Who Dares Defy The Living God?

"And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action."

-Daniel 11:32

I am fully aware this verse from the book of Daniel could represent different time periods. I'm not discussing this verse from a theological point of view.

For these few moments, I'm coming from a total different perspective, and it's a simple one, one I believe God wants me to discuss. Let me explain. This morning, I only had half the time I normally spend in quiet time with God. Had to take our cat to the Vet very early. I'm reminded of a comment my Pastor made a few weeks back regarding distractions keeping us from doing what we need to do with God, including a cat. Well, today, my distraction became the cat.

I came home totally overwhelmed with everything I have to finish in the next two weeks. As I was climbing the stairs to go lie down, which never ever happens with me. I felt God asking me questions. These were the question? "Didn't I tell you if you want to be successful in your daily activities, I must be first on your list?" Well, I already knew what He meant, and I didn't have to ask, "God, what do you mean?" In fact, God kept going, continuing asking me questions. "Did you open My Word today? Do you know what I have for you to do today? I thought you understood you cannot do anything apart from Me?" Go get your Bible, I will speak to you!"

I have a Bible that's in Chronological order. It was the closest to me, I just opened not knowing what book, or chapter it would open, too. It opened to part of Daniel 11. This verse jumped up. In fact, there are two more. But I feel so compelled to write about this one. Not from the perspective of who this person is, or if it already took place, or yet to come. But, rather, from how it can apply to our lives, now.

If we don't know God, we can easily be manipulated and misled. Anyone can come along with "smooth words" and deceive us. Before we go on saying it can't happen to me, let me ask you this: Have you ever been a part of a conversation that was slandering another? Have you ever retold a story about another person going through a difficult time? Have you ever held back forgiveness from someone that hurt you? Have you ever been angry at a person? Have you ever envied another person? Have you lied about another? Notice how I've been using past tense. I'm doing it on purpose.

Why you ask? Allow me to explain.

You see, these things are considered sins, and deadly ones at that. They are even detestable to God. These things are actions of the godless. People who act like this are described as causing division, discord, and dissension amongst the people. God hates these sins. People who engage in these don't go unpunished. Jesus Christ became our Mediator, our "New Covenant." When we refuse to let go of sins in our lives, we are intentionally acting wickedly towards our Lord. When we decide we can continue on this destructive path, we eventually become deaf to what the Spirit is saying and easily led by a wrong, an evil Spirit. Therefore, we become godless and anyone can be turned over to godlessness because they put themselves in that position.

Let me remind you. No one can turn us into acting ungodly but ourselves. No one can cause our faith to weaken or lead us down a destructive path if we are obeying God. No way can anyone "use smooth words to turn you into godlessness.." Only way this possible is to those who are already acting wickedly towards the covenant. What covenant? Jesus Christ is the new covenant. Are you following our Lord and Savior? If you are, then all those things I said were in the past tense shouldn't be a part of your life. Those evils need to be rejected by you, or you are, "Acting wickedly towards the Lord Jesus himself, the "Covenant!"

Those of us who know Him shun evil and all appearances of evil. I refuse to be part of gossip get-togethers. Unfortunately, for me this stance caused me problems. I have come straight out and told one group, I don't want to come out with you because I don't want to know anything about anyone. I then became a target. I'm the one that was gossiped about, lied about, and said all sorts of evil about, and still continues.

Ask me if I care?

So, then, why do people engage in these behaviors? They don't read the Word of God. They are clueless to what God is expecting from our life. If you don't read His Word you can't possibly know how to walk in the truth and light. A verse like this should scare us to death. "And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant." May this never happen to me is what you should be saying.

Thank God there is always a but "...but the people who know their God will display strength and take action."

The real people of God will showcase His attributes. There is a strength that is supernatural because it's by His Spirit. They will know how to act godly in every single situation. They will take appropriate actions to speak against, and not to participate in evil doing. No matter the peer pressure and the ridicule. They will stand for justice, godliness, holiness, virtue, truth, and honor. They will showcase integrity and great character.

The truth is if the majority of the people respect and know who you are, it isn't going to matter what a few people who are in one group have to say about you. It's obvious there is an agenda. It took me one whole year to figure this out. I hope this truth sets you free. People have agendas, and they lie. Shame on them, not on you.

Let us stand for what is good and honorable, and God Himself is our shield and armor. Who would dare to defy the living God? Line yourself up to do what is right, according to His Word, and honoring the covenant. The Lord Jesus isn't a man to mess with. He knows exactly how to care for the godly and the righteous. Strive for godliness and go after righteousness with all you got. Don't defile yourself by the actions and deeds of the godless. Have nothing to do with such evil people. God always cares for His own.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

INSIGHT: ALL sin is an abomination to God, and sin of any kind is not to be taken lightly because sin separates us from God. As children of God, we are called to be holy, set apart unto God. In other words, we belong to God as His children, and we are to walk in His ways, consulting God in all we do and including Him in every aspect of our life as we are being set apart for His service. The Spirit of the Living God is in you, and therefore, "you are under no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do" (Romans 8:12).

Why participate or entertain something you know is going to displease God? Is there a something you know is sin but are still doing anyway? Then let the words of Joseph in Genesis, when he was confronted by Potiphar's wife, come to mind, "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"

MEDITATION: "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." -Romans 8:9-14

When you spend time in prayer and in the Word, you begin to see how seriously God deals with sin and how He views every sin. You begin to gain a correct perspective on who you are in light of God's Word and in light of Who He is. The Holy Spirit who resides in you will shrink back at the slightest sin because the Holy Spirit is holy, and He is grieved by sin; And we are told in the Scriptures not to grieve the Holy Spirit. As a child of God, you are controlled by the Spirit of God because the Spirit lives in you. Daily, you die to the flesh and its lusts. When you became a child of God, the old nature was crucified, and your new nature in Christ began. Daily, you can walk in newness of life because God has provided everything you need to live for Him through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you know something is ungodly, know that God has given you the power you need to walk away and also has provided the way of escape.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are my Helper, and You do not give me more than I can bear. When I am faced with temptation, You, O God, have provided a way of escape. Teach me to discern right from wrong, and give me the wisdom that comes only from You so I know when to walk away immediately before I do something that is displeasing to You. Let Your Holy Spirit who dwells in me show me Your truth in all situations and to remember the words of Your servant Joseph who when faced with temptation and sin said, "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #wickedness #godlessness #sin #gossip #slander