The Thin Line...

August 7, 2009

Danielle Joyner Kelley

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:18-20.

Christians have obligations to others and to each other. The Holy Spirit is key in doing both. We testify to non-believers about the salvation that comes from Jesus’ sacrifice. We also testify to other Christians to help them stay on a right path with God. “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1.

Two people following the Holy Spirit’s guidance are a huge threat to the enemy. The person seeking the Spirit’s guidance more and more will find themselves walking a thin line due to the enemy’s attacks. For example, there is a thin line between rebuke and judgment. One is appropriate and the other is improper. While we may say we are not “judging” in words, our actions may show that we are.

To defeat the attack there are two things to do. First, start with what is most important, and that is Jesus Christ. Sharing the good news of salvation saves souls, and that is the most important message. Second, remember your audience. The Apostle Paul, writer of many books in the New Testament, spent a great deal of time writing to churches in different lands. Paul was always mindful of his audience, and spoke the truth, in line with God’s word, but in a way that encompassed the problems each church was facing through a message that would encourage them to remember they were serving Jesus Christ. “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.” Romans 14:13.

Your enemy is behind the scenes trying to affect your audience at all times. Know that just as your audience will vary, the tone of your message should as well. The message itself remains the same, but the tone should be given in a way that will not allow the enemy to get a foothold, and will allow someone to learn more about Christ. If you teach them how to listen to the Holy Spirit, He will do the work. One of the primary ways to fall off of your line is when you try to do the work for Him. If someone runs from your message from fear or confusion, the enemy snuck in because those emotions are not from God. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Conflict arises when one person is acting on a part of God’s word, and the enemy is using another part against them. Remember he tempted Jesus with scripture, but Jesus responded with the right scripture for the occasion.

Look at your message. Is what you are discussing a “disputable matter”? “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1-4.

A “disputable matter” arises when one person in the conversation believes they are in line with God’s word, i.e. “preach the good news”, repay “an eye for an eye”, “don’t be drunk”, “desire greater gifts”, “baptized” means gifts. Meanwhile, the other person in the conversation is thinking they are in line with God’s word too, i.e. “don’t be yoked with unbelievers”, “turn the other cheek”, and Jesus turned the “water into wine”, we all have “different gifts”, and “baptized” means receiving the Spirit at salvation.

Both are in line with God’s word, but either both or one of them has failed to seek the Spirit’s guidance. If the message is not tailored in a way that will help the person to seek the Spirit’s guidance, the enemy will give them a “do not judge” scripture and you lose any hope you had of helping the Spirit to convict the other person. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19.

When you are getting bogged down in “disputable matters” you are losing precious opportunities to preach the good news of the Gospel to others who do not know Jesus Christ. “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” Titus 3:9. Win people over by your actions. Remember, the Spirit convicts and guides us into “all truth”. While two believers may both know they are in line with God’s word, the “truth” is provided by the Holy Spirit putting it into context.

That is a context that will benefit us all..