I was reading through an email from a friend where she shared her thoughts. She wondered why we don’t leave all the terrible things we take to the cross there? Why do we go back, pick them and then run with them again?’ Since the bible encourages us to ponder, I do that from time to time and I want to share some of the things that came to my mind. I am hoping you will share some of your own thoughts with me.
The devil stole authority from man in the Garden of Eden. He therefore, has authority on earth and the bible also calls him the prince of the power of the air. He has a problem with the cross because that is where Christ defeated and made an open show of Him.
Colossians 2: 15NLT ‘In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the Cross’.
Indeed if Satan had known the power that would be released in Christ dying on the cross, the bible says they would not have killed Jesus. Though Jesus is alive forever, Satan still dislikes the story of the cross because every time we honestly come to the cross, we enter into a position of victory over the entire kingdom of the devil. When we give our lives to Christ, we then sit in Christ in heavenly places. As soon as we enter into that role, we become important in the eyes of the enemy. Before then, we were his slaves under his control and therefore, nonentities; but as soon as we take our positions in Christ, we become royalty and in an opposing kingdom - a kingdom that is consistently de-populating hell. Satan is then reminded that the initial victory he had over man is slowly being eroded and made as nothing.
If the devil came straight to yank us out of the hand of Jesus, he would fail. He doesn’t have the power to achieve that. So, he sells us a lie about sin. He asks the same old question he asked in the Garden of Eden – did God really say you should not do this or that? It comes first as a thought and then if we think the thought long enough, we begin to think it may not be as bad as we think. Our mind then sells us a lie that maybe if you did it in a particular way, God will not mind etc. If we dwell on this thought long enough, it becomes okay and we begin to act it out which is what translates to taking our lives back after giving it to Christ. This is when we take back those terrible things we did that we once left at the cross.
James 1: 14 NLT ‘Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death’
Nobody sees evil and desires it. We desire and do evil because one way or the other, we convince ourselves that it is not so bad. Or we tell ourselves that we have good reasons for the sinful act. It is worse in the times that we live in currently when nothing is really bad anymore. As they say, ‘it depends on how you view it’.
Reality is that the word of God is truth and very clear also. If we put your act and or thoughts against the word of God, it will be clear to you and me when we are either going the wrong way or have done evil. This is our REALITY CHECK which we must do frequently so we don’t become pillars of salt like Lot’s wife.
Quite true.. The issue is the "SOLD LIE" but let’s really look at that sold lie again.. We say we are sold a lie but the truth about buy and selling is that I have to be in the position or Market before I can but something abi? So if I am not in the position or place to be sold an item how then did I manage to buy it?
ReplyDeleteThe Bible talks about fleeing from the "appearance of evil" But we as "children of the most high" seem to ignore this advice.. You ask how and why I say this
Where is it written that God and the world can coexist in the same soul nowhere abi.. So how come it has become ok for our women to wear outfits that they cannot afford for the GO to see them in, at work, at parties etc..How come it is easy for married men to entertain conversation that they cannot afford for GO to hear..Why is it ok to raise holy hands in service and while leaving the same service cutoff the next driver on the road..we say Nigeria isn’t changing we have prayed and fasted, but do we realizes we are the change that Nigeria requires.. You & I must be that change we MUST be the one that obey the rules and not drive on side, must be the ones that are polite always irrespective of who we are talking to, we must be our brother’s keeper including the Oga at work that doesn’t like you because you are not in his click or that junior worker full of themselves with a massive chip on their shoulder… especially for these people we go the extra mile.. We turn the work on time, without errors and with jara.. Even when we know we will not get the credit for the work.. Because the real person that gives out promotions see it all.
Our walk with God is not a fad, fashionable or an "in-thing" it is life.. It is real.. Can we all say the US in "Service" is the US in "church" not church the building but the heart, the soul and body.. That EVERYWHERE we go we are seen as the light or are there still places we keep for the darkness to share ..We dey market be that oh… My peeps Pastor B has said it oh..let us (me to ooh) LEAVE IT AT THE CROSS..DONT BUY THE LIE
This article was an eye opener for me, particularly that i had been sold a lie and to Anonymous, i didn't go to the market to buy the lie, the good was brought to me in my own house.It happens,satan is devious,he will not necessarily come to you with evil thoughts or actions.
ReplyDeleteMine was predicated on a biblical injunction that i thought i had a full understanding of, but unfortunately how "i viewed it" was very wrong.
Thank God for you Pastor B for making me see the true light of the word.
Like you said a lot of people just don't do evil because they desire it, they are convinced, sometimes by the interpretation of a portion of the bible they've read that what they are doing is right.The difference between someone like that and myself is they are not opportuned to have someone point them in the right direction.To all such people,i pray that the illuminating light of God's word will shine in their hearts.
Amen Oluwatosin! And a huge 'AMEN' to Anonymous! Be the LIGHT where ever you go, to everyone, all the time! Dont be a Sunday Sunday Christian! I love GO Adeboye BUT the person we should be asking ourselves if we want him to hear us say this or see us wear that is Jesus! Sometimes I wonder if we really believe God can see and hear us! Cos If we did, then we would surely be more mindful. And more respectful instead of taking his love for granted. Saying 'sorry a zillion times over and over for the same thing is just rubbish really!. The mind is surely not being renewed. The truth that 'God is real' has got to move from my mind to my heart and govern ALL of my life ALL of the time. God will help me. God will help us!
ReplyDeletePastor B! what can I say?
You how they say the greatest lie the devil tries to sell is that hell doesn't really exist & or so also no heaven... Well it's like that when we think we didn't go to the market.... Sitting ur house..your office or even in church sef... You can sold the lie... The solution as with all issues of life.... Don't be available for the sale's pitch because by that time eh don late oh!!!! Devil wise pass that one....
ReplyDeleteSo what am I saying Tosin u dey market oh..our homes, schools, offices r all part of the market... He goes about like a roaring lion seeking who he will devour.. No be so the book of solutions talk...I can't thank Pastor B enough.. It is however clear our walk must mean more than lip service..let's start by not going back