Q&A

Judges 8:1-3

"Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, "Why have you treated us like this? Why didn't you call us when you went to fight Midian?" And they criticized him sharply. But he answered them, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?" At this, their resentment against him subsided."

There is something about the answers we give that people respond to in a certain manner. Gideon faced a group whose pride he had hurt. He countered with praise and affirmation to quell enraged hearts left out of victory. Jesus, in a way, does the same with the teachers of the law. It's very subtle but I've always thought it was very clever and yet it cuts razor-sharp through hearts into the most important aspects of God's Purpose dumbed in the sheer density of Pharasiacal legalism. I can just imagine how they reacted in the silence. Guess again.

Mark 2:15-17

"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Indeed, it takes much discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit of God to deal with people, but the bible does give us a 'foolproof' way of responding to those who question us, even quite condescendingly:

1 Peter 3:13-16

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats do not be frightened, but in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

~18.09.2013