Wounded (Christian) Soldiers (part 2)

In part one of ‘Wounded (Christian) Soldiers’ I stated that it was basically inevitable to end up wounded at some stage if you stand up for your Christian faith and stand firmly upon the whole truth of God’s Word.

Wounded either by some in the church, or by society, or both.

And that is because the world and the devil are at war with genuine Christianity. And sadly, there are many in the church who are part of the thinking and the shifting philosophies of the world.

And such people are prepared to compromise God’s Word to fit in with current world views. Even though God has stated that His Word stands forever – and that means it stands just as He said it:

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 NLT)

So, what causes a wounded Christian?

a) Our own sinful pleasures and desires:

Sometimes we basically cause and create our own wounds because our sin which separates us from living as God desires us to live. Our shame and grief for these sins of ours separates us from God’s best.

And the only cure for this kind of wounding is for us to genuinely repent of our sins and turn back to faithfully following God and His will for our lives.

When it comes to sin keep short accounts with God. Confess any sin as soon as it takes hold. (See the prayer at the end of this blog)

b) Unintentional words and actions against us by those in the church:

Sometimes those words or actions by others against us are unintentional – but they wound us none-the-less. Here our only Biblical option is to forgive those who wounded us.

Forgive, and do not let any bitterness or hatred rise up inside us. Bitterness and hatred will only fester the wounds we have experienced.

Someone once said: “Holding on to bitterness, anger or resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die”.

When the truth is that holding on to such things will only cause our wounds to fester and lead us eventually to spiritual death in our walk with the Lord.

c) Intentional words and actions against us by those in the church:

These wounds are often caused by church leaders and denominational hierarchy; because our standing firmly on God’s Word, and doing God’s will, and our speaking out has caused us to upset the status quo.

Especially when it comes to pointing out sin or wrong doctrine being upheld, or condoned, by the leadership.

But whoever causes intentional hurt by their words or actions against us – leadership or fellow church member – once again though we must forgive them.

And once again we must not allow bitterness, anger or resentment to poison our own spirit.

If the leadership repent and commit to following the whole truths of God’s Word then as the Bible says, you have won your brother(s) or sister(s) over:

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Matthew 18:15 NIV)

However, the Bible has warned us in advance:

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine and teaching which is in agreement with godliness (personal integrity, upright behaviour), he is conceited and woefully ignorant [understanding nothing]. He has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, which produces envy, quarrels, verbal abuse, evil suspicions, and perpetual friction between men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a source of profit [a lucrative, money-making business—withdraw from them].” (1 Timothy 6:3-5 AMP)

“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.” (2 Peter 2:1-3 NLT)

If the leadership fails to repent and change any of their teaching or doctrine that goes against God’s Word then you must seek God as to whether He is calling you out of that church. However painful or sad that may seem.

Seek God’s direction and ask Him to confirm it to you from the Bible, or a word from the Holy Spirit (‘word of knowledge’, ‘word of wisdom’, or ‘prophecy’), or from trusted godly Christian friends. Two or three confirmations of what God desires you to do is best.

d) Wounds from the world:

I have a t-shirt that reads: “I Would Rather Be Biblically Correct Than Politically Correct’.

Wearing it doesn’t make me popular, believing it even less so.

Secular society in general is very anti-God.

And anyone who stands for God and what the Bible says is a target for the world’s hatred, ridicule and persecution.

I once stood as a candidate for my State government legislature, and at a public candidates’ forum I was asked how I/we could fix our problems and our nation.

I replied by quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Needless to say, I was not elected. Because obeying God’s Word is not popular with secular voting society.

If you are a genuine Christian you will get attacked. And often you will be wounded, either by the words of non-Christians or by their actions – including persecution, and sometimes even actual physical persecution like forfeiture of finances and possessions, jail, torture, or even death.

Once again, we must forgive and we must not allow bitterness, anger or resentment to poison our own spirit.

On confessing and repenting our sins and bondages:

*******************************************************

*** “ ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Stubborn habits assume a life of their own; that’s why they keep growing. They have a mind that thinks for you, a voice that speaks to you, and a power that keeps conquering you. So… what should you do? Pray and proclaim God’s Word over your habit!

God said, ‘I am watching over My word to perform it.’ (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB)

Pray: ‘Lord, Your Word says that if I call on You, You’ll answer me, that You’ll be with me in trouble, You’ll honour and deliver me (see Psalm 91:15). You promised that through the power of Your indwelling Spirit, I can be free from this vicious cycle of temptation, sin and failure (see Romans 8:2).

You said if I fully committed my life to You, I’d have the strength to resist the devil, and that he would flee from me (see James 4:7). Your Word says You’ve given me the power to pull down my old mental strongholds and take control of every wayward thought, imagination, and impulse (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).

You promised that by reading and meditating on Your Word each day, I’d become a partaker in Your divine nature and overcome the tendencies of my flesh (see 2 Peter 1:4).

You promised to strengthen me in my mind, my emotions and my will; that my self-worth would be based solely on Your love for me; that You’d do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or think—because You’re at work in me (see Ephesians 3:14–21). Today, I claim victory over this habit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.’

The word for today is: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“

This series continues in part 3

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