Fresh Manna 17 May
MEDITATION SCRIPTURE: “And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites and pezzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites and they took their daughters to be their wives and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.” (Judg.3:5-6)
READ: JUDGES 3:1-6
Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.
4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: 6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
In the book of Romans, believers are enjoined not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God (Romans 12¬:2).
Today we see a total deviation of God’s pattern. Israel has totally sold herself away to idolatry and foolishness. Let’s look at the gradual downslide that brought them to this level of deviation.
(1) And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and perrizzites, and Hivites and Jambusites. Rather than drive them away and break down their idolatrous altars, they dwelt among them. Beloved, you can’t have unbelievers and sinners as your close friend and maintain a sound Christian life.
(2) They took of their daughters to be their wives and gave their daughters to their sons. Marriage is the strongest tie in human relationships. You cannot compromise in marriage and remain a committed Christian.
(3) They served their gods. This is natural outcome of the first two downward steps. We are enjoined in the scriptures not to follow the multitude to do evil (Exd.23:2). The rule is, don’t follow them at all. Once you follow, you must end up doing evil. For those who desire to live a holy life, maintain their consecration and commitment to God and His purpose for their lives, separation is not negotiable.
Separation is hatred for sin and all its representation, not the sinner. It means standing for and maintaining scriptural principles, even when they look odd to the carnal mind.
TURNING POINT: For those who desire to live a holy life, maintain their consecration and commitment to God and His purpose for their lives, separation is not negotiable.
PRAYER POINT: LORD, grant me the courage to separate from sin and all its representation.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2KNG.6,7,8; JN. 4:31-54
Thank you for studying today’s Fresh Manna (The Christian Pentecostal Mission International Daily Devotional) – Dangerous Conformity – written by REV. DR. O. EZEKIEL & REV. DR. M. EZEKIEL
Don’t forget to Follow Elanhub on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and Share this Content!
Fresh Manna 17 May 2021
