3/27/24- Say What?

What human likes to be told what to do?

I haven't met anyone as of yet who likes to be told what to do. We may ask for advice from others, but it is definitely received best when phrased in an indirect way or from a personal point of view.

My husband is the king of telling me how to drive. Before I have backed my car down the driveway, I've got my plan in my head on the path I have chosen to drive to my destination. I'm learning that it never fails, he will throw out a directive, “Turn left up here.” I recently came up with my favored response that keeps my annoyance more at bay. I now respond with, “You do know that I drive by myself and reach my destination when you aren't with me, right?” Of course, I just came up with this response the last time we were together. After we arrived where we were going, I kind of mumbled under my breath, “your way would have been faster.”

The reason his instruction sparks anger from within me is because now I have to try to accommodate him, and consider a different path in my head, when I had already come up with my plan. There is an easier path and those who love us want to help us find that easier path.

I was thinking about ways that Jesus showed His love to others when He was with large crowds or with His disciples. He spoke in parables. He never directly told His listeners what to do.

Evidently, Jesus, who was from God, knew that people wouldn't want to be told what to do. He knows the human heart and mind and therefore knew the best way to communicate to those who listened to Him speak.

Jesus also resisted being told what to do. When the devil told him to make stones into bread to prove He was the Son of God. Jesus answered, “It is written, that ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4: 4

He tried testing Jesus again, he said to Jesus “If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down,” from a pinnacle of the temple.

Jesus responded saying, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Matthew 4: 7

A third time the devil tempted Jesus by showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Matthew 4: 9- 11

The words of God were inside Jesus for God was with Him. He rebuked all temptations the devil made to Him by speaking the word of God, and told the devil to leave. Then the devil left Him.

Knowing and studying God’s word helps protect us from the tempers. Knowing God’s word encourages us to walk with God in love and righteousness. Keeping His word in our hearts allows each one of us to have support as we walk through each and every day. We are not alone in our daily walk.