Are You A Craftsman Or A Complainer?
Tuesday, September 17
Zechariah 1:17-21 (NIV)
“Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’” Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns. I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these?” He answered me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.” Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. I asked, “What are these coming to do?” He answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”
Devotion
The LORD hates those who stir up dissension among brothers (Proverbs 6:19). The Holy Spirit warns believers that if we keep on biting and devouring one another, we will destroy each other (Galatians 5:15). We often think that the interests of peace and cooperation are best served when we remain silent and ignore gossip, slander, and dissension among brothers. But ignoring these sins in ourselves or others amounts to tacit approval.
The carpenter sometimes has a hammer in one hand and a weapon in the other. In Jesus, his word can be both. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29
When we see gossip, slander, and dissension coming to scatter, we can ask the LORD for His word and use it to be the craftsmen and carpenters that terrify those using the power of the tongue to scatter. Consider the Golden Rule, if someone is gossiping or slandering you behind your back, would you like a maturing believer to refuse to listen and rebuke the person speaking evil or uncharitably about you? Or would you have them remain silent, or even worse, participate?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
First, I ask Your forgiveness for the times I have remained silent when others were slandering a brother or sister in Christ, and for the times I found myself participating in stirring up dissension. I ask that You give me the wisdom and boldness to remind those who are gossiping, that slandering another is a tool that satan uses to destroy Your work within the church and family, and it is a sin for which we will be held accountable. Then soften their hearts to receive the word and be loosed from the enemy’s grasp. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Are you one who gossips when you see a brother or sister in moral failure? Do you give ear to those who slander others behind their backs? Repent today and ask God to help you overcome this sinful tactic of the enemy. May we never be the reason someone turns away from God because of the way they were treated by the brethren.
Resources
- Be encouraged to repent and rebuild your life as you listen to this message, “Sanitize Your Spirit”.
- If you need prayer, our team is standing by ready to pray with you. Submit your Prayer Request today.