Have you ever been in a situation at church or with other Christian believers where all you really wanted was to go all “Jesus in the temple” on them? You know, kicking tables over and yelling out of rage? I understand that Jesus did this for the right reason, that his anger was justified, but how often I have imagined my own response is similar for all of the wrong reasons? Someone gossiped about you at church? Tear up the fellowship hall! Someone talked down to you like you are a spiritual infant? Time to pick up the drum kit and throw it into the congregation! Someone took your seat in the pew? Might as well get the Goldfish crackers out of the nursery and dump them in the gutter outside! As much as I would like for this to be my initial response at times (blame that Scottish/Irish/Viking DNA on the temper) it does not make much sense. At least, maybe it only does in the natural realm.

I recently had a situation where someone DID gossip about me at church. Ouch. I had to ask myself what this person (actually, there was more than one instigator, so we can say “these people“) feel they had to gain by wanting to make me look bad in front of others? Were they questioning my salvation? My ability to lead in a church setting? That I have a lack of character? I will never know. The important thing is, I know for a fact that none of those things are in question about me, so I won’t sweat it anymore. There has been some fallout for ME based on the other’s behavior, so I have been asking God a lot how to respond? I have wondered if this is the big Harper Valley PTA moment I have waited for all my life where I can turn the tables on those who accuse me and just let her rip. But…then there’s this:

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3

There is also this:

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aarons beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.

Psalm 133

In Leviticus, when Moses poured oil on the head and beard of Aaron, the purpose was to consecrate him (to set apart, to make or declare sacred) to empower him to minister in the anointing because HE was anointed. The scripture above shows that when we live in unity with one another, it is the same consecration as if Moses had poured oil out onto our heads. When we keep the peace and don’t allow other people or our circumstances to exacerbate us we are showing that we too are empowered from above to minister in the anointing.

This puts things in a whole new perspective for me. As I mentioned above, its easy sometimes to blame my temper or my need for immediate justice on the makeup of my physical DNA, but I choose to make a commitment to follow my spiritual DNA instead. I do not want to fall in a trap set for me that would cause me to miss out on the anointing that I will walk in if I keep the peace. Are there times we need to use our voice and righteous anger is a proper response? Absolutely! Again, think of Jesus in the temple! However, that doesnt mean that every thing or every person needs or even deserves that response.

The church is made up of the body of Christ, not the building. God has not intended for us to lose faithfulness so that we let things happen to break up the body. If we truly have the life of Christ in the body, we cant have discord or gossip or poor reactions to those things. We will have unity. It is not any of my business what someone else did or said about me, especially if their confrontation comes in a way that is not kingdom communication to try and resolve what their issue is with me. If that does happen I absolutely seek guidance and prayer to know if there is truth behind what has been said so that I can repent and grow in my faith. Unfortunately, I think maybe more often than not this kind of communication is not the case.

Keep the peace. Keep the anointing. Keep in the Spirit. Keep your tongue.

Lessons that are soooo hard, but soooo necessary.