Tuesday // 3rd September 2024
Never hurt God’s people!
But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:6 NLT
Countless ministers have inflicted pain on the Lord’s sheep while trying to advance their own ministries. They not only defend themselves when under attack (perceived or real), but they seek to sever the heads of their detractors and “slaughter the villains.” Such fleshly reactions prove that they don’t know the ways of God. Perhaps they know them in their minds but not in their hearts.
Hurting God’s people is often more subtle. It is observed that there are some incredibly gifted men who have hurt the Lord’s people by insulting individuals privately and publicly when they felt threatened by them. Threatening people when they believed their reputation was at stake or they wanted to take full credit for something. Masking hatred with sarcasm and ridicule with humor. Correcting a believer in an ungracious way. Using people to advance their own ministries. Such things wound the Lord’s people and devastate them at worst.
The result is a long trail of damaged souls, lost friendships, broken relationships and no genuine gospel. Let us obtain the grace to eliminate this evil from amongst us.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin