Those Who Slander

John Paul Jackson

 

 

Sep 5, 2002

 

When being interviewed about the length of time it took to invent the light bulb and the thousand of attempts that failed, Thomas Edison was once asked if failing ever discouraged him. "I did not fail thousands of times," Edison replied. "I had thousands of successes. For each one led me closer to my eventual success."

 

Edison's response struck a chord in my heart. It has served to prod me whenever I feel that I have fallen short of what I had intended to accomplish.

 

"I Had Developed A Fear Of Failure" -- Thomas Edison

 

As a young man, I often was afraid to put much effort in trying. I could always say, "next time it will work because I didn't really try." In my childish innocence, I had developed a fear of failure. That fear kept me bound spiritually as well as in my career in business. I became like the servant who hid his talents in the ground because he knew his master was a hard taskmaster. He was afraid to risk success, because of his fear of failure. However, when his master returned and found that he had buried his talents, the master took everything away from the servant and gave it to those who had risked trying.

 

"God Does Not Judge Us For The Number Of Times We Fail In Our Attempts To Advance The Kingdom"

 

I had to understand that God does not judge us for the number of times we fail in our attempts to advance the Kingdom, but for the number of times we succeed. We will find that the number of times we succeed is usually in proportion to the number of times we try. Whether it is praying for someone to be healed, to be delivered, or for giving a prophecy -- the more we try, the greater we will succeed and the more we will become attuned to the ebb and flow of God's Holy Spirit.

 

I have also learned that God does not judge success by the position we have reached, but by the obstacles we have overcome while trying to succeed. Perhaps this is why God hates criticism of others, for in doing so, we see where they are rather than where they are going.

 

Furthermore, what if by our criticism, someone becomes so discouraged that he or she stops trying. There is a passage that I would like to share with you that reflects this line of thought:

 

"You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." Psalm 50:19-23

 

The Context Of This Text Is Speaking Of Slandering A Brother (Or Sister)

 

The context of this passage is speaking evil or slandering a brother in the Lord. In this passage, the Lord commands us to praise our brother. For it is those who speak praises of others that will be rescued by God from the enemy's attack.

 

Furthermore, the Lord says He will rebuke (vs.21) and tear to pieces (vs. 22) those who slander or speak evil of their brother. To the Christian we have slandered, the Lord simply says that He will set the person in order (vs. 21) or simply correct -- not severely chasten­ him or her. To add insult to injury, God will do it right in front of our eyes, so that we see the difference between the two treatments and thereby, be compelled to never slander our brother (or sister) again.

 

What does this have to do with our God-given destiny? Simply this, when we receive praise, it encourages us to keep trying. However, criticism disheartens and tempts us to quit. Quitting buries the talent God gave us when He created us.

 

You Are Not A "Has Been" But A "Will Be"

 

Everyone of us has a unique talent to impact someone in a way that no one else can. Remember, you do not lose, if you do not quit. You are not a "has been," you are a "will be" in your gift and calling from God. So, keep reaching forward in Jesus. Go for the GOLD!

 

Don't forget: You are a child of God. When you play as if you are small and insignificant, it doesn't serve to change the world. God desires to change the world through us, because of what Jesus did for us.

 

As children of God's marvelous light, we are born to manifest and radiate His glory. As we are liberated from our fear of failure, we will liberate others who see the change God has made in us. They, then, want what God has given us. We must shine forth God's eternal light into the darkness around us.

 

Nine Things Satan Will Try To Do

 

As you seek to fulfill your destiny in Christ, there are nine things Satan will try to do:

 

1. He will tempt you to doubt that God has given you a destiny.

 

2. He will tempt you with guilt for even desiring a destiny.

 

3. He will tempt you with jealousy, so that you criticize others and their gifts.

 

4. He will tempt you with an attitude of self-sufficiency, so that you will become isolated and not recognize your need of others.

 

5. He will tempt you with an inordinate desire to be something other than what you are.

 

6. He will tempt you to pursue things too quickly and unethically.

 

7. He will tempt you with pictures of your past, to blur your vision of your future.

 

8. He will tempt your family to focus on your history, instead of your future vision.

 

9. He will tempt you to blame others for not promoting you, instead of realizing that promotion comes from God.

 

In time, you will recognize that the area of your greatest testing will become the area of your greatest anointing. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

 

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