The Quiver 4 Change of Taste: March 2016

Monday, 28 March 2016

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION: EASY ENTANGLEMENT //BY: ADETUNJI SOLOMON

Vol. 16.3.14

Easy entanglement has to do with being easily carried away by the things and ways of the world. Though we are in the world but not of the world, as such there should be a distinction between a Christian and the world. (John 17:14). The world has it ways/culture. What is acceptable in the world is not acceptable in our home (heaven). Therefore the devil uses his weapon of easy entanglement to bring Christians into bandage.

The weapon of entanglement could be anything that easily hold one back from moving forward or fast enough according to the initial speed present in the individual towards spiritual growth and it is called sin. The initial speed will decrease when entangled as a result of sin. Sin is the way of the world as that is what is acceptable to the world. Sin develops from little things considered to be irrelevant but soon becomes an unwanted weight that draws you back and slows you down in the Christian race. According to Hebrews 12:1, Paul enjoin Christians to lay (put) aside the sin that easily hold us back from running effectively the race set before us.

The sin that easily entangles us (i.e. the particular sin one can easily be tempted with) is particular to each individual, and varies from one individual to the other. It often start from a simple stage of allowing or entertaining evil suggestions from the devil or self to create a sinful desire for this particular sin which will lead to conception (just like pregnancy, it can actually be stopped by aborting or putting an end to further processing that enhances the growth), then the man processes what has been conceived (planning on how to carry out the evil thought) until it's fully matured (fully planned), this gives birth to sin (carrying out the plan) and after this is death (James 1:14-15).

As a Christian, instead of focusing on growing the spiritual life, if the above process is allowed, the attention would inadvertently be diverted to growing something that leads to the end of the life of God in us. 2Peter 2:20 (KJV) says;

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Therefore, as Soldiers of Christ, who is in a battle with the devil and self, and ad an athlete running this Christian race, we shouldn't entangle ourselves with extra weight (of sin) that would endanger our lives and slow us down and prevent us from overcoming and winning the eternal prize awaiting us. Our purpose is to please the one who called us. (2 Timothy 2:4-5, Hebrew 12:1, 2 Corinthians 9:24-25)

WAY OUT OF ENTANGLEMENT

High Resistance: To resist the devil may not be easy as it is the weakness of the individual, so, there will be need to resist firmly, disallow and oppose the devil especially with the word of God and in the name of Jesus in prayers. (1Peter 5:9, Ephesians 6:13)

Pray Now: The best time to pray is now. This means to pray ahead before you are being tempted. Jesus prayed for Peter ahead of the time of his trial (Luke 22:32). Pray now that you should not be led into temptation (Mathew. 6:13).

Flee: Flee all appearances of evil, never wait, never try to listen, do not be interested,just flee (2Timothy. 2:22; I Thessalonians. 5:22).

Feed on God's word always: Your mind can never be vacant, it's always hungry for something, let your mind feed on the word of God not worldly movies, magazines, programs, chats and so on, that encourages your sinful urge; this increase the risk of being tempted. Increase and meditate in the knowledge of God and you shall find how easy it will be to lay aside the sin that easily entangles you. (2Timothy 2:15, 2Timothy 3:14-17)

Be Serious: there is need to let the devil know you are serious by exercising your authority in Christ, turning him down in every corner and focusing the whole of your attention on Jesus. Also, taking your personal relationship with God so seriously.

As we celebrate the death and resurrection of our lord Jesus Christ, we shouldn't let go of the reason for the season, the salvation of our souls (2 Thessalonians 5:9; Hebrews 5:7-9) and let's not forget to work out our salvation with fear and trembling through obedience and the grace of God will be sufficient for us. (Philippians 2:12). Therefore, let us hold on to the charge Hebrews 12: 1 (NIV):

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with patience the race marked out for us,”

Author information:

Adetunji Solomon. (tunegwins@yahoo.com)
Lagos, Nigeria

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Monday, 7 March 2016

SPIRITUAL HEALTH // BY: YAROGLAH DAMILOLA

Vol. 16.3.13

credit:google.com

As Christians, when we gave our lives to Christ, at the place of conversion, we received a newness of spirit (2Corintians 5:17). This is the spirit that gives us the ability to have a relationship with God. It is the spirit that the Holy Spirit connects with, to bear witness that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). But when this spirit of ours is not in a good state (of health), there wouldn’t be a connection (1Corinthians 2:12-14). Can the spirit be sick, you ask? If our body is not given the adequate nutrition then it will be sick, so is the spirit. If the spirit is malnourished it will be sick. As health conscious people will give their body the necessary nutrition, exercise and rest to have a healthy body and also visit the Doctor for timely and thorough check up, follow prescription and advice, so also, we Christians ought to be conscious about our spiritual health. As health conscious people are conscious of the food they eat, the exercise of their body, the drugs they use and also all part of the body like the eyes, ears, heart, mouth, etc. Christians must be conscious of the food they feed their spirit, the exercise of their spirit, the use of drugs, the care of the eyes, ears, mouth as well as the heart.

What has these got to do with the spirit?
- The food you feed your spirit is the word of God. The word of God nourishes your spirit. As food is classified, so is the word of God classified, for doctrine, reprove, correction, and so on (2Timothy 3:16). As Christians, we need the sincere milk of the word to grow (1Peter 2:2).
- Exercise makes you strong and healthy. When you eat to grow, you exercise to be strong and healthy. How then do you exercise your spirit? You being a doer of the word of God (James 1:22). Being a
doer makes you more like Christ.
- Drugs are for different purposes, some for prevention, some for cure and some for supplement. The drug you give to your spirit is Prayer. Prayer is our means of communication to God. Your prayers can be for prevention of an evil occurrence, cure for an unfortunate incident or supplement for a deficiency such as something you are lacking. When you pray, your spirit is renewed and empowered. Prayer brings health to your spirit (Luke 18:1).
- Take care of your eyes, ears, heart and mouth: Doctors will recommend Vitamin A for your eyes, warn against putting sharp object in the ears and Dentist will say brush your teeth twice daily to
prevent tooth decay and mouth odor, all these are part of staying healthy. But from the spiritual perspective, what you expose your eyes to will affect your spiritual health. What do you watch and what do you see. What you listen to will also affect your spiritual health, the music, messages, teaching you listen to, are they edifying (1Corintians 10:23).

-Care for the heart: Doctors would advise, do not take too much salt, reduce your cholesterol intake, and don’t think too much; because of the heart. As the heart is essential to the body, so is it to the spirit, why? The heart is the engine room of every thought and action. Before you do anything good, you have thought about it, likewise, before you do anything bad. (Luke 6:45). The thought of your heart will either defile your spirit or edify it. Therefore, take care of your heart.
-The mouth (Matt 15:11 KJV): Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. What do you say with your mouth? As the things you say affects your spiritual health. If out of your mouth still proceeds curse and blessing, your spirit it unhealthy (James 3:2-10). Let our conversation be edifying, full of grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:29). The things you see and hear develops into the thought of your heart, and your thought determines your word, what you alter with your mouth
-Lastly, stay away from germs to prevent you from sickness. The germs that can make your spirit sick is SIN, therefore, abstain (1Tessalonians 5:22). The Bible called all unrighteousness, sin (1John 5:17). Sin feeds your flesh and starves your spirit thereby making it sick. Let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile our body and spirit (2Corinthians 7:1NLT).

Why we need to stay spiritually healthy

Since our relationship with God is depended on our spiritual health, we must pay attention to it as long as we are His children. We must remember that as citizens of heaven, we are here as pilgrims and on this journey we must remain connected to our home and our source which is our Father in heaven. Your spiritual health determines your spiritual growth. A healthy man is a growing man (1Peter 2:2) and we are running a race and only the spiritually healthy can run to the finish (1Corinthians 9:24-26). Also as a good soldiers of Christ (1Timothy 2:3), we need to be alert to the commander, to know when to go and when not to. The devil our greatest adversary is like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour, we therefore need to be alert, and stand firm against him.

How to be spiritually healthy
-Study and meditate on the word of God (Joshua 1:8, 2Timothy 2:15)
-Live a holy life (2Corinthians 7:1, 1Thessalonians 4:3)
-Live a prayerful life (Colossians 4:2, 1Thessalonians 5:17).

Conclusion
If you want to be spiritually healthy, walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-21). For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6). If you are not spiritually healthy, you can't have a good relationship with God (Romans 8:7-8).

Author information: Yaroglah Mautin O, Technical Editor, The Quiver. (oluwamautin@gmail.com)