When we are feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty what is our first tendency? I can tell you mine is to run and hide. I want to hide my face from anyone for fear they'll find out I made a mistake. This is exactly what Adam does in the garden after sinning! God comes to walk with him and he hides! It is in our very nature to do so.
Genesis 3:8-9 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (NIV)
However, this is the design of the enemy! Think about a herd of zebras. When they are together, they are safe. However, if one Zebra is hurt and fallen behind or has isolated itself otherwise, it becomes dinner to the lions lurking. The Bible tells us that our enemy is prowling like a lion and looking for whom he might devour.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)
When we isolate ourselves, we are without someone to help us up when we fall. We are without someone to set us straight when we cannot see through our mess. We are without someone to remind us of the truth. And we are exactly what Satan is looking to attack!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (NIV)
Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (ESV)
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)
Today, make sure that you are not isolating yourself when you face trials for that is when you need your family of Christ most! Fight the fleshly desire to flee and instead, draw near to those around you. Proclaim proudly your weakness and need of Christ and watch Him come through. Don't be the one whom God is asking, "Where are you?" like He did with Adam and Eve. Seek Him, and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (ESV)
Hebrews 10:23 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)
Genesis 3:8-9 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (NIV)
However, this is the design of the enemy! Think about a herd of zebras. When they are together, they are safe. However, if one Zebra is hurt and fallen behind or has isolated itself otherwise, it becomes dinner to the lions lurking. The Bible tells us that our enemy is prowling like a lion and looking for whom he might devour.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)
When we isolate ourselves, we are without someone to help us up when we fall. We are without someone to set us straight when we cannot see through our mess. We are without someone to remind us of the truth. And we are exactly what Satan is looking to attack!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (NIV)
Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (ESV)
It can be hard to be in relationship with fellow believers because it is hard to admit fault. We don't want others to see our "dirt." We want to be known by our strengths rather than our weaknesses. This is human nature! But it is against the nature of God. We are commanded to confess our sins to another so that we may receive healing. We should be boasting to all of our weaknesses because that is when the power of Christ shines through our lives! Do not listen to the worldly way of thinking, but rather, have the mind of Christ. Your fellow believers will receive you with love and support you through it all.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)
1 Corinthans 2:16 For, "Who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. (NLT)
Today, make sure that you are not isolating yourself when you face trials for that is when you need your family of Christ most! Fight the fleshly desire to flee and instead, draw near to those around you. Proclaim proudly your weakness and need of Christ and watch Him come through. Don't be the one whom God is asking, "Where are you?" like He did with Adam and Eve. Seek Him, and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (ESV)
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