BEHIND THE LIES OF OUR ENEMIES

Someone once said that we can learn so much from those who position themselves against us. I really believe that is true. Beautiful truths often lay hidden beneath the lies of our enemies. This was the case with the foes of Jesus.
When someone hates your cause, all of your actions will be slandered. All your strategies of love will be twisted and slandered by those who oppose all that you are.

Jesus was astonished at this in His generation. "to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places"[Matt 11:16 paraphrased]. They won't dance with the flute and they won't weep with the dirge. John The Baptist was the dirge and Jesus was the flute. Israel would neither weep and mourn with John when he proclaimed their need for repentance nor would they rejoice with Jesus Christ.

How shall these two be silenced? Slander.


You see, Truth itself was and is the stumbling block. The only escape for the enemies of truth is caricature and half-truth.
Preacher, when you stand up in the face of this generation, at a time when truth lies fallen in the streets, and declare the message of the Cross, you can expect opposition. When you cry out to a church that is steeped in the Madison Avenue allure of the Purpose Driven Life scheme that they need to forsake that and return to the message of the Cross, you can count on being slandered. Preacher, when you stand in your pulpit and boldly declare that a man of God ought not to be a prosperity pimp and tell your people that so many of the health and wealth gurus of today are merchandising them, you will be opposed and even hated. Truth is what is at stake..

Stand up boldly and proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. Stand boldly and call the church back to the Cross. God Himself will be your vindication. If man called you then you need to get out of the ministry. But if you are called of God, then preach it straight and true. Stand up tall in the face of all slander and opposition and preach what "Thus saith the Lord".

To be sure, some will lie about you. They have lied about me. They lied about Jesus. Many voices will attempt to speak discouragement into your life. But let me tell you; for every soul that truly gets saved because you preach the right message[Jesus Christ and Him Crucified] to them, you will know true and lasting joy.

The only concern that we should have is--"Is God pleased with what we are giving the people?"