Twins

Twins

Vaunt – to boast about or praise, especially excessively.

Meek – quiet, gentle, not willing to express one’s opinion in a forceful way.

     Not identical at birth but rather conceived to show contrast.  Fraternal in nature, these spirits bounce off each other like little tykes in daycare.  Diaper change time and we get to inspect them more closely.

1 Corinthians 13:4 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”

     Charity is love put on wheels.  Like an action verb, it is a driving force behind its conditions.   Charity works backstage not blowing its own horn.  Although displaying great accomplishments, charity in modesty hesitates to sign its name to any masterpiece.  Rather, it directs attention to the Giver of the talent.  Satan is our example in the negative.  He vaunted himself over God when he sought to rise above His throne.  God, in judgement, threw him down declaring what fruit that line of showmanship produced.  To vaunt rots the tree from the branches to the trunk.  Hence, vaunting puts one at risk to defend one’s claims.  Quite often, when mixed with pride, the line is overstepped and altercations threaten.  But the Lord desires another way:

1 Peter 4:3 “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

     Although describing a woman, God values this for all His children.  Meekness states clearly, “I don’t want to fight.”  In a street skirmish, we see the offended man back up with hands raised.  Willing to surrender rights to keep the peace, meekness reserves its defense and waits on God to exonerate.  It is God who will reward.

 Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

     Peace precursors love as a hallmark of His children.

Ephesians 4:3 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

     Do we never fight?  No.  Jesus cleared the temple with a whip.  He launched an attack against religious rulers.  His cutting words drew blood in their reasoning.  We fight to defend others.  A word spoken against the Son of man will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.  Jesus got up in arms defending the Spirit of His Father.  His hands hit the holster.

     In personal attacks, He commands us to turn the other check not returning evil for evil.  Impulsive self – defense He denounces.  Whether by word or by blow, He forbids the spirit of vengeance.  Desiring to see one’s enemy suffer is not His way.

     Leaving a vaunting spirit, we can choose meekness today.  We can follow Jesus to the cross and resist not.  His surrender brought peace. 

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