We live in an abusive world. We are consumed with abusive language; thoughts; sights; hearts and actions towards others. We are not going to escape abuse. However, there is a difference in which abuse we will be willing to accept.
When we are without GOD void of love; kindness and mercy the abuse we hurl towards each other and ourselves are evident.
Wrongly or improperly misuse of authority; treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way; speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about. To commit sexual assault on another or self *(self = masturbation); to deceive or mislead; harsh or coarse insulting language.
This is the action abuse that we walk away from once we come into the full knowledge of JESUS; yet we will become victims of abuse because of our love and stand for righteousness in and of JESUS.
Let’s view and think about a few scriptures; let’s see how we fit and what we will do to leave or accept abuse from now on. I will provide definitions to words because we miss the mark by not understanding vocabulary. I will keep it simple.
“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation” Mark 3:28-29
Blaspheme = speak evil; to slander another person’s character.
We do this daily don’t we? We think that it’s some super duper bad thing that we try to stay away from when it comes to the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Though it is; how do you plan to stay away from doing this when it comes to the Holy Spirit when you can’t stop with people and yourself? The best thing to hope for is this; that you’ve never spoken about the Holy Spirit at all because this is such a serious crime. It’s so serious that most non-believers know enough in their hearts not to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. The problem is they don’t know what blaspheme is. This is why the question is so important. Have I blasphemed the Holy Spirit? I say and I’m not GOD so don’t live by what I’m going to write but I hope that if anyone has done this terrible thing that we were so very ignorant that when we do come to GOD for forgiveness we will be forgiven just once. I want to believe that GOD will give those who are truly repentant of this sin a onetime only free pass. Notice how clear this rule is; all sins will be forgiven even the blasphemies spoken.
However; anyone who speaks evil of or slanders the character of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven but condemned. This is harsh! So this is why I’m hoping even if I’m wrong that GOD will give us a onetime free pass when we are truly repentant if we have done this unforgivable crime. I would think that if HE really did not; if HE really could care less; if HE really has no love or mercy towards us that we might as well chuck it all and forget about ever getting into heaven and living a life on earth full of the promises HE has given us. Because we are on death row and the destination is hell.
Let’s take a look at what Saul/Paul did before he came into the knowledge of JESUS.
For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. Gal. 1:13
Saul was an abuser. He persecuted; CHRISTians so greatly that he tried to destroy the church that is truly within the heart of man. Saul tried to destroy the faith of man. Saul used every definition known to man to accomplish his goal.
Persecute = to pursue with harassing treatment; to annoy or trouble persistently.
Destroy = to reduce to useless fragments, form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate. Extinguish; kill; render ineffective; nullify; invalidate or defeat.
Saul found out that he could not complete his abuse and he found himself being abused as Paul because he accepted JESUS.
Man is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, constant friction useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Tim. 6:4-5
Reviling = loud; noisy
Wrangling = argumentative
It amazes me when I’m out and about how the most ignorant [lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned. Lacking of knowledge; information of a particular subject or fact; uninformed; unaware.]
People have so much to say. They don’t know what they are talking about because most to all of the information that they are trying to convince another of is inaccurate. The less they know the louder they are. If you don’t agree with what is being said then an argument begins. This is abuse of the mind; no brain should be void of vital information; read. This is abuse to the ears; all this garbage is being placed in the hearing. This is abuse to the mouth; want to know who a person is; listen to a person speak.
Moses, a Hebrew born into slavery; hid from death by his parents; found by royalty; lived a royal life; well educated. Decided to walk away from the palace and put on slavery which brings abuse. He also accepted another abuse because of his faith in the true and living GOD.
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reviling because of reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Heb.11:25-26
Would you be willing to do this? Are you willing to walk away from what you are experiencing in your life to suffer the abuse all true CHRISTians suffer?
Therefore let us go forth to HIM, outside the camp, bearing HIS reproach. Heb. 13:13
Reproach = find fault, to discredit; disapproval; disgrace.
Are you willing to go forward to JESUS knowing that in the sight of people you will be disgraced because of JESUS and your faith?
If you are insulted or reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part HE is blasphemed, but on your part HE is glorified. 1 Peter 4:14
I find this to be a comfort because I’m blessed due to JESUS being glorified because of my faith in HIM.
Hopefully the recognition of abuse of man towards self and others has been made clear; why it’s done and how it’s done. Now you know that abuse is not one dimensional; stop believing that abuse is only in the concept of child abuse or domestic abuse. Take notice of abuse from all around us and how you play apart.
Are you ready to accept the abuse CHRISTians endure for JESUS?