Hello Everyone,
I have 2 topic questions
Ephesians 4:27
Don't give the devil any opportunity [to work].
My question is, what happens when we give foothold to the devil to work? And how can we rebuke him not to work his evil any longer if we did.
Regarding Proverbs 18:21
What happens when people around us speak death, rather than life, cursing, and speaking negatively weather it be in the workfield, at school, or at home with those who are not serving God? We obviously can't cut off our ears. So, how can we deal with these things? And if we are around such things can we easily be affected.
Thanks.
1Thess 4:11 Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.
v. 12 In this way you will win the respect of those who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need. (GNB)
Miranda, we should certainly try to live a godly life, this is a personal endeavor to please God. We are living in this world, among people who do not know or serve God and we cannot expect them to understand or accept what we believe. So maybe it's best to live the way we think is right - quietly, and mind our own business, as Paul suggests.
Php 2:14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
v. 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
We should always be very considerate of others, even in their ignorance, not agreeing with it, but not taking upon ourselves to condemn them either. It is not up to us to correct this world, but to have kindness and compassion for our fellow man, as the most important commandment of course is to love and obey God, but what comes next only to that... "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:39).
I feel that we can bring persecution on ourselves by coming across to others as self righteous... not saying this is what you are doing, that's just one example. Maybe it's pride, temper, defensiveness or a tendency to be sarcastic, whatever it is, things like that can irk others.
If you are around people that curse or maybe say crude things to you, maybe try to ignore them or even avoid them if possible. But you can't change them and to make a comment can make yourself a target for ridicule, also it takes two to have an argument. Maybe you think telling somebody about a fault helps them know what they should change, wrong, in their reproach for what you said they will likely turn on you and taunt, mock or deride you... the devil uses all sorts of means to get to us. So be careful with your comments.
Matt 7:6 "Never give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs. Otherwise, they will trample them with their feet and then turn around and attack you." (ISV)
None of this may apply to your situation, it's just general advice.
mercy, peace and love
Kat