Proverbs 15:1:
1A SOFT answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
We have heard this verse quoted many times, but it takes a determined purpose to change the way we react to people! Our flesh always wants to be right and to get the last word in! We might THINK that we'll feel better if we just give them a real tongue-lashing, but that is rarely, if ever, true! Whether we can understand it or not, the Word ALWAYS works! God says that if we answer angry attacks with a "soft", the Hebrew word, "rak", which means: soft, tender, delicate, gentle, "answer", the Hebrew word, "ma`aneh", which means: answer, reply or response, that we will "turn away" the wrath! We will diffuse the situation. I believe this has as much to do with our attitude and countenance as with the words we choose! If we truly let the peace of God rule in our lives, then we will show forth an attitude of quiet confidence that can't be shaken. Meditating on the Word of God and praying in the Spirit will help you to maintain a "Right Mental Attitude" (a great book by Jerry Savelle!) and that will allow you to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He gives you the words to say! That's what Jesus did when He would give the people an answer that would leave them speechless! Let's be more like Jesus and enjoy the same results He had!
In Galatians 4 Paul is addressing the fact that many of the Jewish believers were wanting to continue to observe the Law (and require other believers to do so), and many of the Gentile believers were trying to bring in customs and rituals from their previous religions. He addresses this in verses 4-11:
4But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, 5To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]. 6And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father! 7Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ. 8But at that previous time, when you had not come to be acquainted with and understand and know the true God, you [Gentiles] were in bondage to gods who by their very nature could not be gods at all [gods that really did not exist]. 9Now, however, that you have come to be acquainted with and understand and know [the true] God, or rather to be understood and known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly and worthless elementary things [of all religions before Christ came], whose slaves you once more want to become? 10You observe [particular] days and months and seasons and years! 11I am alarmed [about you], lest I have labored among and over you to no purpose and in vain.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating the Jewish feasts from a New Covenant perspective, which reminds us of all that He has done for us! The problems begin when people try to REQUIRE that these things be done! We HAVE BEEN set free from doing works to try to please God! Now we do the things that are pleasing to Him because we love Him and NOT because we HAVE to! Bringing in lot's of traditions and rituals from other cultures and other religions also serves to dilute the Truth of God's Word. If you want a powerful fellowship with the the Lord, then get to know Him through His Word (Philippians 3:8-10) and keep it simple! Let's be about our Father's business and His Primary Purpose and cut the clutter right out! You'll be amazed at how fresh and powerful the Word will become to you again! AMEN!
In 2 Samuel we see that what David had prayed for concerning the counsel of Ahithophel was answered! (2 Samuel 15:31) God will not always work the way WE think He will! He always has the right plan for victory for each of us if we will simply obey and LET God BE God! Remember that the victory is YOURS when the battle is the LORD'S! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
