Vindication is Mine Says The Lord

Romans 12:19 (AMP)

 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. [Deut. 32:35.]

The snare of self-vindication/self-righteousness can be a deadly spiritual snare.  It “binds” a person internally by external influences.  We mustn’t confuse being free in the spirit of the Lord with being freed from this fallen world and the opinions and persecutions of this world. 

When a person knows the truth they are defined by the truth not the accusations, lies, opinions, thoughts, interpretations or deceptions of others.  The need to be right can and often will allow compromising being right with the Lord Jesus. 

I am not inferring that we shouldn’t speak truth but truth without love is not palatable and definitely not in the fruit of the spirit of the Lord Jesus.  People wrongfully accused should be at an inner/spiritual peace still walking in the Spirit and Fruits of The Spirit of the Lord.  Gas doesn’t put out a fire only “living water” puts out the fire!

The Truth of Christ is absolute; but absolutely many won’t come to the truth!  When a person seeks self-validation they are not free in the spirit/heart/mind as they are bound by the impressions and influences of others or perhaps their own lack of knowledge, deceit or revelation of Truth.  Self-vindication is based on proving one’s self/character to be right verses living accordingly to what is right.  This is when the temptations of self vindication become works of the flesh and we often respond in the spirits and demeanor of our accusers, cussing, cursing, gossip, slander, accusing and bringing up past relational/personal problems which we have claimed to have forgiven!

Whenever we walk in “works of the flesh” we are not walking in the Spirit of the Lord or the fruits of the Spirit! We are consumed by the needs, opinions, impressions and worthiness in the sight/opinions of others; which is outside of Christ Jesus. 

Jesus didn’t come merely to tell us the Truth, HE REVEALED THE TRUTH!  Truth is a revelation as a revelation has application and implication; which brings light to darkness and deception.  Without revelation truth becomes factual!  This is why the Cross of Christ is foolishness to people because they need a revelation not just words that are true and when we walk in the flesh and not the spirit we block the spiritual revelation from being revealed because we are seeking “self” instead of revealing Christ!  Fallen nature doesn’t redeem fallen nature!  You have responded in the flesh and there is not spiritual truth being revealed.  You likely, raised your voice, gave ultimatums, accused and accursed the very person you want to come to the revelation of truth!  Who would want to come to Christ with that representation of Christ? 

1 Corinthians 1:18 (AMP)

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.

When Jesus asked His disciples who people said that He was they named everything that others claimed Him to be verses seeking the truth of who He was.  When the opinions of men/women were all brought forth Jesus said but who do you say that I am?  Then Peter said you’re the Messiah the Christ!  Jesus said flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in Heaven has revealed this to you! 

Jesus wasn’t/isn’t influenced by opinions He walked/walks in Truth!  If we walk in the Truth of Christ why should opinions define us?  The unsaved/un-regenerated person is a friend of this world (knowingly or unknowingly) and not of the Kingdom of God, do you really expect them to know the truth of the gospel in truthful revelation?  Are you revealing and demonstrating Christ in the fruit of the Spirit to them?  When you seek vindication all you are likely demonstrating/revealing is the fallen nature that the Lord came to deliver us from!  We are not righteous on our own we are only righteous in Christ.  If we walk in the Truth of Christ we should also walk in the Spirit of The Lord as they are not separate!  It is possible to speak what is true and not be “born again” or walk/have the spirit of the Lord.  Jesus did not say you will know them by the words they speak.  He said you will know them by their fruit! Even a lie can be partial truth!  It is possible to be educated in the Word of God and not be “born again” or walking in the Spirit of the Lord.  Even Satan is a master of scripture that is why he manipulates the Word of God out of context and distorts the Truth.  The Word of God is true but is the SPIRIT OF THE LORD THAT REVEALS THE TRUTH.  Legalism uses the Word of God to bind us and restrict us while the Spirit of the Lord uses the Word to redeem, reconcile and give us liberty!  Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty/freedom! 

2 Timothy 3:16 (AMP)

16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

2 Peter 1:21 (AMP)

21 For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so—it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

 2 Corinthians 5:16 (AMP)

16 Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh].

 John 16:13 (AMP)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

When you hold an “offense” (people offend you) you can become offensive!  If “iron sharpens iron” then HUMILITY is the honing oil that allows both people to be sharpened!  Humble people seek the Truth which is pleasing to the Lord in the fruit of the Spirit. They put Christ first and the ways of Christ first seeking the Lord’s revelatory truth!  To truly know Christ is to have peace within us!  The love of Christ casts out all fear!

I’ve heard it said that the Lord doesn’t bring any new revelations!  This is false!  The Lord is always bringing new revelations but NOT CONTRADICTIVE TO HIS WORD, VIRTUES OR ATTRIBUTES!  If the Lord doesn’t bring new revelations then why do we pray?  Don’t we pray for His guidance, wisdom and will to be done!  Do we not pray for revelations through our adversities, tribulations and afflictions? When Moses was told to deliver the Lord’s people He wasn’t given a manual of all the events that would happen in this process?  Moses had no instruction manual however He had a promise as God told Moses bring the Israelites back to the mountain.  Moses now had God’s purpose, promise and destiny without a manual or directions only a directive!  To Trust the Word of God would be to trust the Person of Christ and the Spirit of God!   Jesus is the Word that became flesh, if we abide in Jesus don’t we have the Word written upon our heart?  (John 15)  Imagine the Patriarch of Faith Abraham trying to intellectualize being asked to sacrifice his son?  Imagine getting second, third or forth opinions from others?  Is not faith without works dead!  Is not “works” without faith fleshly, religious or a tradition. 

To win a heart you don’t speak to the mind you speak to the heart in the fruit of the Spirit.  I see post after post and hear sermon after sermon “who knows the heart of a person but only God”…  Well according to Hebrews 4:12 and John 15:5-7 we should know the hearts of people!  If Christ abides in you and the flesh is crucified shouldn’t we have the mind of Christ?  Are we ministering to the minds or the hearts?  Are we walking intellectually or spiritually?  In Romans 10 do we not confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord?  Do we love with our mind or our heart!  Lord help us if we love from our mind as that is the battlefield of spiritual warfare and we are told/instructed to renew our minds through the washing of the Word of God!

Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

John 15:5–7 (AMP)

5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

Jesus didn’t come to play intellectual games he came to redeem the broken hearted, proclaim the “good news”, set the captives free and to reveal the Father!  (Isaiah 61)

John 14:7–9 (AMP)

7 If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.

8 Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father [cause us to see the Father—that is all we ask]; then we shall be satisfied.

9 Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?

John 17:21 (AMP)

21 That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.

Self-vindication is the rollercoaster of emotions and emotions that rule and reign within us is not Christ ruling and reigning within us.  There are many storms in life but only One that can calm the storms of life, Christ Jesus.  Let us deny ourselves and pick up our cross so that Christ may rule and reign in us, through us and to those around us! May the peace of the Lord be with you always for that is the desire of our Lord Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 (AMP)

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]