RUN FROM FIRE

Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 31-33

For any man or woman to think that the devil is a fool is a big mistake. He is very cunning. He has been around for over 6000 years and has acquired a lot of worldly wisdom. To think that you and i can take him on with our ‘own’ strength is also a big mistake. Even the angels had to use the blood of Jesus to overcome him. Revelations 12:11 says and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. In Acts 19:13 – 17, seven sons Sceva tried taking on a demon with their physical strength, the man in whom the demon resided grabbed them, beat them up, and seized their clothes. At last, they managed to escape naked with wounds. Anyone who will be victorious over the devil must first accept that he or she is weak and solely depend on the name of Jesus. The bible says, at the mention of the name of Jesus, all knees should bow including the devil and his hosts (Philippians 2:9-10). The fellow must also avail himself of the provision provided, which is the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Lastly the fellow should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

That 'thing’ does not have to be evil before you run from it, even if you are not sure whether it is evil or not, if i were you i will run because it is better to be safe than sorry. Putting on the armour of God and not abstaining from all appearance of evil is being foolhardy. (Foolhardy means to be recklessly or unwisely bold). As believer, one must not lie to anyone, but someone we all lie to is ourselves. To think that you are strong and cannot fall into temptation is a big lie. To think that the opposite sex cannot lure you into fornication or adultery is a lie from pit of the hell. Brethren, let us be very careful especially when dealing with the opposite sex. If you have the grace of God upon on your life like Paul, then be like Paul and do not frustrate the grace of God upon your life (Galatians 2:21). By being careless around the opposite sex, you are frustrating the grace of God on your life. Sisters, the moment you begin to feel somehow around a man you are not married to, please keep distance from that man. Brothers, the moment you notice that you always get excited when you are around a particular sister, please for Christ sake keep a distance. Even if the fellow is your fiancé or fiancée, avoid two of you standing or sitting alone in a secluded area especially at night. You maybe 100 per cent sure of yourself (which is being foolhardy), are you 100 percent sure of the other person? If you are in a secluded area with the opposite sex for a long time, the conversation will start drifting into wrong territories, you will begin to discuss what you should not discuss and hear what your ears should not hear. In addition, we must flee from nudity of any form. You may look at those nude pictures and feel nothing, after a while when you must have forgotten that you saw a picture, your brain will bring back the pictures to your mind ,before you know it you are imagining things. At times, while you are praying, the enemy will bring back the pictures, to continue praying or concentrate becomes difficult. Avoid nude pictures or sexual joke.

NOTE: It is better to be safe than sorry.

Bro Samuel- Reaching the world for Jesus.