And do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him
who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).
~ Matthew 10:28 [Amplified]
Have you ever encountered people that raised so much hell on a daily basis they could probably raise the dead? Have you ever reported to work on a new assignment and noticed all hell had broken loose? The only thing to do is to brace yourself and hope for the best while attempting to learn and grow through each tribulation. So much disarray, mismanagement or handling of people with the aid of a Roman Empire dictatorship that you could not possibly be anywhere else but in the devil’s camp or the lion’s den! And in this hierarchical setting there are three (3) groups or teams [A, B, and C], but there can only be two (2) opposing sides [A & B].
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,
[even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern both good and evil.
~ Hebrew 5:15
Now, keep in mind, there are and can only be two (2) sides to a coin. Just as there are only two (2) sides in spiritual warfare, you cannot serve two (2) masters. Though there are people who try! Even in a game of Russian roulette, you may only get one chance to live or die. Therefore, you must choose your side very wisely. Coming on the scene, in the middle of the game, it is very important for you to take a close look at the entire spectrum. In weighing your options, you wonder should you get in the game or just simply and quietly sit on the side lines; way in the very background, with the other unsuspecting souls; Group C or better known as the bench warmers. Perhaps no one will notice you there and you can just play it safe until it is time for you to move on. Unfortunately, it is not going to be that easy.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
~ James 3:17
You are in the company of some very heavy hitters who have had years and years of practice stirring stuff up successfully. As they manage their perspective teams, they are having individual turf wars between each other. Though they try to keep that amongst themselves, every once in a while their controlling personalities tend to overlap. In an effort to keep you from figuring out whose pulling the strings and orchestrating the rules of the game, they often delegate co-captains or deputies to sacrifice should the need arise to protect themselves. More often than not, they always develop a strategy for playing both sides from the middle to fake you out. But they will band together in a crunch to overthrow anyone who threatens to rule over them unless they are able to convert them.
For this people's heart is waxed gross,
and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;
lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes,
and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.
~ Matthew 13:15
With so much division and strife on the team (B) with the largest number of players, there is no integrity or loyalty though they have developed individual cliques. Some of the players move around from one clique to the other in determining the most benefit for their own selfish gain. In addition to each of them, collectively, trying to decide how best to control you, manipulate you or bully you into being a part of their own endeavor or initiative. But not as a team member with equal partnership on a fully functioning team! And often times, you might even find yourself to be a team of one in a culture designed to abuse those who take their work assignments more seriously than most. Due to your well defined work efforts!
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,
and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength,
and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
~ Revelations 3:8
Given your somewhat humble and childlike nature for being a passive adult, you make an attempt to endure through the end while noticing and experiencing explosive tempers at the drop of a hat to being yelled at and disrespected regularly by a tag team. Now you are the object of the game and topic of discussions between some of the key players. They exchange information pertaining to what plan of attacks to use or eliminate for the next round. Seeking answers, you cannot understand why such a volatile working environment or culture has been allowed to flourish for so long. The in surmountable number of grievances and/or EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) complaints or reports is evidence of an existing growing darkness. Why should you be expected to adjust, adapt or contend with conforming to such an environment and not be impacted? At this point, however, not speaking up or out against the oppressors from the start, gives them a false sense of power and an opportunity to think you are fair game. So now, others are solicited to participate as they attempt to make you think you are the source of problem. And bets are waged to determine how long it will take for them to break you in the same manner in which they have been successful with others before you.
If thou seest the oppression of the poor,
and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province,
marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth;
and there be higher than they.
~ Ecclesiastes 5:8
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun:
and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter;
and on the side of their oppressors there was power;
but they had no comforter.
~ Psalm 12:5
The Place of Transition
All this time, you have been looking to man to validate you and to show you the way. You put too much trust in man to think he would be a just and fair creature. You thought he would evaluate you on the basis of your ability (skills and credentials) to carry-out and perform tasks as identified. You even thought receiving the initial call after the review and acceptance of your application would surely mean you were on your way to bigger and better things. But first you have to pass the initiation through THE HELL RAISERS’ zone!
Thus says the LORD:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the LORD.”
~ Jeremiah 17:5
You are in a place of transition with people who just get along to go along and fit in where they can while giving no real thought to the consequences of their actions. In this environment, you will also find people who, unfortunately, turn a blind eye to everything that’s going on. Because it is more about a game of politics and survival than anything else! To move forward and pass go, you have to be accepted by those who have blended in becoming a part of the fixture. In the beginning, there were no “special hiring programs or authorities” in place that were directed at excelling you and getting you inducted to the front of the line. So, this initiation serves to put you through a series of test by those who were present from the beginning and are somewhat resentful concerning your advantages at this time that were not available to them. Now, also, take into consideration the role of your adversary [the author of confusion]. His job is to quite simply take you captive and place you in bondage with no rhyme or reasoning. But there is always another option! You just have to be willing to choose the right side for all the right reasons!
Behold,
you trust in lying words that cannot benefit
[so that you do not profit].
~ Jeremiah 7:8
For a while, you actually ruled out the team (A) with the least amount of players. You viewed them as the sick, lame, and crippled misfits. But also amongst them are those who posses the personalities of the nine (9) fruits of the spirit [Galatians 5:22-23]. In accepting an assignment outside of the realm in which the HELL RAISERS are able to comprehend, they resolve themselves to patiently waiting to be released and elevated upon completion of their tasks where they are most needed. They do not look to the left or to the right and they cannot be easily persuaded to join any cliques in following the ways of the others. They will, however, for a short while, attempt not to upset the order of things until it hinges on compromising their ultimate mission. Though unlike TEAM B, they are constantly reminded of the need not to be conceited, egotistical, puffed-up, provoke one another or to be jealous of one another in any way. And during their transition, they view it as a small detour needed to refine them for their continued training in strengthening them for what is to come.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have nailed the passions and desires to their sinful nature
to HIS cross and crucified them there.
Since we are [called to live by the SPIRIT],
let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
~ Galatians 5:24-25 [Amplified Version, paraphrased]
For a list of players on TEAM A, read Galatians 5:22-23
For a list of players on TEAM B, read Galatians 5:19-21
For a list of players on TEAM C, the list changes often so it is hard to keep up. Some of them jump from TEAM A to B when the going gets tough!
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind;
but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
~ Galatians 5
Written on February 12, 2012
Posted on July 20, 2013
Ann Gwen Mack
Posted By: Ann Mack
Saturday, July 20th 2013 at 9:58PM
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