
"A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Prov. 17:22
How do we stay happy and cheerful? Well, God told us to love one another as we would want to be loved. This is a simple rule to follow and it really works. When we give to others in an unselfish way, our hearts grow and we can't help but be cheerful. But when we allow strife, envy, jealousy, unforgiveness to rule our hearts, we do start to dry up and become bitter and unhappy.
Our happiness is not something we can make happen without the help of a Doctor who rules over all. As carnal beings, which is living in the flesh, we tend to become either defensive or offensive about situations. When we are attacked by someone else, we put a wall up and become protective and defensive. The Webster's Dictionary describes the word defense as "vindecation". What exactly does that mean? Vindecation is a form of justification on our part, and not God's. The rule of thumb is that to every action there is a reaction. This type of action is man made and a sure guarantee of failure. Someone always gets hurt. This is not how God intended it to be.
When we are "in" the world our flesh acts out and our reactions cause further harm. Being "in" the world means we are not trusing in, relying upon or leaning on the Lord for His guidance. He promises to be our vindecator but if we don't know His Word, we end up destroying the promises He has for us. Our vindecation turns into an act of hatred. This leads to emotions of guilt, selfishness, greed, pride, and allows sin to creep in and make us sick. When someone attacks us on the offense, we counter attack on the defense. Why is this so bad you may ask?
"A brother offended is harder to win over than a strong city, and (their) contentions seperate them like the bars of a castle." Prov. 18:19 (Amplified)
Think about that, the walls we build around ourselves are harder to be won than those of a strong city! That means there is no hope for love, peace, joy or contentment to break through. It leaves us mistrusting and bitter, not a good situation for you or those around you.
What exactly causes us to be on the defense or offense in the first place? It goes back to not allowing the great physician to heal us. It's a lack of faith in God's Word and promises. It's a loss of trust.
"And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert (Him Whom they ought to trust and obey) and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and persue one another with hatred." Mt. 24:10 (Amplified)
It's so sad when we are given all this truth and knowledge and it has been proven, but yet we still seem to challenge God by saying, "Show me!" Even when He does show us, we still are blind to the truth. Carnality is a very dangerous place to be especially in this day and age.
As the disciple Matthew wrote, it's losing faith that results in our offenses which then leads to hatred of others. Since God is love, then we can know that these feelings are not from Him. In fact He sent His only Son, Christ to take away all these burdens from us, so that we as Christians, the body of Christ can walk in love at all times.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief) ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good,-not harsh, hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." Mt. 11:29-30 (Amplified)
With this kind of promise and healing, why then are we still so obsessed with trying to have things our own way? We were never intended to be "in" this world, we were created to be "of" it. That means that we are here to serve our Lord, our Father, our Creator and to serve one another so that our lives will run smoothly and be healthy while passing through. It's not our destiny to be "in" this world, we are but mere aliens just passing through in order to advance the kingdom of God before reaching our final destiny which is with Him.
Are you going to let the secular world fool you into a false sense of security or will you allow Christ's yoke to set you free? Be healthy in Jesus.
The best vitamin for a Christian is...B1!!!
Vivian Gordon who is called into the teaching ministry loves to bring God's Word in articles that others can relate to in order to reconsider their salvation. There is no other way to the Father than by comingh through Christ. She wants as many to know Christ as possible and to grow healthy and prosperous.
After more than three decades of church ministry, I have... Read More
If you would like to learn to read tarot cards,... Read More
Listen to the sound of silence. Enjoy the peace and... Read More
Why do bad things happen to good people? Surely this... Read More
The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More
Let's say that you have discovered your purpose but you... Read More
Excerpt from The Journey That Never Was: a guide to... Read More
The second verse of Amy Grant's song, "Angels Watching Over... Read More
Originating in what is now modern India; Tantra is at... Read More
You're looking at one star in the middle of a... Read More
Just for a moment think of what is stopping you... Read More
What is the true nature of any illness? Research in... Read More
I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just... Read More
Are you always looking for bargains, especially something that you... Read More
Seems that everyone who writes to me signs their letters... Read More
When God first unveils a business or ministry vision that... Read More
Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. You... Read More
Observations from the Town Car... "Home James!"The bulk of driving... Read More
Paul is led up a 512 ft. hill, Mars Hill,... Read More
As a child growing up, whenever I was worried about... Read More
"Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for... Read More
An interesting question arose within a poetry workshop I attended... Read More
God poetry is one of my favorite genres, although I... Read More
There is an prayer process in every religion and everyone... Read More
The earth is wrapped in a thin, loose shell of... Read More
The deeper beauty of spring is its process. In winter's... Read More
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More
Recently, I received a postcard from Ireland. Without reading the... Read More
Spiritual Inspiration Music is about Love, Growth, Spiritual and Personal... Read More
I love rivers. I have for many years lived away... Read More
It is tough being here on this plane. You have... Read More
The normal Aquarian preoccupation with rational science is clearly seen... Read More
Your guardian angel is your link to the divine. The... Read More
The Mind in an Advanced Thought System:The center of our... Read More
I thought for sometime that I was hard done bye... Read More
I cringed lower into the seat of my grey metal... Read More
Good morning beloved,I always feel a need to let people... Read More
"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written... Read More
1. Identify a woman who is "like minded," who has... Read More
One of the saddest times in any child's life is... Read More
Don't be confused that a saint is a religious leader... Read More
Spiritual stuff is a hard sell Roy and one of... Read More
Liam says to Joe; "where is your God now, when... Read More
What does the story of your life say about you?... Read More
It is so obvious that God works and thinks on... Read More
Echo was a flea-bitten gray horse, with brown speckles everywhere,... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
It's human nature to point a finger when we think... Read More
I seemed to have lost my heart. Now this is... Read More
How do you feel when you see homeless people on... Read More
'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom... Read More
We have all heard the phrase, "follow your nose". This... Read More
Vanity - it's easy to mask, easy to forget, and... Read More
Whenever, we have a task or project to carry out... Read More
There's a Native American belief that before we are born,... Read More
No one appreciates mothers enough. In this life, that's a... Read More
Recently, I received a frantic midnight call from one of... Read More
Enlightenment can come in an instant or it may take... Read More
The truth revealed as we read about Hazael also reminds... Read More
The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More
Many people are awakening today to the idea that the... Read More
There's a lot of talk about angels these days. They're... Read More
Is life challenging you to take a bigger leap? Are... Read More
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS... Read More
I want to tell you a love story. It's actually... Read More
Who is the more spiritual person? The woman out on... Read More
Spirituality |