The Ultimate Immunity Challenge
In the Survivor series, contestants are challenged to win immunity—a
guarantee that they cannot be voted out of the game by their
opponents at the tribal council. In the local church version of
Survivor, we are challenged to position ourselves to be immune to
the attacks of our spiritual enemy. One of the ways we can do this
is by understanding how to deal with the issue of offenses.
Nothing brings believers into defeat quicker than unresolved
offenses. The enemy uses offenses to create an atmosphere of
hostility and tension in a church. His goal is to sow seeds that
lead to slander, backbiting and gossip.
Once those dynamics are in operation, the church’s mission is
jeopardized because everything centers around selfish interests.
Worst of all, the Holy Spirit is grieved, and close fellowship with
Him is broken.
We can overcome the challenge of offenses by choosing the pathway of
peace. Sue had worked hard to prepare for her ministry to the 4- and
5-year-olds on Sunday morning. She knew how important children were,
and she didn’t mind the extra responsibility when her turn came to
help out in children’s ministry.
Though it wasn’t an easy job, Sue took special care to make sure
that the children would enjoy their time learning about God’s Word.
When Troy slipped and banged his forehead on a bookshelf, Sue felt
terrible. She tried to explain how it happened to his mother, but
before she could finish, Troy’s mom interrupted curtly and accused
Sue of neglecting the children. Those words were like arrows in
Sue’s heart.
But Sue was a strong believer and decided not to react unkindly or
become offended. She knew that offenses could rob her of the
blessings God had for her in children’s ministry. Later on, she was
able to smooth things out with Troy’s mom, and they became close
friends as a result.
Jesus marked out the pathway to peace in the local church, where He
knew that issues would arise between believers. He said, “If your
brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and
him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matt.
18:15). These powerful words confront us with at least three
challenges we must press through when we are offended:
1. Can we keep it honest? When Jerry asked Marvin why he was
upset, Marvin shot back, “I am not upset!” Oh, really? We need to
get truthful with ourselves and then with those who have offended
us. Cover-ups and denial are unhealthy and make us an easy target
for the enemy. Jesus said, “Go tell your brother what your issue
is.”
2. Can we keep it private? When we go to our offender, we
must do it privately. It’s a mistake to bring others into our
offense, even under the veil of “sharing prayer needs.” Telling them
of our hurt is a cheap attempt to chip away at the offender’s
character, and a harmful violation of the spirit of unity and love.
3. Can we keep it redemptive? According to Jesus, the goal is
to regain our brother. That’s the power of the cross working in our
relationships. We’ve all seen attempts at reconciliation end up in a
mess because the goal was to set the record straight instead of
regain fellowship. But victory doesn’t come when we humble our
offender or prove him wrong; it comes when we make a faithful effort
to restore the relationship.
By the way, keeping spiritual immunity involves a responsibility to
listen when someone comes to us with a relational issue. Let’s hear
what the person is saying and examine ourselves to see if his
perspective has merit. If there is a hurt, let’s do our part to get
it healed and move forward to a place of greater maturity.
We face an immunity challenge every time an opportunity for offense
arises. Will we pick up the offense and risk losing our connection
to God’s people, or will we choose forgiveness and reconciliation?
If we are wise, we’ll follow the words of Jesus and keep it honest,
private and redemptive.
What if we find ourselves in a spiritually unhealthy atmosphere? Is
there ever a time when we might need to leave a church in order to
remain a healthy survivor?
It is true that some church environments are toxic and even abusive.
In those situations, we need to seek the counsel of mature and
healthy believers and pray about God’s order for our lives. He may
well lead us to leave, but it is important that we “go out with joy,
and be led forth with peace” (Is. 55:12). It is never right to react
out of offense or to create a division that brings harm to others.
You and I are not called to play games, but we are called to be
spiritual survivors. Isaiah prophesied of a spiritual nation that
would overcome the dangers of their day: “For out of Jerusalem will
come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal
of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (Is. 37:32, NIV).
I believe we are the survivors God is passionately calling forth. It
would be great if every local church were completely safe. But then,
where would the challenge be, and how would we grow in a spiritual
hothouse? If we’ll apply the survival skills we find in God’s Word,
He will zealously watch over us to see that we thrive in the local
church.
Let’s renew our commitment to the local church. When we face pain,
let’s stay on the pathway of peace. And whatever we do, let’s not
give up on the very real blessings churches bring to our lives.
We’re called to be survivors, and that’s a challenge we need to face
together!
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Cannistraci, David "You Can Be a Church Survivor" Charisma
Magazine February 2005: 30.
