TooManyHypoctites

Written 10/18/2002

Read Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Have you ever heard this statement: I don’t go to church because there are two many hypocrites there? I remember using it myself before I was saved. But, have you ever heard it from the lips of a brother or sister in Christ? I have, and from a family member. I won’t go into the whole conversation, simply because I don’t recall all of it. But my reply to my loved one was something like this: You are the hypocrite, because you claim to be a Christian and don’t even go to church. Well, not much was said after that, what could be?

(v.19a) A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.

When one of God's children is hurt spiritually, it sometimes is a long rough road leading them back to Christ. Their wounded pride puts up a defense barrier and encloses them in self-pity. They hide behind bars of animosity, which falsely secures their inner most being. All the while they are missing the joy, peace and love of God, and the fellowship of other believers in Christ.

(v.19b) and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Oh, that we would never be the instrument Satan uses that causes one of these to go astray! Our tongue can get us into an uncontrollable situation, especially if we believe we are right and the other person is wrong. The Bible says in Proverbs 17:27a, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words”. We are also told in the Book of James chapter 1 verse 19, to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Those that have drifted from the fold need our encouragement and gentle guidance to bring them back. May you be the conduit God uses to encourage a fallen brother and bring them back into the fellowship of worshiping with other believers.

Dear Heavenly Father, there are many hurting in the Body of Christ, who have left the arms of safety and gone astray. Bitterness keeps them from enjoying the fellowship of other Christians, and they no longer have the joy of the Lord in their life. Father, if there is anything I have done to cause a fellow Believer to stray, I pray the Holy Spirit would reveal this to me. Use me in helping those who are spiritually injured, to show them the way Home, through the forgiveness and love of God. Help me not to judge their heart or reasoning, lest I also fall. For I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.