Not My Battle

Christ never defended Himself. Really think about that...


The devotion I read with my girls this morning was based upon that fact and this verse:


              The battle isn't yours. It's God's.
                                                               2 Chronicles 20:15


A portion of the devotion read like this: "Vindication is your attempt to fight the battle yourself, to fix things and to prove yourself to everyone who has you wrong. But God never asked you to vindicate yourself...Jesus never fought to prove himself to human beings. If they misunderstood him, he left it to God to do the correcting." That came from Devotions for the God Girl, by Hayley DiMarco, by the way (excellent!). Wow!


As I pondered this today, I thought of the many times I have never even questioned my right to defend myself-my right to vindication. But, as the author went on to say, my job is to stay obedient, not defend, just like Jesus. I'm hoping my "God Girls" learn this lesson early, 'cause this "God Woman" is still trying to swallow it.


Imagine yourself, even in Christian circles, having been misunderstood in something you've presented, or (I know this never happens with us church ladies, but...) having done something that someone else just simply doesn't like or agree with. Speaking for myself, in angst, I'm quick to want to defend, feeling they must understand my point of view-the "why" for my actions. But if Jesus is my model, I must let people misunderstand me sometimes.


What I need to be ready to defend is the Gospel.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who
speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of
their slander.                                                                               1 Peter 3:15~16

I think this might even mean church ladies, too. I have certainly been ashamed of my judgements upon other Christian sisters before. And that was God's doing, the Holy Spirit's conviction, not the meticulous defense of the one I was judging.

When we jump onto that defense/vindication wagon, we may be stepping on Holy Spirit toes. We are showing a lack of faith in God's ability to defend us, and we're trying to bring conviction upon another when that is not in our job description.

If our actions that are in question with others are not in question with God, then we need to leave it alone-surrender our right to defend ourselves. Our obedience and alegiance it to our Heavenly Father, not to a bunch of onlookers who will always question and express dissatisfaction in our decisions. "The battle isn't yours. It's Gods."