I am being despitefully used by a nonbeliever. She has falsely accused me, has mocked me, and has attempted to trick me. Her motive is to gain entry into my inner circle of trusted family and friends. When she was unable to manipulate me, she began her campaign from the outskirts of my circle, in hopes that the ripples will force me to relinquish control and direction to her.
She is using my strong walk with Jesus Christ to effect the things she wants. She has publicly asked for my forgiveness, in a loud and boisterous voice, with many other non- believing witnesses surrounding her. Her deeds against me were dastardly and horrible, yet she mockingly calls for my forgiveness in the name of my Christ. Her heart is not sincere, but her hope to penetrate my world is.
My Lord’s words are clear:
“43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Mt 5:43-48 AV)
“Despitefully use you” had no deep meaning to me, until now that I am faced with that exact thing. It is the word “use” that causes the most pain to me. I am no different than thousands of other Christians who daily endure despiteful treatment from some through their wicked actions. It comes with the territory, and we all accept that as part of the price we pay to bear our cross and follow after Christ. So I know what it feels like to be “despised”.
But “despitefully used” is something new to me. Those words mean that my persecutor is going to be inside my life, in my presence, and cause my faith and walk to be directed in attention to their spite. The way my enemy is “using” me is loudly proclaiming that if I am of Christ, I am obligated to forgive her when she asks. Though my spirit and heart know she is insincere, and the practice of my faith requires repentance and change to receive forgiveness, her public outcries place my ministry and testimony in conflict with my teachings as viewed by the unsaved world. More importantly, to not forgive her would cause me to appear to go against the teachings of my beloved Jesus Christ.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Mt 18:21-22 AV)
Seventy times seven, over and over if necessary, I am instructed to forgive my brethren when they sin against me. My brethren, who are my Christian brothers and sisters, that share my faith in Jesus Christ, and my Father LORD GOD, receive forgiveness from me without pause. But this girl is NOT my brethren. She does not profess her faith in Christ, she refuses to be baptized, her ways are wicked and go against the things of my God. Yet, she calls herself “Christian”, and proclaims her Christianity to be better than mine, because it allows her to do the things that feel good to her, and manipulate the things in my outer circle to come under her control.
To be “despitefully used” makes the walk of a Christian very slippery, with the enemy placing landmines and pitfalls in the path to righteousness. When the path gets this slippery (or even when it is sure), I have no choice, but to follow my Lord’s instructions exactly.
So today, I will be praying for her, as my Christ instructs. I will try to make my heart as perfect as I can before I say the prayer, and choose my words carefully, so that my love for my King and Savior shines through the wickedness that is placed before me by my enemies. And then. I am going to wait patiently, as His Will and Works unfold.
If you are reading this…please pray for my enemy too. She needs all the prayers that she can get!
