A couple of years ago one of the cable channels carried a program entitled “When Animals Attack”. It was a documentary with graphic video and detailed reports about animal attacking humans. One of the interesting facts I remember about that program was this: The severity of the attack, in most cases, was greatly affected by the response of the victim to the animal. There is a lesson we can learn from this documentary about the importance of responding correctly to the personal attacks we will experience as we follow Christ. I'm not saying that our response to attacking people should be the same as our response to an attacking animal. If that were the case, we'd probably have a lot of dead critics around us! But it is important that we understand how to appropriately respond when people attack. Like the attacks of animals, I believe the severity of the attacks of others are greatly affected by our response to them.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been taking our congregation thru a study of James. One thing James really hammers in his epistle is the issue of our over inflated egos and self-centered attitudes. Most of the issues he addresses could be practically eliminated from our lives if we learned to practice humility and would put into practice what Paul’s instruction not to think of ourselves more highly than we should (Romans 12:3) Unfortunately most of us struggle with doing that on a consistent basis. As a result, whenever we are attacked by our enemies, our critics and those who seem like they’ve been commissioned by Satan to wreck our lives, our natural response won't usually be to react in a way that is humble and Christ-like. Most of us will fly off half-cocked and want to punch the person in the mouth. But when we do, we're most likely increasing the severity and effectiveness of Satan's ploy against us.
Understand something: if you are a believer and you're making a difference in the world for the cause of Christ, you’re going to be attacked. Satan will do whatever he can do to take your attention, your energy and your efforts away from the mission God has for you. He will arrange for and cause diversionary attacks in your life at your weakest points to try and draw you away from God’s purpose for your life. How does he attack us? The attacks will most likely come in the form of whispered gossip, talking behind your back, bad-mouthing your character, and sometimes even open, hostile, verbal attacks in public. Quite frankly, I think the only way a believer can avoid these attacks is to go live in a cave and cease all interaction with other humans. But that’s a ridiculous thought. None of us wants to be a cave dweller! I know I don’t want to live in a place with no electricity and never have interaction with other people. How could I watch the Greenbay Packers in a place like that? I'd go absolutely nuts without ESPN and the Outdoor Channel! So, if living in a cave isn't an option, how can we survive when people attack? What should be our response to those who stand against us? How can we continue in the purpose to which we have been called when we’re being criticized, opposed, called names and attacked by those around us? Should we take picket signs and hit the streets, defaming the name of those who attack us? - "No. I don't think so." Should we boycott their goods and services or take out ads in the paper warning people to stay away from them? - (That's also probably not the best approach!"
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been taking our congregation thru a study of James. One thing James really hammers in his epistle is the issue of our over inflated egos and self-centered attitudes. Most of the issues he addresses could be practically eliminated from our lives if we learned to practice humility and would put into practice what Paul’s instruction not to think of ourselves more highly than we should (Romans 12:3) Unfortunately most of us struggle with doing that on a consistent basis. As a result, whenever we are attacked by our enemies, our critics and those who seem like they’ve been commissioned by Satan to wreck our lives, our natural response won't usually be to react in a way that is humble and Christ-like. Most of us will fly off half-cocked and want to punch the person in the mouth. But when we do, we're most likely increasing the severity and effectiveness of Satan's ploy against us.
Understand something: if you are a believer and you're making a difference in the world for the cause of Christ, you’re going to be attacked. Satan will do whatever he can do to take your attention, your energy and your efforts away from the mission God has for you. He will arrange for and cause diversionary attacks in your life at your weakest points to try and draw you away from God’s purpose for your life. How does he attack us? The attacks will most likely come in the form of whispered gossip, talking behind your back, bad-mouthing your character, and sometimes even open, hostile, verbal attacks in public. Quite frankly, I think the only way a believer can avoid these attacks is to go live in a cave and cease all interaction with other humans. But that’s a ridiculous thought. None of us wants to be a cave dweller! I know I don’t want to live in a place with no electricity and never have interaction with other people. How could I watch the Greenbay Packers in a place like that? I'd go absolutely nuts without ESPN and the Outdoor Channel! So, if living in a cave isn't an option, how can we survive when people attack? What should be our response to those who stand against us? How can we continue in the purpose to which we have been called when we’re being criticized, opposed, called names and attacked by those around us? Should we take picket signs and hit the streets, defaming the name of those who attack us? - "No. I don't think so." Should we boycott their goods and services or take out ads in the paper warning people to stay away from them? - (That's also probably not the best approach!"
I do think, however, that we can learn a lesson from the life of David about what to do. David was a man who was very familiar with the attacks of others. You may recall the story about the time the Israelites were at war with the Philistines in the Elah Valley. Every morning, a giant named Goliath would walk out and challenge the Israelites for someone to come out and fight him. One day young David was delivering supplies to his older brothers who were serving in the Israeli army. He wasn't yet old enough to be in the army. As he walked into the valley, he heard the Giant's booming voice, defying the army of Israel. David was immediately riled and ready to go fight this 'overgrown oaf'. In fact, he immediately volunteered to go take this giant down. He reminds me of one of my brothers who was always ready to fight the bully. In fact, he may have sometimes been too brave for his own good, but he knew he always had a couple of older brothers who would stand up for him if necessary. But David's cockiness wasn’t received very warmly by his brothers. The Bible tells us that “David's oldest brother Eliab listened as he spoke to the men, and became angry with him. "Why did you come down here?" he asked. "Who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your arrogance and your evil heart—you came down to see the battle!"”. (1Samuel 17:29-30) Look at how Eliab attacked David. This is the anatomy of an attack. First of all, Eliab was more concerned with the sheep than he was with slaying the giant. He was more focused on the minor things David wasn’t doing than on the amazing thing he was getting ready to do. Eliab, like most people who verbally attack us and cut us down, was too caught up in the insignificant things in David’s life to see the significant work God was getting ready to doing in and thru him. Notice also that Eliab attacked David personally. He attacked his motivation and character. He accused him of being arrogant and having an evil heart. I’ve discovered that as the tactic of our enemy when we’re pursuing the mission of God. Somehow Satan manipulates people who will come against us personally and attack our character and our motive. His attacks are never constructive, they’re destructive. Notice that David was doing a little free market research about the salary and benefits package for serving the King – specifically as it pertained to knocking off this giant. He was asking questions to everyone who would listen when big brother Eliab approached him and started trying to belittle him in front of the other soldiers. I imagine Eliab’s words may have been more akin to an attitude like: “Well, well, well… what do we have here? What up punk? Don't you think you ought to be out in your little field watching the 2 or 3 sheep our father has told you to tend? You have no business here you little conceited, arrogant, pip squeak! All you want to do is come watch… You’ve gotta be kidding me! You’re asking questions about the reward for killing this giant?”
Now David could have easily got drawn into the fray. He could have started stammering and stuttering. He could have tried to justify why he was there. He could have tried to convince Eliab that someone responsible was watching the sheep. He could have told Eliab to take a “Chill Pill”. But he didn’t do any of those things. What did he do? He ignored Eliab!
1 Samuel 17:30 says that after David heard the berating remarks from his brother, he “…turned from him toward another and said the same thing.” In other words, he ‘dissed’ Eliab and moved on with what he was doing. He kept asking questions that would prepare him for the mission that God was calling him to do. David’s actions spoke louder than any debate he might have initiated with Eliab. He was essentially saying, “Eliab, I’m not listening to your garbage nor will I respond. I’ve got more important things to do here!” David didn’t get into a fight. He simply turned away. He ignored Eliab and his disapproving words. And he got on with the mission to which he was called.
Folks, that’s the best response we can give when people attack. The harsh critics will be with us through out our lives. We must learn to turn away from their verbal assaults and remain focused on what God has called us to do. Recognize that Satan’s strategy is to divert our attention away from God’s purpose. And many of us get caught up in that garbage… I must admit that I do sometimes! And every time I do, it’s because I’ve taken my eyes off of Christ’s mission for me and focused on myself and how I’ve been offended and hurt. I’ve allowed the other person to bruise my ego and then allowed my bruised ego to knock me on my back. But the more effective response to your critics and opposition – although it’s not the easiest way – is to turn away & continue on the path God has charted for our lives. Remain focused on the mission at hand… Don’t get caught up trying to defeat the strategy of Satan – just recognize it for what it is, turn away from the fray, and turn back to the task that lies ahead – the plan of God. The motto for an Army Unit with which I served was “To the Task, Sir!” That’s a good response to God when Satan tries to divert us from the mission. Look back to the cross and respond with, “To the Task, Sir!” Ignore the attacks and drive on, soldier!
Now David could have easily got drawn into the fray. He could have started stammering and stuttering. He could have tried to justify why he was there. He could have tried to convince Eliab that someone responsible was watching the sheep. He could have told Eliab to take a “Chill Pill”. But he didn’t do any of those things. What did he do? He ignored Eliab!
1 Samuel 17:30 says that after David heard the berating remarks from his brother, he “…turned from him toward another and said the same thing.” In other words, he ‘dissed’ Eliab and moved on with what he was doing. He kept asking questions that would prepare him for the mission that God was calling him to do. David’s actions spoke louder than any debate he might have initiated with Eliab. He was essentially saying, “Eliab, I’m not listening to your garbage nor will I respond. I’ve got more important things to do here!” David didn’t get into a fight. He simply turned away. He ignored Eliab and his disapproving words. And he got on with the mission to which he was called.
Folks, that’s the best response we can give when people attack. The harsh critics will be with us through out our lives. We must learn to turn away from their verbal assaults and remain focused on what God has called us to do. Recognize that Satan’s strategy is to divert our attention away from God’s purpose. And many of us get caught up in that garbage… I must admit that I do sometimes! And every time I do, it’s because I’ve taken my eyes off of Christ’s mission for me and focused on myself and how I’ve been offended and hurt. I’ve allowed the other person to bruise my ego and then allowed my bruised ego to knock me on my back. But the more effective response to your critics and opposition – although it’s not the easiest way – is to turn away & continue on the path God has charted for our lives. Remain focused on the mission at hand… Don’t get caught up trying to defeat the strategy of Satan – just recognize it for what it is, turn away from the fray, and turn back to the task that lies ahead – the plan of God. The motto for an Army Unit with which I served was “To the Task, Sir!” That’s a good response to God when Satan tries to divert us from the mission. Look back to the cross and respond with, “To the Task, Sir!” Ignore the attacks and drive on, soldier!
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