Zip It! Don’t Take the Bait!

(Mark 14:57-61) “Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against Him: “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’  Yet even then their testimony did not agree.  Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer?  What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.”

Satan roams the earth looking for someone to take his bait; the bait that causes dissensions, (I Peter 5:6-11) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 

He wants to stir up trouble, arguments and steal the joy of the Lord from you, your peace and your testimony.  (John 10:10) “The thief comes to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

  As he baited Jesus, he will do the same with you.  He will cause the meaning of your words to be twisted and the person you are talking to will take your words all wrong and conflict arises!  Don’t take the bait!  Before long that person will be angry with you and especially if not a child of God will say all kinds of horrible things to you.  Satan is using them to bait you into an argument.  Don’t fall for it!  Don’t be offended!  (Proverbs 19:11) “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” 

So, when someone offends you, shake it off!  Leave it in God’s hands to bring about justice. He baited Jesus and Jesus kept silent; let us learn from His example and ask the Holy Spirit to remind us in the “heated” times of our life to “don’t take the bait.”  Learn when to speak and when to “zip it.”

 God is your vindicator!  Put it in His hands to bring justice and to repay any wrong done to you!  He can do it better!   (Jeremiah 51:56) “A destroyer will come against Babylon; her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken.  For the Lord is a God of retribution; He will repay in full.” 

The moment you truly give the situation and what is being said against you over to God it will be as a weight lifted off of your heart.  Each time you experience the same type of situation it will get easier and easier to let go and let God.  He is God, but He is also your heavenly Father and He will repay and bring justice to all who have hurt you.

(Jeremiah 51:24) “I will repay Babylon and the people of Babylonia for all the wrong they have done to My people in Jerusalem,’ says the Lord.”

 Let it go, “Zip it” and let God repay!  He will come to your rescue and you will receive double for your trouble!

 (Isaiah 61:7) “Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.”