Vindication

Has your character ever been called into question? Mine has.

I think when you’re lost and you don’t know who you are, your choices are naturally questionable. I’m a CPA – which carries a strict ethics code that I feel applies to my whole life and not just my work. (Who trusts a CPA that is unethical in life but promises to be ethical in work? It’s not exactly believable.) It’s almost like God knew I’d be a stubborn case and found a way to create boundaries until the Holy Spirit could straighten me out. I’ve not been secret about my struggles with finding my identity in everything but Christ. For a long time, everything I believed about myself was directly tied to how successful I could be in my career or as a parent.

But now, at the height of knowing who I am in Christ and who I am in the world, my character is under attack – not just professionally but personally, too. The claims are unjustifiable and, in most cases, complete fiction, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt a little…especially when it comes from someone you know, or someone you love, and definitely if it’s someone you know knows better. Let me be clear – I am under no pretense about who the real enemy is here. The key point above is that I’m at the height of knowing who I am in Christ; it’s not a guess. It’s not a platitude. It’s unshakeable assurance of who I am as a Child of God – and the real enemy can’t stand it.

It’s important that Christians not only understand and acknowledge their weaknesses or limits, but also guard against their exploitation vigilantly. The enemy knows that work has been an important part of my life. He also knows I wanted nothing more than to raise a child that didn’t have to choose God, God was just a part of his life; if you think he won’t use those desires to capitalize on an attack, you don’t know who you’re really dealing with.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. – 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

It’s important that you understand spiritual warfare is a real thing. You have to know who your enemy is, and it’s not the person he’s using as a puppet. Are you fighting with your spouse? Your spouse isn’t the enemy. Is your kid fighting you at every turn? Your kid isn’t the enemy. Is a business partner tearing down your character? Your partner isn’t the enemy. It’s really kind of sad – those you care about are simply puppets, carrying out the real enemy’s plan of destruction.

And you’re not immune; he can use you too if you aren’t careful. That’s why the Bible warns of becoming a stumbling block for other Christians.

Look, I’m not giving cart blanche for people’s behavior. Of course, they have a choice and a responsibility to act wisely – and some people just have motivations that are bad. But you’ve got to look further than the surface situation as you navigate through this world. The spiritual realm has more influence than we tend to give it credit for…and you have to be on guard against it.

So what do you do? God has a history of two things:

1)      Using weakness to carry out his purpose.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10

2)      Vindicating his children. “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord. – Isaiah 54:17

You don’t have to fight your own battles. The Lord has gone before you (Deuteronomy 31:8) and you walk in victory (1 John 5:4). Stay true to who you are. Stay close to God through the Word so that you will know what is right by his standards. Walk forward with purpose and confidence, because the Great Protector is your Father.