[2 Samuel 1:11]

“David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news.”

[2 Samuel 14:25]

“Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.”

[2 Samuel 15:2-6]

“He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!” When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.”

[2 Samuel 15:9-12]

“All right,” the king told him. “Go and fulfill your vow.” So Absalom went to Hebron. But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. “As soon as you hear the ram’s horn,” his message read, “you are to say, ‘Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron.’” He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions. While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.”

[2 Samuel 15:13-14]

“A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!” “Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!” David urged his men. “Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.”

Gene Edwards: “In the Kingdom of God, a man who will lead a rebellion, has already proven, no matter how great his words or angelic his ways, that he has a critical nature, an unprincipled character, and hidden motives in his heart. Frankly, he is a thief. He creates dissatisfaction and tension in others, and then, either seizes control for himself or recruits followers to his cause. The followers he gets, he uses to found his own little kingdom. Such a sorry beginning, built on the foundation of insurrection… No, God never honors division in his kingdom… Men who lead rebellions in the spiritual world, are unworthy men.”

CRITICAL SPIRIT

1. Recognize you’re not all good yourself

[Matthew 7:3-4]

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?”

2. Remember what you’ve come from

[Ephesians 4:32]

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

3. Give thanks

[Ephesians 5:20]

“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

UNPRINCIPLED CHARACTER

[Romans 5:3-4]

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

HIDDEN MOTIVES

Here’s a good question to determine if you might have a hidden unhealthy motive…

• Are you able to serve them?
• Can you pray for God to bless them?
• Why or why not?

[James 5:16]

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

How do you know you’re not resisting the very thing God has brought into your life to make you strong, to make your whole, to grow you into the person he’s always intended you to become?