Strength Against Slander
True peace comes from God and should not depend on human opinions.
Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of not being swayed by the opinions of others, urging listeners to focus on their relationship with God and not be disturbed by fleeting words. True peace and glory are found in God, and those who are unaffected by human praise or criticism will experience great peace. Kempis highlights the significance of turning inwardly to God, remaining silent in challenging times, and not letting one's peace be dependent on the words of others.
Text
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, do not take it to heart if some people think badly of you and say unpleasant things about you. You ought to think worse things of yourself and to believe that no one is weaker than yourself. Moreover, if you walk in the spirit you will pay little heed to fleeting words. It is no small prudence to remain silent in evil times, to turn inwardly to Me, and not to be disturbed by human opinions. Do not let your peace depend on the words of men. Their thinking well or badly of you does not make you different from what you are. Where are true peace and glory? Are they not in Me? He who neither cares to please men nor fears to displease them will enjoy great peace, for all unrest and distraction of the senses arise out of disorderly love and vain fear.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Slander
- The Power of the Spirit
- The Importance of Silence
- The Source of True Peace
- Find peace in God
- Do not depend on human opinions
Key Quotes
“You ought to think worse things of yourself and to believe that no one is weaker than yourself.” — Thomas a Kempis
“Do not let your peace depend on the words of men.” — Thomas a Kempis
“He who neither cares to please men nor fears to displease them will enjoy great peace,” — Thomas a Kempis
Application Points
- Practice thinking worse of yourself to avoid being disturbed by human opinions.
- Find peace in God by walking in the spirit and not caring about pleasing or displeasing people.
- Maintain peace by remaining silent in difficult times and turning inwardly to God.