Many of us proclaim to wear those titles..Born again and spirit filled but when faced with diversity, conflict or what we think is a attack on our character do we keep this statute or do we resort back to worldliness.
For a class assignment..I was instructed to chose people that I know to test their reaction to see how they would react if I did or said something that was totally out of character for me... It was so amazing to me how out of character each individual reacted to me..
Most accused me of being judgmental...some thought I was critizing them and I was told several times that I think them imperfect while thinking that I am so perfect.
It's funny also because a couple said they was so glad that God had given them clarity about me...but actually I think though this God gave me the real clarity about understanding other people especially Christian people.
You see the Christians had a tentacity to be unforgiving and were the one that attacked me in return..while truthfully more unsaved individuals ..attempted to be understanding and get to the bottom of why I said or did what I did.
For the most part ...If it was not for the fact that I knew exactly why I said or did the things I did ..I would truly be hurt by a lot of the things the Christians said or did in retaliation for what they took to be my true feelings etc..
For me it was a eye opener as to how truly it is a thin line between love and hate and good and evil...
Say the wrong thing or one word to some people and they will go from being your loving trusting christian friend or mate to being your worst enemy.
One thing that bothered me was several times I was told that I was wrong to test a person but the Bible clearly told us in 1 John Chapter 2 verse 1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.(now when you see Prophet you take that to mean Preacher, Teacher or Pastor right so what about the rest of us ..what applies to us .) well lets examine this farther...
The Holy Spirit of God resides within genuine believers, therefore His presence will result in "the fruit of the Spirit" being displayed in their lives (Gal.5:22-23).This is the only visible evidence by which we can discern if someone is truly saved or not and so when a person's walk does not match up with their mouth, we have be very wary of them..now for this reason i felt many reacted the way they did towards me but two wrongs don't make one right..be weary..be angry but sin not is what God instructs us to do..Don't take and use words to hurt someone who has hurt or disappointed you.
This lesson taught me the importance of first being real in your walk with God and of how to deal with your anger..and secondly if a person says or does something that causes you to be disappointed or hurt..go to that person and ask them about it rather than to just assume that that was their intent (to hurt you) because believe it or not they may unknowingly have said or done whatever they did and could have not mean to hurt you..the3 bible tells us that we should overcome evil with good ..not render evil for evil!
In the exercise..the apology had to not truly be a apology also to see if you at least tried to apologize how it would be taken if one thing was said or done that looked not to be a true apology...I can truly say that when I got to class tonight I was on fire because I had a lot that I could add to the class.
During this whole experiment there is only two people that truly don't know me and so they may stay mad and upset with me but it's OK..because it was a reality check for them as well and i hope all learned a valuable lesson about themselves.
So now I ask you the question..do you think you would pass the test..what if someone accused you of something you know you didn't do..said you said something you didn't..would you go back to acting like you did when you was unsaved or would pray first and try and allow God to show you the reason for whatever is happening or would you just ask the person without getting offended what the real problem is or would you just assume the negative?
The word says : Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them(bad spirits): because greater is he (Christ) that is in you, than he(the devil) that is in the world.
Well, I have apologized to all I included in my study and I hope one day I will be forgiven for those that was truly upset and hurt by what I did or said but it was only a test.. I have to SMH and ROFL because some of them Christians sho acted ugly!!!
Just remember this time it was me doing the testing but the next time it could be our Lord and Savior doing the testing!! So again..will you pass or fail?
God Bless You All!
E.V
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