MEMORISE: And be not conformed to this world: 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
READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14 -18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 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.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
MESSAGE
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.
Exodus 23:2
Fire does not follow trends, it remains the same all the time. Fire is fire. It is not frozen today, liquid tomorrow and vapour the next day; fire is always fire and remains in one state. It does not copy anything or anyone else – it remains in its own state.
I remember a time when the custom amongst men of God in Nigeria was to wear a flowing robe – Agbada. It was their way of proclaiming, “We have arrived”. I don’t have anything against the Agbada. It is the traditional attire in many Nigerian cultures and I do wear it now and again. However, I refused to follow the trend of wearing it all the time. One man of God said to me then, “l like you, but l don’t like the way you dress like a hunter” – apparently referring to the conservative French suits l often wear, l to,d him l was not a hunter, but rather, a soldier of Christ. Fire does not blend in with its environment, rather, it affects it.
You must stand apart. You cannot afford to do something simply because others are doing it. Fire does not yield to peer pressure. Proverbs 1:10 says when sinners entice you, don’t consent. It doesn’t matter how enticing the new trend is, if it is not in line with the word of God, reject it. In 1 Kings 18:22, Baal was worshipped across the land of Israel but Elijah set himself apart. He did not blend with the others around him because He was fire. It doesn’t matter if everyone is doing what is against God’s will, because you are fire, you cannot.join them. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 urges us to come out from amongst unbelievers.
Matthew 5:16 says that we should let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our father in Heaven. How will they see the works of God in you when you are always trying to blend with people who are doing the works of the devil?
REFLECTION
Check yourself: have you been following worldly trends.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 21-23
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 23: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moment and my days
Let them flow ceaseless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee
3. Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my king;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my sliver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall no longer mine:
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for thee.
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