Fire Ain't Friendly !
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I (Jesus speaking) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10
We all know that verse pretty well. We claim it over our lives when we believe we have been attacked by the enemy. It's good to proclaim God's Word ! Do we ever think about how the enemy may attack us? Do we ever think he can use other people, ... even Christians, to do his dirty work? Are you guilty of it yourself?
We are in a battle, people. Or have you forgotten what the Word says? For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 In battles, sometimes a person, or group of people may become injured or destroyed by what the military calls "friendly fire." What an oxymoron. Fire ain't friendly! Friendly fire is 'inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces'. This means that the bullets, missiles, or other weapons that was supposed to help our side, injures or destroys our own people.
For example, have you shown bitterness to another brother or sister in Christ? Fire One! Have you been impatient with loved ones because you did not get your own way? Fire two! Are you haughtily complaining to the pastor because you don't like the way the chairs are arranged in your church? Fire three! (Notice I said "haughtily complaining", there is a gentle way to make a suggestion, that involves love and patience. Check your motives here.)
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:3
I've been guilty too, believe me. I know I have attacked other Christians inadvertently when I was supposed to be helping, encouraging, serving, loving. Every time I have become frustrated with my children because they don't get ready for school fast enough, or when my sweet, darling husband aggravates me over something so miniscule that should not aggravate me,... I didn't show love and patience, I have shown anger and frustration. Fire four, five, six, and seven, and probably one hundred!
There are two problems here. The first is that we are firing at each other when we are supposed to be battling the enemy. We don't directly battle the devil, it's just that I would need a whole 'nother ten pages to explain that one. The second problem is that we are using the same (evil ) weapons that the enemy uses, (henceforth, he's using us against each other, when we are called to love and serve one another). Our weapons are prayer, serving, love, God's Word, encouragement, helping, etc. etc. You can add to this list.
This is my favorite verse in the Bible, probably because I need to be reminded of it the most:
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].
1 Corinthians 13:4 - 8
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Who do lions attack? The weakest member of the pride. The one that is alone. Why do we Christians run off by ourselves and become weak? When we have been torn down by one another. So, when we get together, hoping for encouragement, and yet, we receive the opposite, it can be very discouraging.
We are to build one another in love. When we get together, (And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near - Hebrew 10:25) we should be encouraging, exhorting, praying for, one another. It ain't gossip time, It ain't complaining time! It's worshipping the Lord together and helping each other time!
Also, I am not just talking about church, either. This happens at work, school, home, anywhere and everywhere. Again, I've been guilty of it too. I am trying to encourage all of us to think about these things more. Be more aware of how the enemy can use you, yes you, to bring down or discourage another brother or sister, or anyone, for that matter. Let's not let him! Gird up your belt of truth, prepare yourself, put on the full armor of God and love one another.
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7
