Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 3:20 pm

I read Luke 19 & 20 today, and I noticed that when questioned, Jesus responded with what people needed to hear, not necessarily what they wanted to hear. He didn't get defensive, and He didn't play their game. He spoke truth, and exposed the deeper issue behind their questioning. It seems to me like that might be a good plan nowadays as well. Do we ever stop to think about the reasons why when people attack our faith? Do we pray about it, and listen to the Holy Spirit for the right thing to say? Or do we get defensive and start trying to make excuses for God? Jesus didn't feel the need to do that, and why? Because God is not a liar or a cheat, to be found out. He is the truth, and His Word is truth. He is not a criminal, to be tried and sentenced. He is the ultimate lawgiver and judge, He is the righteous one. Isaiah 45:9 says, "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?" I'm not saying that people have never misused God's name to say and do terrible things. (God is against that, and calls it 'taking His name in vain'.) That kind of fraud can be seen in the business world too, and in the same way it makes the companies whose names are being misused look bad, but the fault lies not with the companies, but with the fraudsters. No wonder God is against people taking His name in vain.
When people throw their fists up at God, it's not a clue that God needs defending, but it is a clue that there's another issue. Whether they've been hurt by fraudulent 'Christianity', whether personal pride is in the way, whether they're looking for acceptance or just a way to justify their behaviour, or whatever the root is, we don't know but God does. It may be that if we ask God, He will reveal what He wants to say that will speak to the real issue, and perhaps bring healing, and a restoration of their relationship with Him. I don't need to win an argument, it's more important to win a heart.