The Church of the Living God is at a crossroads with conflicting doctrines, traditional teachings and doctrines of the devil, and this has not only brought confusion to children of God but has weakened their faith. Many are presently in the valley of decision and needs to be encouraged.
The truth should be sought out and upheld, as Paul would say, “in season and out of season”. This is what we believe. Join us and leave your comments as we explore this together.
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After the fall of Adam, God entered another phase of His plan: a complete separation.
Adam sold the world to satan and man was powerless against the strong man.
God made a promise to send His Son to bind the strong man, destroy his works and set the captives free, for the purpose of separation.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” – 2 Cor 6:14-17 (KJV)
CHRISTMAS IS A CALL FOR A COMPLETE BREAK!
From what?
From this world and its system!
‘And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.’ – Luke 2:7 (KJV)
There was no room for the Lord Jesus! The world would not accommodate Him! Indirectly the world told Him He did not belong here!
With His birth a new Kingdom was born; a spiritual kingdom. A Kingdom God wants us to be separated to.
“And be not conformed to this world.” – Romans 12:2 (KJV)
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” – 2 Cor 6:17 (KJV)
Every other thing done in Church is secondary! Be separated from this world! This is the primary reason for the birth of Jesus; NOT TO MAKE US RICH, but to separate us from this world for God and unto God!
This can be done through:
(1) THE BLOOD. This is the initial power that broke us loose from the clutch of satan. It has been done for us by the Lord Jesus when He shed His blood to save (separate) us. We have been called out of darkness!
”But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” – 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
(2) THE WORD. Retaining and maintaining this separation can only be done when we retain His word. This is our part in overcoming the enemy. Retaining the word, letting it dwell in us richly in all wisdom, circumcises our heart, strengthening us to stand, resist the devil and do the will of God that is why David said: “your word have I hid in my heart so that I will not sin against you.”
Where the world wouldn’t have room for Him we should, by allowing His word change our Character and speech!
“……but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2 (KJV)
Let us allow the Word of God separate us from the world by transforming and circumcising our heart.
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” – Romans 2:28-29 (KJV)
Without this, Christmas is just a pagan worship!
Lesson no 3
God chooses us whilst still in the fire of affliction.
“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10).
And not everything can pass through the fire and remain the same. Most things would change or be mangled, yet this is where we are chosen.
As in the case of Hezekiah when God pulled back to watch his reaction:
“Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.” (2 Chronicles 32:31).
God watches His children as they pass through the fire to see their reaction.
Would you change as you go through the fire? Would you be deformed or mangled when you come out at the other side of the fire?
This tells if you are matured or not for promotion.
God watched to see if we would allow the enemy take away our joy, our confession, the thought in our hearts.
Would we engage in character assassination, fight tooth for tooth and eye for an eye?
Or would we keep standing holding firmly to His word and praying for those who persecute us and despitefully use us?
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ” (Matthew 5:44)
Would we change? That is why it is a trial!
Walking with God can be demanding sometimes, especially when it has to do with relating to others; and most especially if they have hurt you so deeply you decide to “avoid” them; not necessarily malice but holding them at arms length, not to be hurt again by them.
After publishing post four of this serial, God spoke to me at five-thirty (5:30) am.
I do morning cry from 4:30am to 5:30am. This day, Thursday 16th of November I spoke from the gospel of Matthew,chapter 25, the Groom and the ten Virgins. I spoke particularly on the trimming of the lamp and the significance of the wick. Rounding up with a prayer at 5:30 the Lord broke forth with a command to go to Judith and pray for her and her house hold!
Ah! Why Lord? With all that she did? Not that I haven’t forgiven but to go there?
My wife and I have learnt over the years to forgive even in advance but not give room to be offended a second time.
But God rules in the affairs of men!
“But God”, I argued, “I have been there twice before and no good came out of it.”
“Go and pray with her.”
“Lord is this really you or is it my mind?”
God will not go into an argument..
Many Christians cast aspersion on the Prophet Jonah for running away to Joppa.
Honestly I felt like running away! What would people in that little community think of me? The flesh was speaking. Especially knowing Judith would announce I came to beg her!
Unknown to me, I was to put in motion that age -old principle that says the way of victory is the way of the cross; the way of shame!
The hurdle is always the flesh!
I told my wife and left to Judith’s. To the glory of God her husband was home but she was not.
He was shocked seeing me. Nevertheless I told him my purpose of coming. I thought he would not accept my prayer. But he did.
As I left their house and started for home, I saw Judith coming so I waited. After praying for her, we had a little discussion. She had gone to call a nurse for her most Junior daughter who was ill.
Asking if they would permit me pray for her, they ushered me into the room where she laid.
Afterwards I said goodbye to them and left.
Back home my joy knew no bounds. I sensed in the spirit that God was up to something!
It is in the darkest hour of the day, that light shines the brightest! God within this season, opened up a door of ministry that we never saw. Details will be given but not now; at the maturity of the testimony.
May we not change but keep doing good. For whatsoever we sow we shall reap.
I struggled whether or not to publish this article. After one year I finally made up my mind to have it published. Be blessed as you thank the Lord with us.
The time was 10:15pm on the 9th day of October, 2016, and I was speechless.
Meanwhile, my wife laughed until we got home. We were both uncomfortable after the “okada” (motorcycle) rider miscalculated in the flood and like a tipper would tip sand off its bucket or tray, the okada’s front wheel lifted off the ground. Thankfully to God, our feet were firmly on the ground before we could be “tipped” in the muddy water. There we were, standing in the pool of water that reached just below the knee.
That was what made me speechless. I couldn’t curse, scream, laugh or cry; I think I was simply dumbfounded!
But, you may wonder, where we were coming from at that time?
We were returning home to Magbon, close to Badagry, from Dansol High School Agidingbi, Ikeja for a fund-raising concert, jointly organized by Church Music Network (CMN) and Dansol Christian Mission; and hosted by Daddy and Mummy Akinyemiju.
The evening started with an opening prayer followed by a session of soft gospel songs by Church Music Network (CMN) musicians. All the songs ministered were theirs: original compositions; awesome songs! No doubt the group under the leadership of amiable Pastor Lanre Oyeneye, is set to change the face of gospel music, not only in Nigeria but beyond.
The gala night was to raise funds for the Magbon charity school building project.
A brief history about the building project was given by the President of Dansol Christian Mission, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju.
She narrated how three years ago (now four), Dansol Schools visited our mission station at Magbon, where the Lord sent us to work for Him. My wife and I pastor an Assembly of Christian believers, STONES OF FIRE BIBLE CHURCH, and run a purely Christian school, MAVIZZION SCHOOLS, which caught the attention of Mrs Akinyemiju, a God-fearing woman with a passion both for missions and the provision of high quality education to the poor and less privileged.
Okoagbonla, precisely where the Lord sent us, is a small river Rhine community off Magbon Town in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The town as a whole, as at the time of this write-up, does not have a Government School: Primary or Secondary. To fill this gap and meet the need for quality education, Private schools were established.
However, at Okoagbonla community, now a CDA, there was no school; Government or Private.
At the bushy end of this community, close to the lagoon is where the mission field is cited.
Some Dansol students at the foundation laying.
As missionaries, we were sent to give to the children of this community, the opportunity for a qualitative education whilst pointing them to the Lord Jesus Christ.
This was certainly beyond us! We knew we could not do it all by ourselves; like Jonah we fled from Okoagbonla and went back to the city, with the accompanying comfort. We did not want to be in the bush! Away from the city and civilization? And what more, a water-locked bush with reptiles and wild animals?
Nevertheless, the Lord’s will shall be done, not ours, so after over three months, we came back to Okoagbonla. It has not been easy, especially with the absence of good water, drainage and good road.
The first time the students and staff of Dansol Schools (Dansol Missions) visited three years ago (now four) and saw the school in the bush; the classrooms, and the joy with which the children learn despite the harsh environment, they promised to help. That day they came with clothes, school bags, exercise books, shoes and water bottles as charity to our pupils.
Dansol Missions took up erecting an “n” shaped building (pardon my description I’m not a builder). They tasked themselves, gave sacrificially, brought in an Engineer, Pastor Adebayo, a Missionary that offered his service free as his contribution to the work of God.
One night the community was roused awake with the sound of trailers bringing in materials for the work as some items could not be brought in the day because of the “omoniles” – land owners (?), who charge money on every truck bringing in building material. The earth shook with the sound of the vehicles.
Dansol charity project Magbon. The work so far.
Tons and tons of granite, tippers of filling and sharp sands, hundreds of bags of cement, tons and tons of iron rods, sheets upon sheets of various planks, etc, and three years later, the difference is clearly visible. A three-plank deep foundation was cast, a thick layer of German-floor was made after the matting, before thousands of nine-inch blocks were brought in and laid on the foundation.
No language could adequately describe the excitement of the children who do not fail to pray for the students, staff, parents and management of Dansol Schools.
The building project was at Iintel level as at the time of the concert and the writing of this article.
We, my wife and I, have tasted and seen that indeed God is good and true to His word that He would raise helpers if we are willing and obedient to forget about ourselves, our comfort and do His will.
Our heart-felt and sincere prayer for Dansol students remain that God would uphold and keep them as Living Stones wherever they may find themselves.
For the good heart of Pastor Oyeneye and the entire CMN that thought up the concert, may God cause men to remember them for good and take them to higher heights.
For Daddy and Mummy Akinyemiju, God has made them pillars in His house, may they continue to enjoy the strength and joy of the Lord. I believe sincerely that they would finish this race strong. On behalf of Mavizzion Schools, we say thank you Sir; thank you Ma.
For the entire members of Dansol Mission, we may not know you all by name; but God knows you. He will raise helpers for you and establish your going out and your coming in. In the Name of Jesus.
May the joy of the Lord fill the hearts of every partner in this project.
In the matchless Name of Jesus. Amen.
Serving as a missionary is perhaps one of the most difficult part of Ministry. Having served in the city as a pastor, and serving now as a missionary, I can tell the difference!
In the city, you are in the midst of fairly civilized people, if they are not. You have people who understand ministry and ministers; a mixture of people which includes those that will accuse the minister and those that will defend him. It is not always so in a small community in the outskirts of the city, where most are unlearned and under exposed! They only want to accuse you! It is tough!
The journey started when the Lord asked me to relieve a woman of her duty in the school. For discretion, I will call her Judith.
My wife and I, to the glory of God, run a school where Judith worked with us as a teacher.
She and her family had joined us in Church. She used to come sweep and arrange the Church on service days, yet would not come till toward the end of the message; if she manages to come. Every month end, the Church gave her a stipend to assist her.
We took Judith and her family as part of ours: not just as Church family but as our own family. We opened our doors completely to them; even gave our keys to them!
The bonding was there to the extent we exchanged meals, the children stayed with us a couple of days when their parents traveled.
Though not a qualified teacher, my wife picked her as she had no job, to come assist in the school as a way of further helping her: at the end of every month she would earn a salary. We believe there is a lot of confidence in what you earn than in what you are given.
My wife groomed her and constantly monitored both her and what she taught the children; for she was given the kindergarten class.
In Church, she was not frequent, but we believed God to touch her as He touched the children. The eldest, a boy, in the secondary school, learnt to play the drums and the second, a girl, God groomed and blessed with the gift of leading praise. Apart from the eldest, the rest of Judith’s children schooled with us.
Their father, we will for this writing call Benjamin, used to drive a commercial bus, but was not making ends meet.
We were thrilled when he had a job prospect with a motor company (whose name I will not give for discretion). However he needed a surety! Due to the relationship, he came to me when no one was willing to help.
….. continued in https://jimout2002a.wordpress.com/2017/10/29/journey-through-hell-2/
“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:4-5.
At creation Adam was bright, he was a star.
Jesus called us the light of the world.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” – Matt 5:14
Adam, the light of the world, went off into darkness when he disobeyed God; and Man consequently went into darkness. He was naturally alive; he could move, talk, do things but eternally dead. He could only survive in his immediate environment. Even there, in his environment, he died slowly.
In His love for us, God sent Jesus to restore the life to us. So,
“…in Him was life” – John 1:4a.
That means that the life we live now is not the real life! The real life is in Jesus!
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” – John 10:28 KJV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (KJV)
“Whosoever believes.” It is by covenant, by agreement; not a must, nor by force.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” – John 1:12 (KJV)
This covenant life is beyond dying in an accident, or being killed by witches, or agents of darkness. No! This kind of life – ZOE – is above and beyond the dark powers!
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” – John 1:5 (KJV)
This covenant life is more than surviving in this life.
Again, this kind of Life is beyond living in eternity. Everybody lives in eternity, even the wicked!
This kind of Life refers to the quality in THAT life! Not the quality attached to our natural life, such as cars, houses, clothes, perfume, etc. You cannot carry any of these into eternity.
WHAT IS THIS COVENANT?
Know God!
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” – John 17:3 (KJV)
God desires that we know Him. Whoever fails to know Him is rejected!
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” – Romans 1:28 (KJV)
God rejects whoever refuses to retain Him in his/her knowledge; one who fails to know Him. This is what He desires of us: “know Me!”.
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6 (KJV)
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” – Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
This is not knowing the word of God, but knowing Him. It is not preaching the word of God, but knowing the God of that word. Moses knew His word but asked to know Him; regardless of miracles. Paul knew His word but asked to know Him; regardless of revelations.
Knowing Him is more than knowing His word. It is experiencing Him, being in awe of Him, giving Him honour; walking with Him, talking with Him and obediently doing His will.
Taste Him and see!
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF KNOWING HIM?
1) Your degree of relating to God will be greatly enhanced.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” – James 4:8 (KJV)
Your degree of relating to all of creation goes beyond your immediate environment.
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” – Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)
3) The above point makes it possible for you to survive everywhere as all of creation will be in harmony with you. Creatures die when taken out of their natural habitat, but with this higher life, you survive in places others die; having passed from the finite to the infinite realm.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” – John 5:24-25 (KJV)
4) Your present life becomes fuller and richer as all creation become responsive ans sensitive to you. No struggle.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 (KJV)
5) You become more fulfilled; happier, because this is God’s purpose and intention for you.
HOW DO WE MAKE THIS COVENANT ACTIVE?
“Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.” – Luke 22:28-29 (KJV)
FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM IN SUFFERING!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” – Phil 3:10 (KJV)
“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” – Luke 17:1 (KJV)
Trials are a part of the Christian call; part of God’s will for us.
Promotion comes after successfully enduring trials: when we prove ourselves on top of the trial; when we go through trials without loosing our saltines, our goodness.
To be on top of the trials, you need to know four things.
(1) Know where you are.
You need to do an honest appraisal or evaluation of what has befallen you.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” – 2 Cor 13:5a (KJV)
Is it possible you are responsible for what befell you? Could you have done something that led to what situation you are in?
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” – 1 Peter 4:15 (KJV)
Be honest with yourself.
If you cannot be honest with yourself, you cannot be honest with anyone; not even with God! Self-respect comes from being true to who you are. When you respect yourself others will respect you.
Do not try to be another person or lie to yourself just because you want to avoid being blamed.
Withdraw to the deepest part of you where no man can come: your husband, your wife, your children. A place Jesus would call the “secret place”; and truly examine yourself.
“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” – Psalms 4:4 (KJV)
Sometimes the behaviour of people toward us is actually a reaction to what we have said or done! Clear your conscience!
Repent and ask God’s forgiveness, if you find yourself guilty in any way.
But after searching and you find no fault with you, rejoice!
(2) The second thing to know is that a better and greater life is ahead of you!
The sun is always above. After the planted seed has probed it’s surrounding with its roots and settled itself (as in confirming that its darkness experience is not its making), it looks up to the Sun!
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore “ – Psalms 121:1-8 (KJV)
Look up to the Sun of Righteousness!
It shall be well! Everything will turn out to your favour!
……… to be continued.
TREES 4
Every time you respond positively to a suggestion, good or evil, you make it your own, and you will not remain the same afterwards. It leaves you better or worse.
This is the process that opens the door, and the reason we should be careful what we hear and how we hear!
Eve shouldn’t have had the discussion with the serpent. She should not have welcomed it or entertained it after the suggestion it put forward, against the instruction that God gave.
“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” – 2 John 1:10-11 (KJV)
This discussion injected the rebellious thought in her heart.
What have you been listening to? And who have you been listening to? God is interested!
He asked Adam “Who told thee that thou wast naked?” – Gen 3:11a (KJV)
God is interested in the company you keep!
He queried Hezekiah on the visitors he received.
“Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.” – 2 Kings 20:14 (KJV)
Like a caring father would be interested in the company the children keep, God monitors our company and what we hear, as they may be damaging or injurious to our well-being.
Thought is simply discussing with an unseen entity; God or satan.
We attract unseen forces through the thoughts in our heart. We are magnets; human magnets! What you think comes to you!
“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” -Job 3:25 (KJV)
Fear is thought!
Most often people invite demons into their lives through thought. How?
“Fleecing” thoughts!
When they forecast, through the use of kola-nuts, the dice, coins, crystal ball, cowrie shells, Ouija boards, tarot cards, horoscope, scrying mirror, etc. Demons see these “thoughts” that are projected and are drawn to its source!
Every thought that lacks “pureness”, the presence of God, invite demons!
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Phil 4:8 (KJV)
to be continued.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. ” (Proverbs 4:23). TNLT
Watch the information you receive because now, man has opened the other door!
A sponge soaks in everything presented to it; water, powder, oil, dust, even sand. With a little pressure, either through squeezing or beating, it releases part of its content.
The heart is like that. It soaks up every information presented to it. With the pressure of everyday, they come out as actions and attitude. The information you digest form the actions that become you!
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” – Proverbs 23;7a
Because of free-will, every information or knowledge you receive comes to you as a suggestion. Not a force or a thing of compulsion. You are responsible for your actions!
Neither God nor Satan will force you.
God punished Adam and Eve, not just because they received information from another source but because they CHOSE to believe that voice! It was a suggestion that Eve received from the serpent. A suggestion or advice. An advice, is a thing that can either be accepted or rejected. The point where the suggestion is received and begins to be “desirable” is the point of choice; the point of “open eyes”, where the “door” of evil knowledge is opened.
Through your thought, you surrender to either side. Your actual person is determined by your thought. You cannot be bigger, better or different than your thought.
“And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death.” (James 1:13-15 TNLT).
“The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust.” (James 1:14 MSG).
It is your own evil desire, the final conclusion of your thought process that drags you away from God.
Though your thoughts are not visible in that they cannot be seen physically, your actions play them out!
The process starts as a suggestion or advert; aimed at making you participate or patronize.
“See how beautiful this tree is. Its fruit will make you wise!”
“Will it, really?” You reply, curious.
Or
“Someone may be hiding in the dark!”
“Oh, that’s true!” You reply in fear.
Every suggestion or advert targets your will. You either walk away or participate. The decision is always yours!
Every time you respond positively to a suggestion, good or evil, you make it your own, and will not remain the same afterwards. It leaves you better or worse.
This is the process that opens the door!
This is the reason we should be careful what we hear and how we interpret what we hear!
To be continued.
For as long as man sits there against the will of God, he remains under the control of Satan.
The question is, how did the image get here?
Man brought it in when he opened a door that should have remained shut!
Through his desire, Man opened a door too powerful for him to shut.
“HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1). AMP.
“An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1). – New English Bible.
A man’s desire misleads him.
“Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.” (James 1:14). TNLT
Man fell when the door of desire was opened in him.
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6).
Now the mind has got two open doors! The door of good and the door of evil! The door of the Spirit and the door of the carnal.
This means that the heart of man from where thoughts originate to make the man who he is, can be accessed by either God through the good door or by the devil through the evil door! This is what corrupted the heart and made it deceitful and wicked!
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Now there is confusion!
Before the fall of Adam, only one door was open: the door of good. The other door was shut, passive. Adam opened it when he chose to willingly disobey God. Man’s mind has since then been in a battle. A battle to know direction!
God had told Adam not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and Evil.
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:17).
It is like saying “don’t depend on the product of this chamber; just obey me, follow what I say!”
Man could make plans but they have to be based on instruction from the Lord.
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9).
Man’s every step should be on the directions of God!
“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1).
No matter your plan, thought or word, God should guide you.
A man should not direct his steps.
“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23).
“Man that walketh” means man that is alive! If he should not direct his ways, who should?
“Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24).
Man was not to know good and evil. He was to know only good.
“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil. (Genesis 3:22a)
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” (3 John 1:11).
God should guide us.
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21).
“You will hear a word ……… this is the way.” Information activates thought. Knowledge is of the heart/mind. Knowledge is nothing but information we have received; which in turn activates our thinking. The things we hear, see, perceive, touch, taste, make us think.
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35).
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:28).
The children of Israel thought defeat after they received information from the spies.
“And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.” (Numbers 13:32)
“And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.” (Numbers 14:1).
Eve thought after receiving an information.
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6).
What she heard opened the eyes of her heart and she “saw that the tree was good ….. and a tree to be desired to make one wise.”
Information makes one think!
The devil did not tell Adam he was naked. How did he know? He knew after he ate the fruit, an information that made him think!
When he said he was naked, God was like, “what led you to that, have you received information that I did not give you?”
No wonder the bible says:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” (Proverbs 4:23). TNLT
Watch the information you receive because now, man has opened the other door!
To be continued.
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