Then one who was
demon-possessed, blind and mute was brought to Jesus; and He healed him, so
that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said,
“Could this be the Son of David?”
Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow
does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” (Matthew 12: 22-24)
Jesus
healed people of incurable illnesses. He
delivered people from spiritual and psychological affliction. He manifest the pure grace of merciful
God. So naturally they accused him of
being a devil-worshipper.
The
Pharisees proudly bragged to Jesus that “We
were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” (John 8:41)
And
Jesus replied, “You are of your
father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” (John 8: 44)
The
sons of satan accused the Son of God of being an agent of the devil. It would be funny if it wasn’t so familiar.
Crazy
people look at sane people like the sane people are crazy.
Dumb
folks ask, “Why you always doin’ stupid stuff like readin’?”
The
most gossiping, cheating, fighting, conflict-provoking people on the internet
constantly post their complaints about haters startin’ drama.
It’s
O.K. They can’t help it. They’re so deep in their dysfunction that wrong
feels normal to them. So when you come around
living like you’ve got good sense, it makes them un-comfortable. Your presence and lifestyle makes them feel
convicted. Your existence makes them
feel bad, so they call you bad.
They
are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and
they heap abuse on you. (1 Peter 4:4, NIV)
The
next time some fool(s) calls you fake because you don’t engage in regular acts
of stupid, don’t get upset with them and certainly don’t feel bad about living
your life wisely. Stop and ask yourself,
“What do they think ‘real’ looks like?”
You
see, if real to them is sin and
foolishness then when they call you fake they’re calling you righteous and wise.
Acknowledge
their position. Offer appreciation for their observation. And continue with your day. Say, “If what you
do is real then thank you for thinking I’m fake,” and walk away.
Nah. Don’t do that. That would be provoking. You don’t have to say anything because
anything you say can and will be used against you.
People
in the wrong accused Jesus of being wrong, and Jesus, who had the means and
right to perfectly justify His actions, faced their accusations with courageous
SILENCE.
And
while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered
nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do
You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not
one word.(Matthew 27: 12-14)
Face your insulters. Don’t fear them. But also don't let them provoke you into an emotional or unwise response. Remember that Jesus understands how you
feel. Take courage and calm in the fact that God is on your side.
Jesus said, “If they have
called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call
those of his household! Therefore DO NOT FEAR THEM.” (Matthew 10: 25-26)
Don’t let the fools turn you
into one of them. Don’t get real in
their twisted way. Stay real in Jesus’
real way.
Better to be fake to them and
real to God than the other way around.
---Anderson T. Graves
II is a writer,
community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural
leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is
pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church in Fairfield, Alabama; executive director
of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO); and director of rural leadership development
for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
You can help support Rev.
Graves’ work by visiting his personal
blog and clicking the DONATE
button on the right-hand sidebar.
Support by check or money
order may be mailed to
Miles Chapel CME Church
P O Box 132
Fairfield, Al 35064
Amen!
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