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People, will let you down.
No matter who it is, at sometime or another, they will let you down in some way. It is especially disheartening when it is a person who claims the name of Christ. Family, friends, celebrities you admire for their stance in today’s media, even church leaders.
They will let you down.
Remember, when that actress you admire so much for her values takes a gig on a show that is the complete opposite of what she preaches, or that church leader does not practice what they preach, that they are human. They have free will and make mistakes.
The most important thing to remember though, is that we are to focus on God.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 NASB
Since everyone is human, even leaders and teacher, what do we do when they let us down?
Remember these verses:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 NASB
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB
We can take the good traits and lessons we have learned-following them in how they follow Christ.
It is hard, to get over the let-down. When you cannot believe that they would act in such a way, while proclaiming the name of Christ, but the important thing is to refocus on Christ.
People can put a bad taste in our mouths, but we must not let that affect our relationship with Christ or the church (as a whole). We need community.
We are meant to function as the body of Christ. By letting other’s trip us up, we are letting Satan tear down the church even more than when the other person gave into sinful human nature.
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.”
Romans 3:3-4 NASB
The Scriptures make it clear that God is faithful (Numbers 23:9, Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 36:5, 86:15, 119:90; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 10:23; Titus 1:2; to name a few).
Even though Christ followers stumble and fall, we must remember that God will not let us down. His will and timing may look different than ours. He ways are so much higher than our ways, because He sees the big picture, but we must trust that He has our best interest at heart.
At what point do you shake the proverbial dust off your sandals in a church situation?
Always follow the prompting of the Spirit, but it is a matter for serious prayer. If a leader repeatedly goes against Scripture, and it is handled Biblically (Matthew 18:15-17), but there is no change, I would very prayerfully consider finding a new church home. Sitting under false teaching (by word or deed) is not something to mess around with.
Satan wants nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy members of the body. The question is, are you going to let him?
Girl! You got it right.
People are going to let you down – you’re going to feel like you’re sucker punched because you thought it was a safe place with them. You were holding their hand and they fell. The Fell! Slipped right out of your hands and dropped. Sometimes you feel responsible and sometimes you don’t. Trust them to the Lord who knows the heart, mind and future of the fallen. You are right: grab the hand of the next person (may they’re the walking wounded too) and look up for you Savior is at hand!
Thank for the reminder. Blessings, Your Chris
What a good reminder of who we should look to for perfection. People will always fail us if we put them on that sort of pedestal but God is faithful and will never, ever fail us. Thanks for the good read and reminder ❤
I particularly like what you said with this: “By letting other’s trip us up, we are letting Satan tear down the church even more than when the other person gave into sinful human nature.” This is such great truth! How often do we let the enemy gain ground because we are so wrapped up in other people’s business? If we are following someone so religiously that we are so impacted by their sin,then we are following much more closely than God ever intended us to.
Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth. I enjoyed your post.