Birds on a Wire: Devotions for Moms

We persecute Jesus when we are obstinate and demanding of our ways with others.

Acts 9:4

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

We don’t believe that we are persecuting Jesus, do we?  No! Never!  It is easy to see how Paul was persecuting Jesus—he was killing the Jews.  But, in reality we also persecute Him when we are obstinate and demanding of our ways with others.  When we stand our ground and do not yield our rights, it hurts Jesus and the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us. 

The fruit of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, understanding, kindness and self-control. These fruits are evident in our lives when we are walking and abiding with Jesus. When there is no evidence of these attributes in our lives, it hurts Jesus, the Holy Spirit and even God’s church, which means we are persecuting Jesus.  Think about it:

• When you insist on your own way, does anyone SEE Jesus in you?
• When you demand to be heard, demand to be right, can people SEE the love of Christ in you? 

As you go about your day today, be aware of your life and how it is affecting others. Are you drawing people closer to Jesus by exhibiting love, patience, peace, etc.  Or are you driving people away from you and ultimately persecuting Jesus?

Prayer

Father, I do not ever want to drive people away from You.   I want people to SEE You living in my life and ruling my life, which draws people to You.  Father, it is hard for me not to insist on my own way.  I acknowledge here and now that I cannot love people the way You love, it is too much!  But, You can love people through me.  I submit my life to You, I give up my rights to You.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your love.