Forgive and Move On!

Has anyone ever, out of the blue, said some hateful things about you or your family? You wondered, “Where did that come from? Why are they targeting me? I have nothing against them.” It can be confusing and baffling when we are suddenly attacked like this. But it's important to understand this is the devil’s strategy to distract us from our anointed mission in life.  When we’re walking in God’s will and doing what He’s called us to do expect attacks from the enemy. Whether it’s a co-worker, so-called close friend or even another brother or sister in Christ, slander and backstabbing is going to happen. It’s part of spiritual warfare. We need to prepare for those attacks in the quiet times so that when turbulence begins we're not thrown off course, surprised and disoriented, and get in the flesh and lash out. The enemy will use people to say awful things about us in an attempt to bring confusion and strife. Once we focus on the drama and not God’s word we are now vulnerable! These distractions call easily lead to offense and unforgiveness. Offense and unforgivenss are traps, a snare if you will, and now we’re fair game for the devil. What's worse is we have allowed ourselves to be victimized twice. Once from the initial attack, and second when we took the bait and got over into offense!  Don’t be that person!

Why are we shocked to hear that someone has said nasty things about us? Jesus says that’s part of the Christian walk. He said in Luke 21:16-17, “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.”

When you became a Christian you became, what the military calls, a rich target to the enemy. In times of war it's considered a highly valuable and extremely important target that needs to be taken out or destroyed. Satan knows that if you live to your spiritual potential you can bring some serious damage to the kingdom of darkness. That's why he targets us. So get over yourself!  It’s not about you anyways!  It’s about winning the lost for Christ and changing lives for the Kingdom of God!  Have you suffered to the point of death?  Probably not.  Yes, it hurts when family or friends slander our name or deeply hurts us.  But there's good news!   Jesus calls this type of drama, a blessing! No, this is not a typo. Even more He tells us to REJOICE when this happens!  What, you may be saying. Now just hold on. Just pick up your jaw and read on.  Jesus said in Luke 6:22-23 says, “Blessed are ye, 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: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

When people are nasty to us, we can rejoice because we have a major heavenly reward credited to our account!  Instead of fighting back in the flesh, counter attack ugly with love. Here’s how Jesus says we should handle it.  Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you...”  This is not a suggestion either!  We are commanded to BLESS and PRAY for our enemies.  When we are tempted to go against the word of God we have to say to ourselves, “Flesh shut up! I’m going to bless that person and pray that God gives them the desires of their heart!”  At first this may seem difficult to do, but in order to remain in the blessing flow we must continue to walk in love!   Remember the enemy’s job is to get us off the love walk so he can have access to our lives.  Once he has access his only objective is to steal, kill and destroy our individual callings (see John 10:10).  But Jesus’ objective is to give us abundant life and not strife!

Brothers and sisters, when offense comes we have a choice. We can either choose life, which includes forgiveness, reconciliation and God’s peace or we can choose death, which can lead to toxic relationships, bitterness, strife, disease (dis ease) and every evil work (James 3:16).  Let's decide before hand to pass the test and choose life and move on.  Remember, God don’t bless ugly!