I was about to write something on social media. I was right. It was true.
But then, I saw a big bonfire. It had all sorts of things in it, fueling it.
Lots of wood, hay and stubble, which in the bible, represents the flesh.
It was massive.
No need to add more, it was burning on its own quite well as so many others are feeding it.
People make money from getting lots of attention on social media.
Some, you wish their fire would die down, whether it’s true or not, it is not helping the world
to focus on what is good and right and true.
Adding fuel also reminds me of the proverb:
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him,
is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. Proverbs 26:17
We are safe to say, stirring the pot does not benefit the Kingdom of God.
Strife is an ugly spirit. It stems from evil, perhaps jealousy.
I saw it once, many years ago. I saw it in the church I went to at the time.
It was big, hunched over a bit, and dressed in a large, black robe, all the way to the floor,
with a hood and longish sleeves.
It also had a huge sword, almost as big as it was. He was lurking, waiting to make his move.
That evil spirit of Strife probably dwells in most churches and runs amok when he can,
waiting for someone to be a willing participant.
Gossip and slander are some of its methods as are hatred, unforgiveness, self-righteousness,
and a host of other attributes the Lord encourages us to stay away from.
Proverbs says it is the glory of a man to pass over a matter.
That means if you see a wrong, if someone offended you, let it go, right away,
don’t even give it a moment of your attention.
This isn’t necessarily what we all do, but this is what we should all do,
especially when we are trying to walk in Christ’s love:
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. Proverbs 19:11
It’s not easy to control anger. On top of that, in the same proverb, we are encouraged to let an offense go.
Who can do that besides Jesus?
We can too with Jesus’ wisdom and strength. it takes humility. It takes turning the other cheek.
How can this happen? Who in the bible has done this?
King David
There is a difference in passing over an offense and having delayed forgiveness, although that is a beneficial act as well.
It’s always better to be the son who obeyed his father, rather than saying he would but didn’t.
King David was able to love and respect and care for Saul even though Saul wanted David dead.
For some reason, I cannot think of any other characters in the bible
who let things go to the same extent as King David. Maybe you can.
It is what God is asking of us. All of us, no matter what the offense is.
Stay away from any sort of strife. It’s easy to spot if you keep your spiritual eyes peeled.
God will show you and God will help you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8
God wants to bless us and He wants to use us to bless others, even those who offend us.
So, don’t add fuel to the fire. Let it go out. Let it die down. Don’t be a participant.