PITFALL 2: DEALING WITH SELF-CONDEMNATION-4
Job 9:20 “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse”

…From yesterday…

3. STAY AROUND AN ENCOURAGER
Act 9:26 “Back in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t trust him one bit.”

If it was you and I in the early church and we have somebody like Saul come to church, we might likely stop attending that particular church. We will point accusing fingers at him and might prefer him dead and in Hell rather than fellowship with him.

That was the scenario but then something interesting happened that changed all that:

Act 9:27 “Then Barnabas took him under his wing. He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him…“(MSG)

Somebody entered the life of Paul and stood by him. His name was Barnabas. Who was he and what does he represent?

Act 4:36 “Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which interpreted means Son of Encouragement,” (AMP)

By his name he was an encourager. He helped Paul through the difficult period till he was accepted. He solved the challenge of self-condemnation for him. Paul might have fallen into this terrible pitfall if not for an Encourager. You need men like this to help you through such difficult moments.

4. DEVELOP THICK SKIN
Finally, to fight this pitfall, you must develop a thick skin against negative uncomplimentary statements and cheap blackmail. If Paul had listened to other Apostles who were bent on sending him out of church he will never have fulfilled destiny. Now you understand why he had to write the book of Romans, justification by faith!

A major trait of this pitfall is a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness and often depression, don’t ever let the devil get you into that arena. Close your ears to condemning talks.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)

Love you BiG

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