Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum Have you ever wanted to retaliate when you've been insulted, attacked or slandered? From time to time, I receive emails or hear critical comments about Calvary.
about myself, about other staff members or about my family. My natural instinct is quickly to demonstrate what I think is my superior skill verbally, to put them down to expose them to show the utter of their ways. But this is not the way of Christ. He instructed us not to render evil with evil. When he was insulted, the scriptures make it clear he did not insult in return.
So Peter the Apostle writes, Regarding our Saviour, When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him. who judges justly. That's first Peter chapter two, verse twenty three. What an example.
The perfect man, our Lord Jesus, did not open his mouth when he was insulted. When we try to defend ourselves or give a stinging retort, the conversation usually quickly deteriorates. Throwing mud at one another ends by digging a big hole. which consumes both of us. There are frequent passages in Scripture reminding us.
There is a time to speak. but there's also a time to be silent. Just because you have the ability to criticize the individual who's criticized you doesn't mean that you do so. In Luke chapter 22, Jesus is about to enter the Garden of Gethsemane. where he will pray fervently.
His sweat will become like great drops of blood. falling down to the ground. But just before going into the garden he gives us strange instruction. To his disciples, He says, Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
Now, even a superficial reading of the Gospels demonstrates that Jesus was not a person of violence. He was not instructing his disciples physically to attack those who were about to arrest him. But in reply, the disciples say, Look, Lord, Here are two swords. And in Luke chapter 22, verse 38, our Lord says. It is enough.
Here sword is being used in a metaphorical way. The disciples need to be prepared for what's about to happen. They should be spiritually watchful. but not to attack physically Christ's opponents. Jesus reprimanded the disciples when they wanted to call down fire.
on the Samaritans. That's Luke chapter 9, verses 54 and 55. When they produced two swords, After Jesus said, Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. It's then Jesus said, It is enough. Two swords would be pitifully inadequate For the disciples to defend themselves against those who were coming to capture Jesus.
When we attacked, We do not use physical violence. or verbal attacks. Or rather we rely on the spiritual weapons of war.
However, As events unfold, Peter uses one sword to cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus then touched the ear, and heal the servant.
Now, if they had two physical swords and one was used by Peter. What about the other sword? It's not mentioned. Who had it?
Well, we don't know, but we do know it was not used. The point I'm making is just because you can use the sword to demolish your opponent does not mean that you have to use it. The attorney who mentored me wrote a little poem called The Undrawn Sword. He reflects on this passage of the two swords. His point is that the undrawn sword demonstrates a person of nobler merit than the one who actually uses it.
And the final stanza of his little poem goes like this Thy strength Thy weakness is in if thou abuse it. Thy courage cowardice if uncontrolled to have the power to smite and not to use it. Is strength twofold. You get that? You have the strength.
But in actual fact it becomes a weakness if you use your strength to to abuse others. To have the power to smite, to have the sword in your hand but not use it. It's a strength twofold. Brilliant, isn't it? All of us have strengths.
but if we use them unwisely these strengths become weaknesses. If our courage is uncontrolled, it amounts to being a coward. you may have the power to smite your opponent. But if you have that power and don't use it, That strength twofold. A person under the control of the Holy Spirit does not use their gifts and abilities in a way which attacks people in a mean, sinful, or unedifying way.
Then our strengths of a quick reply, of a quick mind, or verbal agility, they become weaknesses.
So the next time You're verbally attacked. and you're tempted to put some one down. or if your character is assassinated, stay silent. do not respond in kind. Keep your sword, as it were, undrawn.
Follow the way of your master. Do not return evil for evil. And remember, To have the power to smite. and not to use it. His strength twofold.
Avizandam. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
