Crosswalk.com

Parenting by Design - February 23

Fighting in the Spirit

1 Sam. 24:15: "May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand" (NIV).

When Saul turned against David, David was forced to run for his life. At one point, he and his men hid in a cave at the desert oasis of En Gedi. As Saul searched the area for David, he unknowingly entered the very cave where David and his men were hiding. Although David could have easily ambushed and killed him, he refused because he knew Saul was God's anointed king. He left judgment to God.

When someone has wronged us or our children, we are often tempted to seek revenge. We may gossip, give them the "silent treatment," or exclude them. We have a choice, however, to live our lives in the spirit or in the flesh. David refused to fight in the flesh, and left Saul's judgment to the Spirit of God.

Live in the Spirit and allow God to be the judge.