Hold Your Ground

By Bobbie Houston
Revelation that you were born for a Cause bigger than yourself opens up a world more wonderful than most of us can imagine. If you start to become a blessing on the earth, and if your life begins to affect others in a positive way, then don't be surprised (or dismayed) if and when opposition comes your way.
Ephesians 6:10-14 tells us to stand and hold our ground in the heat of spiritual battle, but we also need to learn how to hold our ground when there is no actual war in sight.
Ground can be relinquished so easily, by simply not behaving as we ought to, especially on the days that are a little 'normal' or 'unspectacular.' You know the days I mean - the days when the most exciting thing you did was go to the mail box; the days when the only people you encounter are the people you live with; the days when we sometimes forget who we are because we are not wearing our Sunday-best.
It is usually the little issues of the heart that have the power to knock us off course, and if we are going to be effective in leadership then we need to guard certain things. I am very aware of the hundreds of people who watch my life. I want to live my life in such a way that I do not disappoint them. For that reason I need to understand the challenge and charge in the following verses. I need to discover for example, what it is to live 'resistant to accusation.' I need to know the keys to 'living above reproach,' and I need to know how to remain 'self controlled' when life sometimes wants to make me lose control.
Read these verses (1 Timothy 3:2-7) carefully and allow me to share a few thoughts.
"Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; (he must be) sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; (he must be) hospitable (showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be) a capable and qualified teacher, not given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome, but forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money (insatiable for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means).
"He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful. For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?
He must not be a new convert, or he may (develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind) as the result of pride (be blinded by conceit and) fall into the condemnation that the devil once did.
"Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside (the church) lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devils trap."

Live above accusation

When it comes to accusation our adversary is not the only one who can shoot fiery darts. Sometimes the unredeemed behaviour of those closest to us can fire a few bullets. If you come under fire, conviction seeks an inner strength that says, "I can handle this. I'm not going to get all destroyed by what is happening." Conviction will cause someone to draw on their faith and examine themselves first. Then, if forgiveness is needed, they will seek that forgiveness. Forgiveness will always allow God room to move.
A person with conviction takes responsibility for their own heart, keeping it pure, so no accusation can actually find legal ground in their life. Proverbs 26:2 says, "The curse, causeless shall not come."
This may help you understand how important godly behaviour is. Two types of armour are described in the Word. One word is used frequently and describes armour as a shield of light. It is speaking of godly Christ-like behaviour. I love the Lord; He actually makes it very simple for us, yet so often we make it incredibly complicated. Basically, if we get our act together, and behave in a manner that is correct, then this form of armour has the ability to deflect darkness and save us a lot of pain. The concept isn't that difficult to grasp, but it's amazing how many miss it.
The second word used is found in Ephesians 6 talks about fighting real spiritual forces. A person of conviction will wisely wear both, so that nothing will affect, contain or rob them.

Live above reproach

A sharp person of conviction recognises that leadership carries a price tag. Basically our margin for error is reduced. Life is fun, and perish the thought that we cannot be ourselves, but our behaviour needs to be sensible and well-behaved. A responsible leader is always mindful of offending others, and would never intentionally put a stumbling block in front of anyone.

Live with discipline

If you desire to succeed in life, it is pointless to try and avoid discipline. Discipline comes with the territory and it's worth noting that undisciplined soldiers often perish, undisciplined athletes usually lose and undisciplined farmers miss the harvest.
Discipline simply means to be 'trained'. Such a person realises that first and foremost the Word of God will effectively train them. They also realise that life's experiences can train them and they also understand the importance of godly friends, who will steer them in the right direction. If you do not have godly friends, pray them in, and then never forget to be one yourself.

Live a generous and hospitable life

People with conviction regarding the bigger picture understand how important it is to be embracing and hospitable. Faith causes them to react beautifully and generously when confronted with unexpected guests. Grace marks such a believer.
When it comes to strangers and foreigners, conviction will cause you to rise above any shyness and insecurity, because often God uses such people to stretch our world. The planet is a big, bright, fabulous place and meeting such people always enlarges our worldview. The Bible also says you better be nice too, "because you never know when you might be entertaining angels unknown" (Hebrews 13:2). (Now that's food for thought. Wouldn't it be a major shame to discover you'd just been rude to an angel?)

Live as a qualified teacher

Leadership demands that we also become qualified and capable teachers. You may never actually stand publicly and speak, but your life will teach others. Literally speaking, your very lifestyle will show others the way to go.

God will use a variety of circumstances to stretch you, so you can develop into all God has called you to be. I remember my Heavenly Father deciding it was time for me to step out of my safe little world and grow. He knew what lay ahead for me and knew that to achieve it, I had to grow.
So He picked me up, carried me to the other side of the planet and gently dumped me in the midst of a bunch of strangers. They seriously intimidated me. (Even my wardrobe was intimidated, I borrowed clothes from all my friends). I felt sick as the plane landed. Behind my calm little facade, my seriously-challenged-comfort-zone was having a 'slight' panic attack, "How come they're all so darn confident? Is this just an American thing or do they know something I don't know?"
However it was this very confidence (the confidence of a bunch of strangers), that God had purposed would stretch and take me to new levels.

© Bobbie Houston. Permission required to publish this article in any form.
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