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NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
September 24
WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BE DEFENSIVE
While being reviled, He [Jesus] did not revile in return; while
suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to
Him who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23).
There are two reasons why you should not be defensive when there
is a critical, negative evaluation of you.
First, if you are in the wrong, you don't have a defense. If you
are criticized for saying something which is out of order or
doing something which is wrong, and the criticism is valid, any
defensiveness on your part would be a rationalization at best and
a lie at worst. You must simply respond, "You're right; I was
wrong," then take steps to improve your character and behavior.
Second, if you are right, you don't need a defense. Peter
encouraged us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who "while
being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He
uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges
righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). If you are in the right, you don't
need to defend yourself. The Righteous Judge, who knows who you
are and what you have done, will exonerate you.
A dear lady entered my office with a well-thought-out list of
"things for me" and "things against me." I suggested that she
share the "things for me" first. That didn't take long! As she
was going through the "things against me," the part of me that is
made of earth wanted to respond to every allegation. But I
didn't. When she was finished, there was an awkward pause before
I said, "It must have taken a lot of courage to come in and share
that with me. What do you suggest I do?" She started to cry.
Nobody tears another down from a position of strength or judges
another without being judged. Judgmental people are people in
pain. If you can learn not to be defensive when someone exposes
your character defects or attacks your performance, you may have
an opportunity to turn the situation around and minister to that
person.
Lord, give me the courage not to react defensively. You are the
only defense I need, and I entrust myself to You, who judges
righteously.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
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Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.26646.2.1698058.
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