Christly Living
SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED III
Memorise:
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
Read:
Genesis 26:1-6
Message
Main Text: Spiritual discernment is crucial for every Christian, especially when making critical life decisions such as choosing a marriage partner, where to live, and who to associate with. Some Christians have married evil people disguised as angels of light because they lacked spiritual discernment. They embraced Jezebels and Nabals - idolatrous and foolish people who can lead them astray and ruin their lives.
Believers need God's direction to know the right people to marry. For example, when Abraham wanted to choose a wife for Isaac, he gave his servant specific instructions about the type of woman who would be suitable for his son and fit to partake in the covenant God had made with him (Genesis 24:1-8). He told his servant to go to his country and kindred to take a wife for Isaac. This is the first criterion for a Christian's choice in marriage; he or she must marry a fellow Christian because our country as believers is heaven. Some believers have disregarded this criterion to their detriment.
Apart from a believer ensuring that whoever he or she wants to get married to is a Christian, it is also crucial to ask God to show him or her the right person among His numerous children. Some Christian ladies have been carried away by a suitor's charisma, so they didn't ask God if he was a suitable spouse for them or not. Likewise, some Christian men have allowed a lady's commitment in church to blind them to what God is saying about her character. When it comes to the issue of marriage, a believer cannot afford to be carried away by external things and miss the Holy Spirit's direction. If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner, in Jesus' name.
Where to live is another crucial decision that requires spiritual discernment. In Genesis 13:10-13, Lot didn't inquire from God before choosing to pitch his tent towards Sodom. He found himself in the midst of sinners and wicked people, and eventually, he lost his home when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sins of their inhabitants. Only spiritually discerning people will know whether God wants them to relocate or not, and where to relocate to.
Beloved, don't make critical life decisions based solely on your judgment and understanding. Seek God's counsel and remain spiritually discerning to know what He wants you to do.
Bible In One Year:
Nehemiah 11-13
Hymn:
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Prayer Point:
Lord, please help me not to be insensitive to Your guidance.
Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah!