Matthew 21:25-27–The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 

Early on when my kids were toddlers, I made it a point to explain certain things thoroughly.  In spite of being an authority figure to them, I wanted their little minds to understand the truth of the situation. (I also desired peace and sanity)

But of course there is the inevitable rebellion, where what I say, is not what they want to do.  Yet in still, I could use their rebellion to explain how it was wrong according to what is right and true.  But of course there is the rationalizing and justifying of why they think it is right, even though it is clearly wrong!

Jesus encounters the Pharisees, and ask them a question that forces them to tell the truth or lie to themselves to avoid it.  Which means that when God is not our authority, we are, and will preserve “our truth” from such authority at all cost!

This is why being offended at people’s dismissal of the truth, shouldn’t be taken personal as if you are wrong.  Because the acceptance of what is true, is not a personal issue, but a spiritual one.  When pride is dominating us, self-preservation always dismisses what is right and true, to protect what we want to do as our own authority.

Challenge yourself, whether you allow the Word and truth from other people, to prove you wrong by accepting it.  We should do it mainly for the sake of Christ, and harmony with those who strive to do the same.  Because stubborn rebellion causes us to rationalize or justify why we can’t submit to revealed truth, proving that Christ is not the authority, at least presently.

In His Love, Ld