What Do My Neighbors See?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
1 Peter 2:12
12 Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world. NLT
1 Peter 2:12
12 Be careful how you behave among your unsaved neighbors; for then, even if they are suspicious of you and talk against you, they will end up praising God for your good works when Christ returns. TLB
Sometimes it seems that people just cannot find anything good to say about you. But do you realize that your reaction or failure to react can speak volumes about the God to you serve? When we are falsely accused, or when others just seem unable to find anything good to say about us, we have to realize that it is yet another opportunity for us to walk as Jesus would walk, and do what Jesus would do. Many times, when the false accusations arise or the negative talk occurs, the enemy is trying to call you off your post, pull you away from your determination to serve the Lord no matter what comes your way, and keep you from walking in the victory path that has already been laid out for you.
Don’t be moved when they talk about you because you excuse yourself when the dirty jokes are told, or you don’t go with them to the movie that shows too much skin or has language you don’t want to take into your spirit. They may ostracize you because you won’t cut corners at work, but you choose to do your work as unto the Lord Himself. You may be the one who refuses to talk about the boss or to gossip about your coworker. You may willingly submit to the authority figures on your job even when it seems their requests are unfair. In hard times, you choose not to do anything that might remotely look like you are not totally dependent on God, but instead you are constantly speaking out what you believe will come to pass in your life. You know your God shall supply everything you need, you know the righteous have never been forsaken, and you know that God has a good life planned for you.
Continue to stand. Continue to be the light, the example, the witness who walks in the hope and the assurance that God’s Word will come to pass in your life. As the light, the salt, the city that sits on the hill, we have an awesome responsibility to do our part in preparing the way for the return of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever stand behind a pulpit, get a microphone in your hand, write a book, or sell tapes is really not important. Those who see and interact with you on a daily basis are your audience and they are trying to find their way in this time of instability in our world system. Make sure you are giving them a reason to praise your God because of the stand you take, honoring God by portraying his character in all that you do.
Prayer: “Father, Thank you for the opportunity to represent you on a daily basis. I want others to see you in me and to know you as I do. I choose to allow your glory to shine through my life. Amen.”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
©2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott
by Audrea Winbush Lott
1 Peter 2:12
12 Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world. NLT
1 Peter 2:12
12 Be careful how you behave among your unsaved neighbors; for then, even if they are suspicious of you and talk against you, they will end up praising God for your good works when Christ returns. TLB
Sometimes it seems that people just cannot find anything good to say about you. But do you realize that your reaction or failure to react can speak volumes about the God to you serve? When we are falsely accused, or when others just seem unable to find anything good to say about us, we have to realize that it is yet another opportunity for us to walk as Jesus would walk, and do what Jesus would do. Many times, when the false accusations arise or the negative talk occurs, the enemy is trying to call you off your post, pull you away from your determination to serve the Lord no matter what comes your way, and keep you from walking in the victory path that has already been laid out for you.
Don’t be moved when they talk about you because you excuse yourself when the dirty jokes are told, or you don’t go with them to the movie that shows too much skin or has language you don’t want to take into your spirit. They may ostracize you because you won’t cut corners at work, but you choose to do your work as unto the Lord Himself. You may be the one who refuses to talk about the boss or to gossip about your coworker. You may willingly submit to the authority figures on your job even when it seems their requests are unfair. In hard times, you choose not to do anything that might remotely look like you are not totally dependent on God, but instead you are constantly speaking out what you believe will come to pass in your life. You know your God shall supply everything you need, you know the righteous have never been forsaken, and you know that God has a good life planned for you.
Continue to stand. Continue to be the light, the example, the witness who walks in the hope and the assurance that God’s Word will come to pass in your life. As the light, the salt, the city that sits on the hill, we have an awesome responsibility to do our part in preparing the way for the return of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever stand behind a pulpit, get a microphone in your hand, write a book, or sell tapes is really not important. Those who see and interact with you on a daily basis are your audience and they are trying to find their way in this time of instability in our world system. Make sure you are giving them a reason to praise your God because of the stand you take, honoring God by portraying his character in all that you do.
Prayer: “Father, Thank you for the opportunity to represent you on a daily basis. I want others to see you in me and to know you as I do. I choose to allow your glory to shine through my life. Amen.”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
©2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott
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