I Samuel 17:28
‘Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.”’
What an interesting bit of family drama. Here David is on the cusp of a historic battle and his older brother seeks to silence him. It's sad to see how those close to us know how to hurt us. He belittles his job as a shepherd. He also judges his motives as one who seeks to watch the gore that could take place.
While David loves his brother, he is an enemy at this moment. Here the Lord is stirring his heart to confront the giant and the brother is tearing him down. It's times like this that Psalm 23 refers to, "Thou prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies." The brother isn't a forever foe, but he is one at that moment.
It's surprising who can be used by the evil one. In the gospel's, Peter says that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus then praises him and says that God gave this revelation. Peter is feeling awesome. The Lord is giving revelations to him. Jesus then speaks about His death. Peter pulls Jesus aside, still feeling confident about God speaking through him, tells Jesus that it isn't to be so. Then comes Jesus' surprising response, 'But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s”', (Matthew 16:23).
What a shock, first the Lord was using Peter to share a great revelation about Jesus, then shortly thereafter Satan spoke through him. At that moment, Peter was acting as the enemy. David said in Psalm 39:1, 'I said, "I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present."'
It's very simple to sin with our words. Proverbs 10:19 says, "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise." There are some topics that should be avoided. One is talking about others. While it might seem innocent, gossip follows shortly thereafter. Other topics that should be avoided are ones that could be stumbling blocks.
Avoiding these topics could spare others as well as ourselves. We might be surprised by the things that cause people to stumble. Conversely, others may not be aware of what causes us to stumble. Knowingly speaking about offensive topics is sin. We don't want to become the enemy. David's brother became the enemy in that moment. Any of us could do be as well.
Romans 14:15 speaks of being considerate of others when it comes to our own freedoms. It says, "For if on account of food your brother is grieved, no longer are you walking according to love. Do not destroy with food that one of you for whom Christ died", (Romans 14:15). We need to be aware of other's weaknesses. This is being loving. James 2:8 says, 'If indeed you keep the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well'. I love that title, the Royal Law. In God's kingdom, love is the law of the land.
We are to avoid those who cause us to stumble. They may do this out of ignorance. If so, we should tell them so. If they continue, then they are being sinful and we are to avoid them.
Today's verse showed David's brother acting as the enemy. Our words and actions could put any of us in that role. We are to be loving and avoid topics that cause others to stumble.
Lord, help us to walk according to Your law and Your ways. Help us not to be the enemy.