I just couldn't help myself, I had to respond. You see, a woman posted a picture of her child covered in chocolate sauce he got into while she was out of the room. He was a sticky, chocolaty, mess. She posted his picture and the caption, "I can't leave the room for even a second" with a laughing emoji. The picture made me smile.
It did not make everyone smile, though. The responses were shocking. People were shaming her for leaving him alone, for letting him have chocolate, and for taking a picture before cleaning him up. I simply had to come to her defense. So I posted, "Seriously, your child never looked like this? Mine sure did!" with a heart and smiling emoji. The readers evidently didn't understand the love behind the heart and smiley emojis because their response to me was similar. Apparently, every child hasn't had the opportunity to be a sticky mess from some kind of food. Who knew!
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. Titus 3:9-11
These verses in Titus feel so relevant today. There is so much division, anger, and even hatred in the world today, including the church - it breaks my heart, and I'm sure it grieves God even more.
So many call this division the work of the enemy. Can we really blame him though? I'm sure he loves it and he probably stirs the pot, but is this world full of hate and anger that is so divided solely the responsibility of the enemy? I don't think so.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
When we are full of Jesus, when we really know Him, we can't wait to do the work God has assigned us. We find joy in telling others about Jesus, about His love, about an eternal life that takes us back to a perfect relationship with God. (Revelation 21)
When I replied to that tweet, I couldn't keep my thoughts to myself. I just had to get involved. I don't even know the woman who posted it. I can assure you, though, the devil didn't make me do it, I did that all on my own.
Spiritual warfare is real, and it is a force to be reckoned with. We need to be battle-ready for those times it comes our way, and it will, when we are working to grow God's kingdom His way. Maybe we need to ask ourselves this question; is it a real spiritual battle or is it the consequences of disobedience?
Check out the Whisper Women Facebook and Instagram pages as we dive more into this subject over the next week.