2 Samuel 15:4 – “Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”  NKJV

Let’s talk about MARKING certain groups of people and see if we can get beyond the objection that we are not to JUDGE.  The Bible does not say that we can never judge but that we are to judge righteous judgment and the measure or standard we use will be used toward us.  That is often overlooked in the demand that we never judge for we judge every day.

The first Group to MARK is those who cause DIVISIONS.  The second those who SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE.  Both are important to note and be aware of.  MARK THEM BOTH but AVOID the ones who cause division and JOIN yourselves with those who set the right example.  If you can receive this, “the devil can never defeat the church from the outside.”  People can say all they want about us.  They can criticize us and fight us with character assignation and even put their hands on us in a very literal and legal sense but they will come to naught and God will lift us to a PLACE IN HIM that we have yet to taste and experience.  It is NEVER the outsider, the critic, the jealous preacher, the jealous church, people, or politicians that defeat us.  They CANNOT!

The ONLY THING that can destroy the church is You and Me.  We are the only ones who can destroy the local church and defeat its purpose in the Kingdom of God.  In order for the devil to defeat and/or destroy the church (local) is to get inside, in the middle and divide the church, the leadership, the membership, and attendees.  He must get us on opposite sides and at odds with each other.

LET ME BE CLEAR – – The devil does not make you a rebel or an outlaw.  He comes in with innuendo, suggestion, and criticism.  He deceives you into believing that your perceived ministry, gifts, talents, and abilities are superior to others.  He inspires and encourages you to focus on your perceived injuries and hurts.  He, as with Absalom, Eve and multitudes throughout human history, suggests that you should have more and be more and the leadership is hindering you.  Therefore, in your mind, the leadership must be ousted.  THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB, it is GOD’s JOB.

I’ve had people tell me that they were on God’s side and God was on their side and they had a mandate from God to oust the leadership.  I always challenge them to examine their actions and attitudes.  I identify how they are spreading DISCORD.  I ask if they acknowledge speaking against the leadership which God established.  I call to the fore their plans to oust the leaders.  I challenge their proclamation their love for God and the leaders when they are working diligently to overthrow the leadership rather than praying for God to raise up or take down those in authority.  That, I tell them is NOT BEING ON GOD’S SIDE.  I challenge them with scripture and show them that God opposes that attitude and action.  Sometimes I am successful in pulling back the veil and expose the Sowing of Discord and Error and sometimes I am told to find the door but I will not be silent and condone anything that blatantly violates God’s word and pattern.

Proverbs 16:18-19 – “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” 

If we allow the Spirit of Absalom to dominate in our lives we will, as Absalom be left hanging in the tree not ascending to the position or place God would have us rise.  It is not about us but about the Kingdom of God.  It is about the Great Commission and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is about life and death.

God bless you and if you recognize an Absalom spirit in yourself or others NOTE it, repent of it personally and divest yourself of it collectively.   May the Lord richly bless your walk, word, and warfare in Him.