Two Things
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There is a proverb among the Ewe people of Ghana which says
“Nya mɛdzina amɛ o. Amɛ e dzina nya.”
to wit
“Trouble does not look for man. It is man that looks for trouble.”
Often, we are very active participants in the processes that lead to our problems. This thought was reinforced by a healing and deliverance lecturer recently when he said,
“Before you go on the tangent of casting out ‘demons’, first find out the person’s own role in the problem.”
“Some problems do not need prayers, but just little changes in how we do things.” he added.
In the past five days, we looked at how Eve’s hearing was compromised by the serpent in the devotional entitled, “The Compromise“; then we looked at how David’s sight was compromised when he saw Bathsheba’s nakedness in “Look Straight!“; then we looked at how a touch that looked usual might have prevented Moses form entering the promised land in “Harmless Touch“; then we looked at how the fragrance of the perfume Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with stirred up greed and theft in Judas’s heart in “Nose of A church Thief.“; and we looked at how Isaac’s love and taste for bushmeat became a destiny changing vulnerability in Isaac’s life in “Taste For Game.“
Basically, the five senses God has given us to live, adapt and subdue the earth have also become the entry points of trouble, evil and sin in our lives. The senses in themselves are not evil. The evil comes in the way we process the signals they pick.
Two things we can do:
First, we should not put ourselves in the situation that can compromise us.
In Proverbs 4:23, believed to have been wisdom Solomon heard from his father David and passed on, we are told:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (NLT)
As one Theologian put it,
“Eve had no business talking to the serpent!”
Often, we put ourselves in situations where we can be compromised:
- that movie we want to watch,
- that visit we know would land us in trouble,
- that document we are not supposed to see,
- that fellowship we want to skip,
- that particular party we want to attend,
- that job that gives us no time to develop our relationship with God,
- those particular friends who make us feel we are losing out on the fun
- that drink we just want to taste
- that embrace or hug we don’t feel good about
- that issue you don’t want to let go
and many more…
Bible tells us to flee! Bible tells us to shun all appearance of evil! Run! Guarding our heart requires filling it with the word of God, on a daily basis. Then we can see evil afar off, and run!
Secondly, our response to the situation is what leads to the compromise, and not the situation itself. Eve could have said,
“Enough serpent! I would rather believe God than believe you!”
David could also have stopped right there when he was told who Bathsheba was.
But their responses encouraged the process, and led to the problems. James 1:14 tells us:
“Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
Paul the apostle also wrote to the Ephesians:
“Do not give the devil a foothold.”
Only two things:
Guard your heart, and do not give the devil a foothold.
MEMORY VERSE
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
(Proverbs 4:23)
QUESTIONS
What situation are you putting yourself in that could potentially lead to problems?
What situation are you in, and how do you handle it such that it will not lead to problems?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me
to guard my heart with
Your word; and give
me the strength to resist
the devil, and not give
him a foothold
in my life.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church where you can Fellowship with like minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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