As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. Proverbs 26:11 NIV
I have seen lately things that have grieved my spirit. People who once were ministers of the Gospel posting their children who just turned 21 having their first beer (legally) and they bought it for them. You may say, “Well, there is nothing wrong with drinking….the Bible says be not drunk with wine which is excess. He didn’t say it was a sin to have it.” I am just quoting what I have actually heard. But, let me ask something. Just because you may be able to handle something that isn’t in “excess”, does that mean the person you are introducing into that world will be able to be to handle it without “excess”? You can guess but do you actually know?? I heard Joyce Meyer say once that she and Dave used to have wine. God convicted them because it could be a downfall to one of lesser maturity.
You and I are responsible before God and before our families and others, especially if you are carrying the title of minister or have told people you are called to formal ministry, to never be a downfall to another. The Bible says it would be better that a millstone be tied around ones neck and be thrown into the sea, than to cause an immature believer to stumble! Paul pulled no punches either on this subject. He writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” A minister, and when we are born again we all are called to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I am talking about people who go by the “title” of minister and those who tell people they are called to the “title” of minister, are supposed to be the highest example of Jesus! I am not saying you must be perfect, but you must strive to not be a downfall to others!
I see former ministers, and maybe this is why they are “former”, posting pictures where they should be embarrassed by what is lacking on their physical bodies, to “show off” their workout. Comments about their wives that should be left to the privacy of a marriage relationship! Their wives talking about the wine they drink and the more they plan on drinking, as though drunkenness is something to be admired and “fun”! They talk like, act like, and think like the world when we are all called to be salt and “set apart” from worldly ways! Christians “hooking up” with men and women who they are unequally yoked to. And then they marry them and wonder why and how their lives turned into a living hell, so to speak. Paul writes a warning about this in 1 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” International Standard Version (©2008)
We will ALL give an account for our actions! Christians as well as unbelievers! The Bible also warns us that once our minds have been renewed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, if those whose minds have go back into the world, there is no higher or greater hope. You had it all when you were serving Jesus! You could have had even more if you had continued to serve Him without compromise. Once a house has been swept clean the enemy does come back to see if it is occupied by Jesus. If he finds it empty, the Bible tells us, the state of that person will be seven times worse than what their original state had been! I had an uncle who was a pastor and minister and he always said, “You may be playing for fun, but the devil is playing for keeps!” Is it worth it??? Sin is fun for a season, but when that season is over the consequences can last a LIFE TIME! Go into the prisons and ask murderers, extortionist, embezzlers, etc. if it was worth the consequences! They will tell you NO in a heartbeat and have probably appealed their cases over and over to get out of that prison!! There are mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual prisons, too! You may not end up in a literal penitentiary, but a mental and emotional prison is just as punishing, if not more so. A physical prisoner can get saved and set free and have peace in their minds at least.
The Bible says in the last days even some of the VERY ELECT will be deceived. Don’t fall into that category! You have not been raised up out of the ashes by God to act as a fool!!! You know not what you lose! Sin will take you further than you want to go and will keep you longer than you want to stay! God will never withhold good from them who seek HIM! Proverbs says WISDOM CRIES OUT! It yells, “NO! DON’T GO THAT WAY!!” But, a fool will not listen. What is sad is one day, if you continue in that way instead of God’s way, the consequences of that behavior will not be silenced and you will not be able to drown them out! Wake up while there is still a chance and time!!
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