Wednesday, 21 December 2022
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 LSB
“For GOD is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” – Philippians 2:13 NLT
When GOD is at work in our lives, the enemy will always try to counter, and we all know that he’s cunning, so his attacks can be very subtle. When we’re on fire for GOD, he knows that he cannot extinguish the fire, so he’ll find ways to keep turning it down until we’re lukewarm. When we are lukewarm, that’s when he now has the opportunity to snuff the fire out completely. As believers in Christ, we abide in Him and as we walk in obedience, He works in us and gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him, we have no excuse to be lukewarm.
One of the saddest things for me, is that the enemy uses people, and he knows that if he were to use an unbeliever to derail us, we would see it for what it is, so instead, he uses our brothers and sisters in the church. “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT. I am not saying that we should demonize people, or be suspicious of everyone around us; I am saying, however, that every friendship and relationship should be taken to GOD first. He is LORD over our lives after all, right? We need to get the go ahead from Him because He is all-knowing. He knows all our hearts and our motives, and when He says “No”, it is to protect us and our spiritual lives.
As GOD’s righteous ones, we are not meant to fit in with gossipers; be in places that we shouldn’t be; and even entertain wrong relationships- all of these will only leave our souls vexed. Don’t ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit! It’s time to leave that conversation, that place, and for some of us to exit that WhatsApp group, or even block some contacts. “(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” 2 Peter 2:8 KJV. We don’t fit in, we’re not meant to fit in, and we will never fit in. We should surround ourselves with godly people that will strengthen us in the faith and stir up the fire in us for Jesus [in church], we are still expected to be a light in the world.
“Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the LORD. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:17 NKJV. We are called to love everyone, however, our spiritual lives are stuck and even regressing, simply because of our associations. If we are being honest with ourselves many of us can say that since becoming friends with “so and so”, or after getting into this relationship, I’ve lost my fire for the things of GOD. Please hear my heart, I’m not saying people are bad, I’m just saying that some friendships, relationships and associations are not good for us. The enemy will always use our desire to fit in or to be in a relationship to trap us in this area, and 9 times out of 9 it ends in tears. And yes, we will be mocked, laughed at and made fun of, but we must choose Jesus! The joke is on them.
“What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.“ Luke 6:22-23a NLT.
We should surround ourselves with godly people that will strengthen us in the faith and stir up the fire in us for Jesus [in church], we are still expected to be a light in the world.
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