“Well, I had no choice. I had to do something. I would have said nothing, but when she blasted me out of the water for something I never did, then tough! She had it coming to her. A person can only take so much and then its time to strike back and set the record straight. That’s all I did.”
How I REact to the actions of others is critical. Yes, they were in the wrong. Their action was wrong. But I am NOT responsible for their ‘action.’ What I am responsible for is my REaction. Someone’s wrong action is not justification for my wrong REaction. King David was a Godly man – a man after God’s own heart. (1Samuel 13:14). But unlike Christ, David was not perfect. In 2 Samuel 24:1, there is no question about it – the Lord was angry with the people of Israel. The cause is obscure, but for sure, God had a reason for being angry with the people. Their actions were definitely wrong and displeasing to the Lord. But how King David REacted to the situation was wrong too. In David’s state of mind as he mulled things over, it seems Satan whispered in his ear: “Number the people; count your soldiers – see how big your army is, and how much muscle Israel has.” The logic behind the King’s REaction in relation to the sin of the people may not be crystal clear to us – but for sure it was a REaction. And David’s REaction was extremely offensive to God. Even Joab and other military officials advised the King that his REaction was wrong. Joab, not noted for his spiritual insights even advised the King that his REaction was wrong.
“And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see [it]: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host.” (2 Samuel 24:3-4)
King David wouldn’t back off – he demanded that the people be numbered. It took them almost 10 months to complete the census and when the numbers were presented to David the Bible says: “And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people.” (2 Samuel 24:10) As a result of David’s REaction and sin, judgment fell.
Has someone acted wrongly toward you in some way? Did someone hurt you, scold you, or lose their temper at you? Did someone spread gossip about you? Have you been falsely accused or cheated out of something? Have some christians caused you grief? Has their unspiritual behaviour or lifestyle upset you? Did some impatient driver cut you off? Shame!
They should not have done that – but how did you respond? REact? Their actions may be dead wrong but I am not responsible for their actions. I AM responsible to the Lord for my REactions. At the Judgment Seat of Christ I will not answer to the Lord for the actions of others. I will answer for my own actions and REactions.
May the Lord give each of us grace and wisdom to REact to things this week, as Christ would want us to REact. May our REactions be Christ-like, i.e. love, joy, peace; patience towards others, kindness, benevolence; good faith, meekness, and self-restraint. (Galatians 5:22-23) The Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:15 (Amplified): “But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living” and we could add: “in all circumstances and in all situations – when you’re with christians or by yourself.”