CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded
together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”
(Numbers 16:11)

MEDITATION:
Follow this sequence…
The people complained.
“Now the people complained about their hardships
in the hearing of the Lord…” (Numbers 11:1)

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses.
“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because
of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.” (Numbers 12:1)

All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
“All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole
assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this
wilderness!” (Numbers 14:2)

They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron.
“They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them,
‘You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them,
and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the
Lord’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3)

See a pattern?
Leadership is not all privileges and perks.
It is also a position of problems.
At times, people deal with their difficulties by attacking a person,
rather than by trying to find ways for solving the problem.

Now follow this sequence…
The Lord’s anger was aroused.
“…and when he heard them his anger was aroused.
Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed
some of the outskirts of the camp.” (Numbers 11:1)

The anger of the Lord burned against them.
“The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.”
(Numbers 12:9)

The Lord said He would strike them down.
“I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them,
but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.”
(Numbers 14:12)

Moses told the complainers that they had banded together against the Lord.
“It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together.
Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?” (Number 16:11)

See another pattern?
Attacking God’s appointed leadership is a serious offense.
When His appointed leader is opposed, God takes notice.
Submission to God’s appointed leadership is clearly commanded.

ACTION:
If there is a time of discontent with the leadership in a church,
or with the direction of a ministry, consider your actions carefully.
Don’t get caught up in following the crowd (group dynamics).
Follow God’s Word and make a decision
to approach the problem in a way that pleases Him.

Sadly, God’s leaders can be easy targets.
Consider what you say about your pastor and other leaders in the church
(Satan loves it whenever he can damage a body of believers).
Is God pleased with what you say?
Be respectful, biblical, and logical rather than emotional, angry, and selfish.

One last consideration: don’t use any type of language that Jesus wouldn’t use.
For instance, if you are prone to use profanity or vulgarity,
that is “anti-Christ” language, and it is detrimental to His earthly ministry.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have failed to choose
words that will glorify You. Guide me going forward, and remind
me that my language is a reflection of my faith and trust in You.
Help me to be aware of the damage I can cause to others and to my
own profession of faith, whenever I choose my words unwisely.
Remind me that my words will either point others to You, or drive
them away when they are ‘anti-Christ- in nature. Help me to develop
self-control when choosing my words.”

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