The Accuser Being Strong

The Accuser

Being Strong

It doesn’t matter if you are big or small, man or woman, young or old

We all have a reactionary button

But God tells us to hit the proact not the react button

It doesn’t matter if you are big or

small, man or woman, young or old.

We all have a reactionary button.

You might have even used the

term “Don’t push my button”.

When accusations are made against us, a button gets pushed. 

That button triggers anger.

I am not a boxing fan, but

I do like the Rocky movies.

I love the song “Eye of the Tiger”.

I believe it was Rocky IV in the revenge fight

against Russian Ivan Drago after the exhibition

fight with Rocky’s friend Apollo Creed and Ivan…

Creed dies and Rocky seeks revenge.

I remember sitting in my living room full of

emotion pounding my lazy boy chair in sync

with every blow Rocky thrust to the body of Ivan.

To this day my wife can’t get over

how I killed my lazy boy chair.

It felt so good to get revenge.

And that is the problem…

Revenge feels good.

There is good reason God

warns us not to seek revenge.

  

Revenge can not only make you

bitter it can escalate your troubles.

It is not the toughest muscle that wins the battle.

The advice in Romans 12 is incredible.

In order to live according to Romans 12 you have to be strong.

Romans 12 starts by saying…

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

How you think matters.

How does your mind think about those who persecute you?

Do you think blessing or cursing?

Do you think of repaying evil for evil?

Are your thoughts on harmony no matter

 what the position a person is in?

Do you strongly consider what everyone else thinks?

Is your goal to not only live at peace

but make peace with everyone?

God tells us revenge is a matter we

should leave to the hands of God.

It is possible that if we do good to those who accuse

and persecute us that they may be overcome by good.

My family went through a very difficult

time when someone made an accusation

that caused us a lot of pain and suffering.

It was very hard to be around our accusers

because they were so cold and were

looking for ways to make us look evil.

I gathered my family and told them…

“Never let someone intimidate you from doing what is right.”

“Never let someone keep you from displaying love.”

So instead of giving back sarcastic

looks we return with a smile.

You and I can get mad and burn with anger or we can

do good to those who miss use us and see it burn them.

Whether you are big or small, man or woman

young or old you can be stronger than your enemies…

By focusing not on harming them but

changing them by displaying the love of Christ.

And leaving the rest up to God.

There will be times we have to defend ourselves.

 

When you defend yourself, do it with humility.

And let your light of righteousness shine.

Badmouthing your accuser will only make you look bad.

Let the truth set you free even if

God is the only one who can see it.

Because in the end what He thinks is all that matters.

Scripture Reading

Romans 12:14-21 NIV

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.