“A Prophetic Word” Day 53: Don’t be driven and tossed by the opinions of others.

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV

It’s interesting to watch an old-fashioned pinball machine work: As a flapper is engaged, it hits the ball, sending it bouncing around the machine. The eager player hopes that the ball will hit the high point areas, and avoid going down into the machine, ending that turn.

Now, what does a pinball machine have to do with us? You see, the pinball has no inner direction, its movement is strictly determined by where it is hit and how it bounces off, after being propelled. Sadly, that is the way many people live their lives. That is to say, the prevailing force in their life that determines their behavior, attitudes, etc., is what happens to them, their circumstances.

Obviously, no one should live their lives as a human pinball. There must be an inner driving, directing, force, determining where a person goes and what they do. Otherwise, the person becomes a hapless product of their circumstances, past experiences, etc.

Indeed, as followers of Christ, we cannot, we must not, live our lives as human pinballs. And for the Christian, the inner driving force must be the Holy Spirit of God. It isn’t that our own renewed spirit has no volition in what we do or say or think. But the Holy Spirit of God becomes the Force that informs our actions and thoughts. As well, the Holy Spirit gives us both the will to do what we should, and the ability to do what we should.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:12-13 ESV

Of course, we must also be grounded in the Word of God, knowing what the Word says, and aligning our lives to it.

Yes, there are many opinions around us. People feel very strongly about certain things and this can lead to much controversy, contradiction, and confusion. In allowing ourself to be directed by the Holy Spirit, we will also find that we don’t have to argue with everybody about everything. Understand, this does not mean that we do not express our convictions. However, the straightforward expressing of our convictions should suffice without feeling compelled to engage in endless arguments with people who are not seeking understanding, but only seeking to foist their opinion or personal agenda on others. If something is not consistent with the Word and the Spirit of God, we should be able to know that, and feel free to acknowledge that. But we should not feel compelled to defend the Word of God. The Word of God can defend itself. All the Lord wants from us is that His word is in our mouths and in our hearts, and is demonstrated in our living. Indeed, we should not be intimidated, or allow ourselves to be moved from our own steadfastness by the opinions of others.

Child of God, you can be at peace today if you know that you have submitted all that you do to the Lord and that it is His Spirit directing you, not the opinions, actions, or intimidation tactics of others!

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

James 1:6-8 ESV

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!