Fighting for the Wrong Side

Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

The council had commanded Peter not to speak the name of Christ, but his response was to obey God rather than men. The Pharisees wanted him silenced so much that they not only wanted him imprisoned, but they wanted him dead. However, Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, wisely counseled these men to give them a little space to see what would become of what they taught. Gamaliel knew that if this work were of God, that they would be fighting against God. He counseled these men to instead let God be the great Judge to expose who is right or wrong; and God did.

In the early year of my ministry, I found myself in a great battle. I went to an older preacher who had a large ministry at the time, and I asked his counsel about what I should do. This man knew about my battle, and he knew what the other side was trying to do to me, and his counsel helped me to know what I needed to do. He said, “Bro. Domelle, I don't know if you are right or if the other side is right, but I do know that time always reveals who is right.” This man was saying what Gamaliel said. He was saying that he would not fight against either side, because if he chose to be on one side and it was the wrong side, he would find himself fighting against God. Instead, this man chose to let God reveal who was right in time, and God did.

Too many people have jumped on the wrong side of a battle to destroy someone or to let their mindset toward that person be tainted, only to find out that they were fighting against God. There are certainly times when the cause of the battle is clear, but more often than not, we don't truly know who is right or wrong. Let me share a couple thoughts on how to handle these situations so that you don't find yourself fighting against God.

First, you don't have to make a decision of who is right or wrong. When the truth is not clear, it would be best not to make a decision about a person or a situation. I have had people ask me about situations, and my response is that it is not my area to care for. I refuse to allow others to dictate my decision on who is right or wrong. I would rather let time be the revealer of right and wrong.

Second, don't involve yourself in something that is not in your area. When the battle does not affect your local church, it is best not to get involved. Most battles are to be settled in the local church and not in a public forum. Therefore, if you choose to fight something that does not involve your local church, you will find yourself fighting against God because He is for the local church.

Third, don't let one battle taint your opinion about a man of God. Too many people have allowed battles to form their opinion of a preacher, and their opinion kept them from allowing that preacher to help them in the future. Do you realize that Paul and Peter had a public disagreement. What if you allowed this public disagreement to cause you to have an opinion against Paul or Peter? You would find yourself fighting against God because God used both of these men.

My friend, time always tells who is right or wrong. The best thing you can do when attacks come your way is to stay busy soul winning and building your ministry for God. Let time be the judge, and you will keep yourself from being on the wrong side of God.