Spiritual Warfare - 6

Taking my stand with people


Not only are we the light of the world but also the salt of the earth. It is therefore important for us to identify ourselves with and relate to people.

 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:3-5 (NKJV)

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;   Romans 12:10 (NKJV)
 
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Romans 12:15-16 (NKJV)

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.  Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV)

We are asked to take our position in the structure of authority set in the scriptures. Although a structure of authority is set, we have to honor and respect each individual and quit oppressing anyone who is under our authority.

submitting to one another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  Ephesians 5:21-22 (NKJV) 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;  Ephesians 6:5 (NKJV)

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.  Ephesians 6:9 (NKJV)

Practical steps to humble myself with people:-

Look for something common to identify myself with them and relate to them.
Acknowledge and commend the good things in others.
Live simply, eat simply, and dress simply. Associate with simple people as attitudes are usually contagious. When dealing with the proud, beware not to ‘catch’ their pride!
Look for opportunities to serve others even with menial tasks.

GOD has set a boundary around each individual and says, “No Trespassing!” We are instructed to submit to one another in the fear of God. Remember, God alone is to be worshiped. He alone demands our absolute submission and obedience without any questioning. This is because God alone is perfect in Himself, in His character, in His attitudes and in His motives.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.  1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV)