27/09/2014 - A COMPARISON NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY

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Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!” Proverbs 26.18,19

Spiritual matters are more serious than material matters. In the material world, one person can deceive another and get away with it, or if the truth comes out he can use an excuse and say that he was joking, which may even lead to forgiveness. In the spiritual world, however, things are not so simple. We must never allow the enemy to use our mouths, let alone say that when we did that we were only joking.

The devil goes after people who want to be funny or that smart guy who is always trying to cheat. The devil knows that those who do that are madmen. The truth is that, when a person acts in this manner, he is allowing the enemy to use him for his evil purposes. We must always be responsible for our actions, as well as our thoughts in all our deeds. Be always alert, otherwise the tempter will use you to destroy lives.

Be careful not to be a person who “throws firebrands”, setting up a fire that will burn someone’s reputation or lead someone astray. Even if afterwards you say that you were “only joking”, you will not be deemed as innocent. He who acts in this manner is a madman who, by throwing firebrands, can set a house or an entire field on fire, killing many people. If this happens, this person will be fully responsible for the tragedy.

A reckless person prepares its bow and shoots arrows aimlessly. If a person is hurt or killed, the one who shot the arrow will not be held innocent, even if he claims not to have done it on purpose. A person who, by voluntary act, omission or recklessness, hurts another will be held responsible. Because he has committed a crime, he will be held accountable before the court. And the same is valid regarding false statements that cause harm to someone.

Those who disseminate death will never be considered innocent. Every murderer has to serve his sentence in accordance with the law. He who lives in deceit will not have any excuses to give when he stands before the throne of judgment at the last day. So never allow yourself to get involved in an evil action that may cause injury, moral or spiritual damage to a person.

We have to throw firebrands on the works of the enemy, not on people around us. The holy fire has been given to us so that we may fulfill the commandments we receive from the Lord Jesus. He lit up the fire of the Spirit and no one can quench it (1Thessalonians 5.19). It is our duty to use it to destroy all Satan’s weapons.

Use the arrows of God’s love to light up the path people must walk. It is our duty to throw holy firebrands on evil spirits that deceive people and make them suffer (Luke 10.19). Instead of disseminating death, disseminate life, because the power to do that has already been given to you.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares