Pay Them Back, Pt 1 - No. 95
Sometimes when ministering to women, I ask the question, “Who has never been hurt by something someone has said to them?” No one has ever raised a hand. All of us have been victims, at some time or other, of someone else’s abuse, gossip or hurting words. In fact, it is usually those who are closest to us, even family members, who hurt us the most. Words can be like arrows that pierce the soul to wound and destroy us.
But let me tell you a secret. You don’t have to stay wounded. There is a way out. God has provided kingdom principles for us, which if we put them into operation, will work miracles for us. They will free us from hurt and bitterness and enable us to live in total victory.
What are these kingdom principles?
1. BECOME DEAF AND DUMB!
What? Yes, that’s what the Bible says. Read Psalm 38:12-15 MLB.
“They who seek my hurt talk mischief; they think up treacheries all day. But I am like a deaf man, who does not listen; like a dumb man, who does not open his mouth. Yes, I am like a man who does not hear and in whose mouth there are no arguments. For in Thee, Lord, I hope…”
a) DEAF. Oh how curious we are to find out what people are saying against us. We want to track down every little morsel. However, when we know this is happening, we must become deaf and do not even try to find out. Can you master this challenge? What you don’t know, will save you from many hurts. Someone could be saying very nasty things about you, but if you don’t know about it, you can relate to them with love and freedom, which will pour coals of fire on their wickedness.
b) DUMB. When we do hear accusations against us, we should act dumb, with no reproofs or arguments. This was Jesus’ example in the face of accusation and trial…
“But Jesus held his peace…” (Matthew 26:59-63)
“Jesus answered nothing… He answered never a word.” (Matthew 27:11-14)
“He opened not his mouth…” (Isaiah 53.7)
“When He was insulted, He did not answer back with an insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but placed His hopes in God.” (1 Peter 2:21-23)
2. REJOICE AND LEAP FOR JOY!
“BLESSED are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. REJOICE YE IN THAT DAY, AND LEAP FOR JOY: for behold your reward is great in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12)
The literal meaning for “leap for joy” is to “jump, bound and spring.” Have you ever tried jumping and leaping when someone has said unkind and untrue things about you? Try it. It actually works. It bounces all the hurt out of you! Do I hear the floorboards shaking?
3. LOVE!
“But I say unto you, love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44)
One writer says, “If a little bit of love isn’t effective, increase the dose.” The remedy for the ineffectiveness of a little love is MORE LOVE. A Chinese saying says, “Don’t try to put out the fire of a load of hay with a cup of water!’” The more you have been hurt, the more love and forgiveness you’ll need to pour on! Sometimes you’ll have to pour on buckets!
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
“Oh Lord, please help me to keep my mouth shut in the face of accusations. Take away all my arguments for I put my hope and trust in You. I thank you that you are my vindicator. Amen.”
AFFIRMATION:
I am deaf to hurtful words and dumb in the face of accusations.
We will continue with more kingdom principles next week…