Micah7:8 'Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
DO NOT DESPISE THE WOUNDED SOLDIER
Over the years, I have observed something that needs to be corrected among believers. I noticed that once a kingdom soldier is overtaken in a fault, instead of restoring the person and praying for them, most believers despise and gossip about the fellow. No thanks to social media. Believers now use the internet to gossip and amplify things that should make them weep in intercession. Paul told us what should be done to those caught in a fault: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted"(Galatians 6:1 KJV). Did you read Paul's admonition on what our attitude should be? We have a duty to catalyse the restoration of wounded soldiers in the spirit of meekness knowing that we can be tempted as well.
I mentioned in previous devotional that overconfidence kills in this warfare. Most times, if you check the attitude and mindset of believers that despise wounded soldiers, they act as though they are immune to falling. I heard about a brother who boasted openly that if he sees the nakedness of a fair lady, nothing would happen. The devil employed an agent to bring him down and he fell flat. Everyone must deal with spiritual pride. It is subtle but it kills slowly. Proud people don't last in this race. When you see a soldier that is wounded, pray, counsel and help bind his wounds. Stop gossiping in the guise of trying to raise prayer altar. It is in the place of trying to tell other believers to pray that secrets are exposed to those that cannot handle it. Stop trying to act as a church police, lawyer and supreme court judge on a matter that should be tabled before God. A Yoruba adage says, "the death that is killing your mate is also speaking to you in proverbs".
Sometimes, people rejoice seeing and hearing about a wounded soldier. In these days of internet, I perceive that strongly. The faux pas of Pastors trend more on the internet than their exploits. This is what people in other religion hardly do to their own. I am a preacher of hope for the wounded. If the same Peter that denied Jesus became a great Apostle, then you can be restored and even be greater than where you were before falling. Brethren, stop the gossip. Start praying for the restoration of our wounded soldiers. I noticed that there are many wounded soldiers who could have confided in some brethren but because they're not sure of what may happen after, they kept mute. Do not despise the wounded soldiers as though they are not loved by God anymore. As far as God is concerned, their sins no longer exist in God's record after repentance. Why give yourself headache about a man whose sins have been forgiven and washed?
Father, use me to restore the wounded soldiers and keep me from falling in Jesus name.