Revelation 2:6
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
“Nicos” meaning “conquest” and “laity” meaning “people of the church” leads us to believe that the Nicolaitans were evidently those who came on the scene saying things such as, “I will tell you who to marry, where to live, and what to do because I am your spiritual leader.” There are certainly those within the “church” that feel it is their calling to line others up to their convictions! But what did Paul say? He wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:24, “We do not seek to have dominion over you, but we are helpers of your joy.”
We often want to place unnecessary expectations on others based on the experiences of our life. Our weaknesses can be the filter by which we measure everyone else.
For instance, I grew up in a very rigid church environment. I could tell you many stories about the judgmental attitudes of individuals. However, that environment created attitudes in me that have produced thoughts and ideas that I must continually place under the blood of Jesus.
There are many things that happen with-in my realm of influence that I want to say something about. However, I recall the times that the harshness and the “correction” that came from the pastor created an entirely different result in the individuals being corrected. As difficult as it may be, I have learned that unless I have clear direction from God and His Word on a situation that it is best for me to let Him work it out. Now some may call that being weak. That’s usually from the Holiness Hit Squad, or the HHS as I like to call them! I’d say silence is often the most difficult thing. Staying silent when you want to speak up takes great strength. Jesus uttered not a word when everything that was happening to Him was completely wrong. Was Jesus weak?
Lastly, just because I “think” something is wrong, doesn’t make it wrong! What does God’s word say about it? We have entirely too many social media spiritual vigilante’s roaming around causing division with what they think. They think it and then share their thoughts to people who think the same way they think. That social media spiritual vigilante’s thoughts turns that group into a lynch mob. Why? Because they all think the same way, and then they just continue to reinforce each other’s-beliefs. Everybody in the group thinks the same way, and anyone with a different belief, thought, or practice is destroyed. They call that being spiritual and yet, they utilize the word of God as a weapon on other believers instead of the real enemy. Calling individuals out by name on social media or in a video is a violation of Matthew 18. So, in your efforts to be pure and call the other out about the splinter, be careful because you have missed the beam in your own eye.
Reread that text, He hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans. He hated what they were doing! That ought to cause us to check what we are doing!
For me, I’m like Paul, I want to be a helper of joy!
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