Defensiveness

We open our Bibles to know God and knowing God exposes things about ourselves. If you think you need to defend yourself, it is a sure sign that you are not trusting God enough to defend you. Defensiveness is ultimately a faith issue. One clear way it plays out in our lives is through our rebelliousness.

Plants may not care much for pruning. It is necessary however that we periodically prune their leaves and branches because we know that pruned plants are more fruitful. When you prune, you redirect the nutrients to the fruitful parts of the plant.

There is a danger in painting the perfect picture of ourselves because we are human. We are flawed. We are sinful. We are all so filled with pride, self and what we want. We focus on our agenda and emotions (it’s all about us and how we feel) and the selfishness and self-seeking never go away. We must learn to extend grace, not just to others but also to ourselves. We need to submit to pruning. We must learn to live in the shadow of the cross where grace is given and mercy abounds.

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” – I Peter 3:3-4 NKJV

It is said that “hurt people hurt people” and by inference “broken people break people”. By ourselves we are all desperately broken. Instead of focusing on the difficult situations/ persons that we consistently have to deal with in our lives, our focus must be on Christ who is ever sufficient to carry us through it all. While going through the tough time and dealing with the tough people, we may not even realize how much it molds us into being more graceful and ultimately becoming lord Christ-like. We learn to surrender and submit our will and desires to the will of God. We learn to trust God completely and are more conscious of the fact that He is ever present. As these circumstances mold you and shape your virtues and value systems, you become a well of hope that other recognize and are filled by.

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—” – Colossians 1:21-22 NKJV

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” – Romans 8:7-11 NKJV

When we are defensive and reject the pruning that God gives through the light of His word, we become enemies of God and we are hostile to the gospel. This is not what God expects of us. He does not desire to see us rebel against His law and His ways. It might take a moment for some or might be a process for others but it is always profitable for us to remember that we are better off in Him than when we are apart from Christ while running in rebellion.

When we remain in rebellion, we end up living in fear and self-sufficiency trying to figure out what our agenda is and how to achieve the expectations we have of life. Even when we didn’t know him, He loved us regardless. His utmost desire is that we come to know Him and walk in the liberty and victory of His will and purposes for us.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” – I Timothy 2:5-6 NKJV

Jesus loves us so much that He laid down His life for us. The pattern is obvious: Creation => fall => redemption. Our brokenness, Christ’s sacrifice, our wholeness. The ground is even at the foot of the cross. We all need Jesus baring the magnitude of our sin. Being defensive/ rebellious will only deny us the treasures of His sacrifice.

How then should we live?

We ought to plant ourselves in the word of God so that we know His character and live in response to it. We need to discover our identity in Him to obtain the grace needed to fulfill our days in His will. We need to look at ourselves the way that Christ sees us. Our perspective of His authority in our lives needs to be established knowing that He is a good Father and Judge.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV

Remember that death brings life. When you bury a seed, it needs to die and germinate in order to grow into a plant and bear fruit. Jesus needed to die in order that we have access to eternal life. Similarly, we need to ensure that our rebellion/ defensiveness dies so as to manifest the abundant life that God has in store for us.

Also, we need to always be in tune with the Holy Spirit and in communion with God. Take heed never to pray as a last resort. It is our weapon and an expression of our humility, acknowledging that we need God’s divine assistance. Remain steadfast in God’s presence.

With Love, Esinam.