YOUR SPIRITUAL WALK AND “FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHT”

About ten years ago, my sister-in-law came to Eruwa a few weeks before delivery. During her stay, her office requested that she needed to come and get some things fixed. It was meant to be a short trip to and fro for a maximum of five hours. I thought I could catch up with office work.

As the day turned out, it became a full-day affair. I had to wait for her all day. We did not get back to Eruwa until late in the evening. 

The following morning, I heard her telling Mum that she wanted to get her fish, but I refused to stop so she could buy it. I got angry and said to her, “I sacrificed my full day for you. You did not appreciate that. All you remember is the fish. And I explained to you that I do not like driving at night.” I was angry. 

But then the Holy Spirit stepped in about ten minutes later with a firm instruction- “Go and apologize.” “Holy Spirit, I am the one that needs an apology here,” I responded. Then He went quiet on me. I went to apologize to her, and then she equally did, and peace reigned. 

One of the things that will stunt your growth spiritually and hinder your walk with God is insisting on your right rather than obeying the instructions of the Lord. You will be in moments when you will be right, but God will ask you to choose peace. It pains, but it is your circumcision- a cutting away of fleshly and carnal tendencies. 

There is no other pathway into a glorious spiritual life outside the crucifixion of the flesh. The flesh will scream, but it has to be mortified. 

For instance, marriage involves two people ready to forgive and forbear one another. There are times that you must be mature enough to say “I am sorry” even though it is clear that you are right. Marriages crash when you have two “Personal Rights Activists” in the union. When you know you are there to serve the purpose of God and the pleasure of one another, you will forget about rights and serve each other in love. 

Paul made a reference to this about the rights he had, but he put it up for the sake of Christ: 

If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:12 NIV

What is the dividing line here? When fighting for your right becomes a hindrance to the gospel, and especially when it is disobedience to the prompt and instructions of the Holy Spirit, you will need to exercise caution, apply brakes, repent genuinely and ask for the help of the Lord in that matter. 

It is always better to obey God in all matters than to have your way and be caught in the web of disobedience. 

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa.