Sand Paper People Test

A while back I wrote a posting called Sand Paper People. It was about those abrasive people that God uses in our lives to smooth out our rough edges. He does this by showing us through our reactions to them some of our own attitudes, thoughts, and issues of the heart that we need to allow the Holy Spirit to work on. I now call this testing ‘The Sand Paper People Test’. Lol..

The ‘Sand Paper People Test’ is meant to build godly character in us. (James 1:2-4) This test of dealing with people who are rude, arrogant, insensitive, negative, religious, self-righteous, or just straight foolish is meant to humble us and help produce the fruits of patience, self-control, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness; which then results in the fruit of joy, peace, and love. (Galatians 5:22-23) Recently the Lord has been showing me in His Word very specifically how to deal with people who say hurtful, inconsiderate, or foolish things. Here is what I have learned:

Make sure your dressed for the occasion.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you MUST clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ABOVE ALL, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

We should always clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. However, when you know in advance that you are going to be around Sand Paper People you need to be sure that you do not leave your house without being prayed up with a humble heart ready to be patient and merciful, willing to overlook other’s faults. Above all ask God to give you a special love for these individuals, because it is love that covers a multitude of sins. (Ephesians 4:2, 1 Peter 4:8)

Remember that God is working things out in both theirs and our lives.

God has a plan and purpose for everything in our life. He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. (Romans 8:28) If He is allowing us to go through this testing of our patience and self-control by dealing with sand paper people, then it’s because He wants to teach us to love people in spite of their foolishness. He is teaching us about humility and meekness. This testing equips us for the new level in Christ that He wants to promote us to.

He is also trying to reach out to the other person. If the person is an unbeliever, we know that it is not God’s will for them to perish, so surely He has us there to show them the love Christ. If we are patient with them and make allowances for their faults they will see this, even if they don’t say it. Then one day they may decide to ask about our Christian hope, which we should be ready to explain in a gentle and respectful way. Even if they don’t receive what we have to say our godly lives will speak to them. They will be won over by observing our pure and reverent lives. (1 Peter 3:2, 3:15-16)

Now if the other person is a believer too then we must remember that we are all at different places in our walk with Christ. Philippians 1:6 is the scripture that the Lord reminds me of when the sand paper person is a Christian, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” We must remind ourselves that just like He is not done with us, He is not done with them either.

Be led by the Holy Spirit and allow Him to control your tongue

We must allow the Holy Spirit to control our tongue, especially when we are around people who become the tool in the hands of the enemy to provoke foolish talks or arguments. (James 1:26) I like what Proverbs 26:4-5 says,

“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.”

These verses show us that sometimes it is best not to respond to foolish arguments because then we are just adding to the foolishness. However, there will be times when we will have to respond and correct in order to stop the foolishness. In either case this proverb is showing that we need to stop the spread of foolishness. One must use wisdom to know the difference and be led by the Spirit of God as to when we should respond and when we should be quiet. You will know when you are not being led by the Spirit when you are reacting hostile, quarreling, and having outbursts of anger. These are not of the Spirit, they are of our own sinful nature. (Galatians 5:19)

God knows that there will be times when the foolishness becomes too much and we want to vent our anger, especially when the person insults us or someone we love. The Lord led me to these scriptures which spoke right to my heart.

Proverbs 29:11 “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back”

Proverbs 19:11 “Sensible people control their temper, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”

1 Peter 2:23 Speaking of Jesus, “He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” - This one is my favorite!

Suffering for good

"But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:20-21

Our Lord is pleased when we suffer for good. Being long suffering, patient, kind, and forgiving to those that have wronged and continue to wrong us a Christ like character that honors God. The ‘Sand Paper People Test’ is good for us because if we endure this testing we will be learning to love like Christ. He is our example to follow. So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just right the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. This is just a refining test to help us grow in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 6:9)