“Just This Once” — How Small Compromises Lead You Back Into Bondage
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:12-17)
Satan's Temptations
Satan will not come at you with big stones, but little pebbles. He will get you to gradually accept smaller versions of what you were once delivered from: "Oh, this is not as bad," "Oh, just this one time."
Then it grows into one more, and one more until you are back in bondage.
Gradual acceptance, normalizing the immoralities and addictions of the world, and things sacrificed to idols led them away from God. That is Satan's goal!
"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
"And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
(II Corinthians 11: 3 &14)
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:15-17)
Satan will deceive you and create doubt, as he did to Eve in the Garden of Eden: "Did God really say....?"
He disguises himself AS an angel of light, but he is NOT! That is why we need to read our Bible, because he knows it and will distort it; he will leave verses out of a passage important to the meaning and speak only what he wants to use against you to tempt you. He did it to Jesus when He was being tempted; he will do to us.
The gradual compromise: Makes it seem normal; tolerate it.
"Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel." (Numbers 25:1-3)
Convenience, where boundaries become an imposition.
a. One day of missing church becomes another and another.
b. Then you stop reading your Bible for spiritual nourishment, and it becomes one day, then another, then another, and before long, it is collecting dust.
c. You are too tired; work and the needs of others have worn you out, and you do not have time to spend with God anymore.
d. Boundaries broken:
i. Addictions: frustrations of life and no peace because you are not spending time with the Peacemaker or inviting Him into your life. So, you invite one of your past addictions in, just one time, and it is not as bad as the other thing. Then it gradually becomes one more and one more, and then you finally turn to greater addictions.
ii. What you watch, say, and do: before long Satan has also desensitized you to what you watch, the talk you listen to and out of your mouth, and what you do.
iii. Temporary comforts you would not do or take part in before you are doing now.
How Do We Arm Ourselves
We arm ourselves with everything God has and everything He has given us!
a. Himself, Jesus
b. The Holy Spirit
c. The Bible
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of he darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Through faith, receive Jesus as Lord: Salvation.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Submit to the Lord and His commands. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:7-8)
Stay close to God. "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17)
Read the Bible so you are spiritually fed, know Him, know His commands, and know His promises to stand on.
"And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:35-40)
Pray: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (I Thessalonians 5:16-22)
Go to Church: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Worship: "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3)
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100)
Remind yourself of past victories: if God delivered you in the past, He will deliver you in the present and in the future. "I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds."
(Psalm 77:11-12)
How Do We Get Back
It is simple: go to God.
a. Pray and repent.
b. Ask for Help.
d. Get back in church.
e. Make time for God in your day for devotions and prayer time. You would drop everything for a boss or a friend, etc. Why not God! Your Creator, Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Friend, and more!
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(I John 1:8-9)
Let us pray for you
"Father, help those who may have strayed and crossed boundary lines. In mercy, for "Your mercies are new every morning," lead them lovingly back to You. Provide wisdom, guidance, help, whatever needs they have, and let them know just how much You love them and do not condemn them. In Jesus' name, amen!"
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
To disover more about the love of God check out my book: God's Love
For more in-depth Bible Study, check out: Going Deeper With Sandra
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