Today’s devotion is based on Week 1 of “Tough Love”: Sets boundaries! (WATCH HERE)
As I write this, there are nominees from President Trump that are working their way through Senate hearings and confirmation process to head large departments of the executive branch. In these hearings senators are given opportunity to ask questions or make statements to the candidate and the candidate is given (usually) an opportunity to respond. What is trying to be determined is both does the person have the ability to lead the department and do they have the credibility to be trusted in that role.
Both ability and credibility are important to put confidence in someone to lead.
If a person has the abilities to carry out a role, but no credibility, you don’t want them in that role.
If a person has the credibility, but not the abilities, they too shouldn’t be in the role.
You want both.
When Jesus was in Capernaum, people brought to him people who were demon possessed. With Jesus having the ultimate power over Satan and his fallen angels (as he proved earlier in Luke 4 by defeating Satan’s temptations in the desert), the demons had to listen to what Jesus said.
Jesus had both the ability and credibility to drive out the demons.
Luke 4:41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
What is interesting about this encounter is this. The demons KNEW who Jesus was. They knew his power and position were greater than theirs and they had to listen and obey his command. They were ready and able to tell those around that Jesus was the Messiah.
But Jesus didn’t want their witness.
Why?
They weren’t credible.
They had the ability to say, “Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.” But as demons and associated with the Father of Lies, they had no credibility. If Jesus allowed them to be a witness for him, eventually people, who understood Jesus as one who taught truth with authority, would believe the demons had equal credibility to Jesus.
Of course they didn’t and they don’t.
So Jesus told them to not speak.
He did not want a witness from one who was able, but not credible.
Why?
Because tough love prioritizes the truth and the truth from a credible source.
Jesus wanted people to understand, believe and live the truth. The truth wasn’t just spoken words but was backed by the credible source of truth: Jesus.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
This is why it is so important first for us as followers of Jesus to be people of high integrity and credibility. Our witness must be supported by our walk. If you proclaimed faith in Jesus, yet intentionally were cheating, lying, and stealing from your employer, that witness would be unclear. The truth from a source without credibility damages the truth.
This is why when we determine whom we allow to speak into our heart the word of God and build up our faith, we want them to be lovers of God’s truth…all of it. We want to, the best we can on this side of heaven, have people in our lives who are willing to stand with the truth, even when it’s tough and not popular.
Why? Because tough love loves someone and the truth enough to never compromise it or its source.
Apply: Consider your ability and credibility to witness for Jesus. While we are all imperfect, is there an area of your life that, with God’s help, you could work to improve so it gives a more clear witness to the truth? Ask God to show it to you and help you become better at it!
Prayer: Lord, Jesus thank you for your tough love that passionately stands for the truth. Help us to be both a clear and credible witness for your truth. AMEN.