Destroying Others to Make Yourself Look Good

Psalms 52:5–7
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This psalm was written because of the treachery of a man named Doeg (I Samuel 21-22). He was an informer during the reign of David and his career as a terrorist was built on slander and deceit. The tongue of this clever man revealed his evil and corrupt character. His words, sharp as a razor, were  used to destroy anyone who got in his way and brought disgrace to God.

After referring to Doeg’s sin David briefly describes the fate of the sinner. As Doeg had destroyed the entire house of Ahimelech save one (I Samuel 22:17-20), so would God judge him and his family. Doeg had ruled out God and relied on gold (v. 7). In order to look good in the eyes of the king he had unscrupulously tried to destroy others. He did so in order to obtain an award from Saul but in the process received his reward from a greater king than Saul and was destroyed for his wickedness. Judgment day came for Doeg.

One of the hardest battles I have had to face in this life is to have others try to destroy me in order to try to make themselves look good in the sight of others. Many years ago a pastor asked me to take sides in a particular personal problem he was having with a deacon. When I refused to be a part of this personality problem he became angry and threatened to black-ball me with every pastor in that area. Since he had a rather large church and many pastors looked up to him he was successful in turning many against me for many years. At first I wanted to fight back but one day the Lord spoke to me through I Peter 2:19-20 - “For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

Application

If I try to fight my own battles the Lord will let me. If I suffer wrongfully He wants me to “take it patiently” (I Peter 2:20) and leave the judgment of others up to Him.