BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing Emagazine English July 2019 | Page 4

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JULY 2019 ||www.bymonline.org
relationships through mobile phone itself. We may
even develop complicated health issues. We may
develop bad habits like over-eating and over-
sleeping. As servants of God, we should have strict
discipline in the usage of media. We should have
accountability partners. Our passwords should be
known to our spouses or spiritual friends.
Also beware of emotional bondages
during mid-life. When faced with difficult situations
in life or ministry, let us not seek wrong comforts. We
need to go to God. Only He can understand. Only He
can guide and strengthen us.
3) Divisiveness and Rebellion
2 Sa 15:5,6 - “And whenever a man came near to pay
homage to him, he would put out his hand and take
hold of him and kiss him. Thus Absalom did to all of
Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom
stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
Rebellion is the work of the devil. It is
equivalent to idolatry and divination (1 Sam 15:23).
We should never be part of rebellion. All authorities
have been instituted by God - government, family,
church, organization, both secular and spiritual (Rom
13:1). Even Martin Luther did not plan to rebel. He
was simply faithful to the truth. He could not
compromise on the truth and he stood for it.
Do not be friends with people who are
always talking ill about leaders or people in authority.
All such people are seldom faithful in their own
sphere of operation or work. We can express our
displeasure, opinion and suggestions, but to rebel is
altogether another thing. Rebellious people seldom
stay for long. We may face temporary set-backs. But
we will emerge victorious like David.
Absalom created division in the ranks of
the Israelites through tact. People came to David for
justice but Absalom put up a show as though he was
more caring and loving than David. He spoke sweet
words to the people and his deceptive gestures proved
successful. He stole the hearts of the people.
Stealing the hearts of the people is a sign
of divisiveness and rebellion. In any ministry, we
come together by the sovereign purpose of God. All
relationships are given by God for a common
purpose. But there are people who come with wrong
motives. In the beginning it would be difficult to
identify them. But later, we may have to face betrayal
and rebellion from the people whom we have trusted.
One of the strategies of Absalom was to
win the hearts of the people. Beware of ministers who
draw people to themselves rather than directing them
to God. Beware of preachers who “cry” in front of
people to gain sympathy. They deceive people and
draw them to themselves.
Jud 1:4 - “For certain men have crept in unawares,
who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our
God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord
God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
On our part we need to be “shrewd like a
serpents”. In the Body of Christ we need to maintain
the bond of love. We are all brothers and sisters. We
are all co-laborers. We are all workers. Let everything
be done orderly and in an open way.
4) Dangers of Spiritual Pride
2 Sa 24:1 -“Again the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Israel, and he incited David against them,
saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”
This sad incident happened during
David's final years of kingship. This was because of
the pride in the heart of David. As a result of this sin,
70,000 people died. What a tragedy! Although God
had been faithful to David, he wanted to know the real
strength of his army. God had fought for Israel.
Suddenly David's heart became prideful. We who are
in leadership should be very careful in this area.
In the beginning we are small in our own