Only Demanding From Others

June/July 1979

Only Demanding From Others

This is demonic; it is in the same class ass only judging others and accusing others. The person who does this is driven by the spirit of making demands; he suffers from the sickness of judging others, and is obsessed by the spirit of accusation. It is clearly evident from Revelation 12:10 that this is satanic: “The accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night . . . .”

Making demands on others, judging and criticizing others instead of judging yourself, and accusing others is altogether demonic.

This is in complete agreement with what James writes about the “wisdom” that is from below, which is demonic. Jas. 3:15. A person who possesses this “wisdom” is wise, smart, and skilled in doing things that are evil.

Demanding the most from others and the least from myself is human, carnal, and sensual. This is reminiscent of the idea of equality. When the theory is equality, the reality is usually that they become superior instead of being equal. This also applies to when demands are to be shared equally. Be careful that you do not demand more from others than from yourself, because it is very human and carnal. It simply will not do. You cannot be properly happy in that way. It does not agree with God’s Word either. You can be heavenly happy only by believing, loving, and obeying God’s Word.

We must definitely not demand anything at all from others. This is spiritual, divine, and heavenly. “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” Luke 6:30. This was an extremely strong light with which Jesus came; it was stronger by far than the light in the old covenant. However, He also came with an unspeakably much greater and more glorious salvation.

Give to everyone who asks you! Stop with everything that is called and is demanding! “And joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods . . . .” Heb. 10:34. This was totally different from demanding! It was the very opposite! It was true, genuine Christianity! Hallelujah! It was just a matter of keeping this commandment of God joyfully, and being in your element by doing it! This applies to all God’s will. It is not accepted by God if we do not do His will with joy and thankfulness. It is divine to do everything with joy and thankfulness!

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20:28. In other words, I must be interested only in what I must do without demanding that others should do anything at all! These are the steps He has left for us to follow.

This agrees completely with Peter’s word about not suffering as a busybody in other people’s matters. 1 Pet. 4:15. Notice that this sin is in the same class as murder. It is obvious that everything must transpire in the best possible way if everyone takes care of his own business instead of other people’s.

It is of vital importance that everything that goes by the name of making demands on others must be eradicated. For example, it must be so thoroughly eradicated as it is stated I Deuteronomy 13:16 so that all possible demands are burnt up, leaving a heap for all times. Let it be done!

All in all, one should neither demand nor expect anything from anyone! This also has the glorious advantage that everything that goes by the name of being disappointed over something or over someone, falls away.

On the other hand, the opposite causes constant disappointments! How foolish that is!

How good it is to live in the following manner: Who is going to pay? I will! Who is going to do this? I will. And who is going to do this? I will. Who is going to do that? I will. Who is going to take care of this? I will. Who is going to organize his affairs better? It is precisely I who will do it. Who ought to do something to improve the situation? It is quite simply I who will do it. Who needs to love more? There is no doubt about it—it is I! I am the man—and this is a great advantage because I have no control over the others; on the other hand, I have control over myself. Glory to God!

This is the way of happiness that is open to me and to you. God success!