Love you all, praying for you!
Has anyone ever asked you this question... What is your biggest fear? STOP – don’t even think about that question! Let’s take a sidebar here - There is wisdom and foolishness that require discernment. First, you must know who you are. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, and you have committed to Him as your LORD, you are purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, you belong to Him, you have been redeemed from every sin and every fear, your name is written the Lamb’s book of life, you are set free from the power of sin, death, and the grave. The One who lives in you is the Supreme Authority in the Universe, over every existing thing! God has placed everything under His feet, and He dwells in you! Now that you remember who you are. Let’s get back to the topic. There is something you need to discern. Do not answer every question asked of you. Questions are optional, not mandatory. If God asks you a question you better answer, but if it’s someone else asking you, ask God what and how to answer. Just because someone asks you something, doesn’t mean you have to answer it. Many questions are not legitimate questions. Some questions will enslave your thinking – merely by the consideration of them. Why do you hate me so much? This is a foolish question, and a false question. You have never hated that person, but their insecurity, or their controlling spirit, is trying to manipulate you. Your position in Christ – makes you no longer subject to the control of others. Whenever you hear a question. Do not let your mind be engaged in the track or ditch of it. First ask yourself is this a legitimate or accurate question? God, should I even answer this? or what should the question be? For those questions that are illegitimate – take the authority of Christ within you – and don’t answer, or if He leads you - rephrase them. That is your privilege and responsibility in Christ. You don’t have to be rude. “That’s the wrong question” might cause someone to feel you are opposing them. You might more adeptly say, “I think a better question might be….” Or… I’ve never really thought about that… what about you? Or if you want to engage them… “I like to think of it this way…” Let’s go back to the 2nd foolish question. If someone asks you a question that mis-characterizes you or your intention, don’t let it stand. Merely by giving an answer before correcting the assumption of the question gives the false assumption or false accusation legitimacy. Why do that? The person who asks the question is sometimes intentionally or unintentionally trying to control or manipulate you. Don’t let them. If someone asks a mentally weak or needy question like “Why do you hate me so much?” The natural reaction might be “Oh, I don’t hate you Susie…” Don’t fall for it. Some questions are unanswerable, and others do not deserve the dignity of an answer. You can either redirect or rephrase the question, or sometimes its best to just take it head on. Rather than answer a clearly judgmental question, take back control of the conversation. Susie, have I done something to hurt your feelings? Or you can even soften it immediately with “Would you be willing to share it with me? But you do not have to answer questions just because someone asks you. God has released you from the power of sin in your life, and the power of the enemy who controlled you. Don’t let anyone else control you either. Regarding the first question. What do you fear the most? This person may be legitimately curious – with innocuous motive, no harm or accusation intended. But you still don’t have to answer it. What do you fear the most? God! That’s all I really fear. God said “Fear not,” so I’m learning to fear not! 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. Perhaps a better question might be… What fears most often try to come on you? That is a true question, not a false or manipulative question. It’s framed in a truthful reality, not an ignorant supposition. Well sometimes fear of death tries to come on me – but I don’t let it. God promised Proverbs 14:22 - Even in death the righteous have a refuge.” And Jesus makes us righteous. Jesus said whoever believes in me will never die, but have everlasting life. So when that fear tries to come on me. I just reject it with God’s Word. How about you – do any fears try to come on you? When choosing not to answer, by asking them a question, or by answering in the way you choose to – in a way that shapes the question and answer by the truth of God’s Word, you can also tie the ribbon in a bow at the end, with a kind question for them. (By the way - See PRISM Topic - Fear Not - for the overcoming truth of God. Remember, even questions can be true or false. Don’t let people control you, not even with questions. The Holy Spirit is the One who leads you, not other people. You can ask a question to regain control, and buy yourself time to seek the Holy Spirit about the right way to answer. God said both the plans of the heart and the reply of the tongue come from the Lord. - Psalms 16:1 Or you can rephrase... to shape the question or conversation in truth. “A better question might be… xyz” or “I kinda like to think of it this way… and rephrase the question. Or Ask a Question of them, that hits at the root issue of why they asked the question in the first place. Many people think that letting yourself be manipulated is somehow being humble. False. Not true. Jesus was humble above anyone else - ever. But He was never manipulated. He took authority in His Father’s Name, so we can take authority in Jesus’ Name. Matthew 10:16 – Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Praying that God will give you wisdom and discernment to engage people in an environment framed with truth, so the kindness of the Lord that leads people to repentance would be clearly seen and felt by them. You can still love people without answering all their questions. The Holy Spirit will lead you. He promised to be your Comforter – to come alongside you, to lead you into all truth. Discernment comes from Him, just ask Him for it. And stay in PRISM every day! It’s how you gain wisdom! The Holy Spirit wants to prepare you for these conversations in advance. Jesus the Word of God, is the source of all wisdom. Praying that you will know the love and the authority of Jesus who reigns in this life, who lives in you, and loves others, so you will speak the truth in love – and reach many with the love of Christ. Love you all, dad
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