"No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 CSB
If you have a particular church ministry, you are a target for the evil one. Especially if you are the worship leader for the day or if you are preaching the word. You are in a very vulnerable position. Let me explain:
Let's say for example that it is Sunday and you are the preacher for this particular day. Prior to leaving home you have an argument with your spouse - a pretty bad one. Words are spoken that either of you don't mean but they pierce you both and hurt. You are minutes away from leaving home and your spouse says she is not going with such a hypocrite. You manage to persuade her and on the way there, the two of you continue to bicker. Finally arriving at the church, people are making their way into the building and you notice that there are a couple of people on the door welcoming people. The last thing you want to do is hug someone or be nice and polite, but you put on a false face and exchange pleasantries.
Following more hugs and welcomes from fellow Christians inside the church building you take a seat. You are both invited to sit on the front row - Yuk. The worship goes by and it only seems seconds before it is time for you to hit them with your sermon. The lecturn is right in front of where your spouse is sitting and every word that comes out of your mouth, you notice a frown that appears to be saying, 'You hypocrite, you need to practice what you preach, matey boy.' You try to avoid these eyes that appear like daggers, but in the end you have to get on with it.
Who is in the wrong here? Well, you may say the devil, after all he is the author. But he is not the one in the wrong, you both are. Yes, your spouse was taunting you with bad feeling, but you were also in the wrong because you preached a sermon in your own strength. It is doubtful that it was Holy Spirit based. It would have been better to take one of the leaders aside and confess that you had had a bad row on the way to the church and you feel bad about it all. They would be faced with two choices, either release you from preaching that day or offer to pray for you both. The latter would have been more favourable because, this would have brought about a peace, that you both needed. You would then have been better placed to preach the word that God had given you.
We are normal, human beings. Just because we are Christians does not mean that we will not have arguments. And let's face it, what better time for the devil when you are going to minister. If this has happened to you, it's ok, you are normal. But realise one thing, rows are powerful weapons so, if you are ministering on a particular day, be prepared, the devil will try and launch an attack. Be alert totally, because the attack may not come from where you expected it to. It may be designed to block you in another area. Be prepared.
This is not only for people in a ministerial position, it is for us all. The devil is roaming around ready to pounce 1 Peter 5:8. Be ready at all times. Train yourselves to recognise what is happening before you become involved in an argument; not easy I know, but it is achievable and essential. And put you armour on.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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