We struggle so with how to handle certain situations. I have come to understand that Christ does desire freedom. We are to love fully while setting healthy boundaries. It is okay to say no and okay to refrain from situations no longer healthy for you and I. We actually are called to hold one another accountable…yet many of us silently allow sin, because we think it is the Christian thing to do. Sadly, often we are even counseled to do so. Yet it hinders growth for all. Christ always requires repentance from us…when we sin. Then comes reconciliation. Isn’t this true? Is there reconciliation to God without repentance of sin? There is not.
No one has the opportunity to change for their better if we enable behavior not of the Lord. Whether it is between us and God, our daily relationships, our marriages,etc. Godly sorrow, repentance, leads to reconciliation. If there is a relationship without authentic repentance…it will likely remain a broken one.Christ gives us a clear protocol in His Word on how to handle our relationships…go to the brother…take a witness…go before the church. How often do we really see this followed? Maybe it’s why we have little accountability in the church anymore. It seems everything goes.
I have been meeting people everywhere I go so hurt and in pain from even the body of Christ. They feel used, abused, and cast out. Many times because they are mercy hearts who were either trying to help someone or they ended up enabling behavior that allowed a constant taking advantage of by others. The Bible does no condone or approve of us using one another for our own gain while not caring for each other as brothers and sisters. Many tell me when their storms came that were devastating few were found. The ones they loved and helped whenever the need arose…were gone. He does not condone abuse in any form and require us to stay under it. I believe His heart aches at the way we handle one another. While murder, adultery, and other blatant sins are clear to us, we likely miss the hidden heart sins that cause our brothers and sisters to hurt. Do we care for each other? Do we manipulate one another to weave our way into an elevation rather than waiting upon God to “show us forth.” I see much usury in the body of Christ. We must be so careful here…..it is not the way of Christ. I have fallen to this temptation before as a music artist. However, I’ve learned Christ wants authentic relationships who honor and admire one another and who respect the gifts Christ has placed in us. He loves us to lift one another up..but only as He makes the way. I have asked the Lord so much to put His finger on my heart should I use people only for what they can give me…instead of loving them simply for who they are and asking God to help me see to their very need. Do I use people and what they have to offer in order to get me where I want to be? Do I offer myself to others when they are in need or only contact them when I want something from them? I so desire pure motives of the heart..yet our heart is so deceptive isn’t it?…we easily are deceived even to the point of rationalizing our behaviors. Likewise, the mercy hearts are abused over and over by those knowing they have giving hearts who desire to serve Jesus purely. The hardest thing for mercy hearts to do is to say no. Not every request is from the Lord, not every offer should be taken, not every motive is pure…often Satan is wrapped up in the details and will use your own gentle heart against you.
You and I will have to get good at discerning the spirits or we will be used up in a way that will hinder the calling God has placed on our lives. Set healthy boundaries. Love and help people but with the eye of God leading you and when He shows you a heart issue, or a hidden agenda and motive, do not fear having strong boundaries. Sometimes it’s simply that you are not called into a certain relationship…and that’s okay! Christ did not allow everyone to do as they pleased. He adhered to that which the Father called Him to do. He was sent for a specific assignment and so are we. So be careful not to take on anyone else’s assignment…it could cost you greatly. If you and I do not become strong in our convictions, as well as protecting the visions Christ placed within us….His plan will be delayed or even thwarted due to our inability to give truth in love with a firmness that is confident in Christ. Be cautious of manipulation, false guilt, and even false humility. Christ wants us secure in who we are in Him and who He has called us to be! Humility and meekness do not mean you allow abuse or controlling spirits to steer you…for if you do…the enemy will succeed in steering you away from that which Christ has called you to…..so pray through and always be on guard…for the devil is prowling around to see whom he can devour…
The heart is deceptive you know
For it wants to stay when it should go.
The devil can give it a nudge
In ways that Christ never does.
O Satan will use it on you
And soon you’ll be wrapped in rebellion too
Abused and mistreated you’ll be
In the name of Christ…don’t you see?
For Christ is all about truth
Ole’ Satan will distort it on you
He’ll make you think never to refuse
Not discerning the spirits against you.
He’ll love the heart into false guilt
False humility and also false will
He’ll bet your discernment is lax
And you’ll choose his version of grace with cracks.
See Christ calls us to see through
Manipulation and sinister views
When all seems safe and no harm
You’d better be careful of Satan’s charm.
He’ll tie you up in a tight ball
A web really it is after all
Your goodness he’ll use against you
He’ll send secret servants to use you.
Christ never intended your misuse
To be taken advantage, used, or abused
So test every spirit of man
That Satan has not your heart in his hand.
July 11, 2016
