The Bible warns believers to be careful that the light in them does not become darkness (Luke 11:35).
Darkness descends when the light of the gospel is overshadowed by traditions handed down by men. In such cases, the Word of God is set aside, deprived of its authority, life and power.
How can we avoid letting our light become darkness?
By steering clear of religious traps! The Greek word for “darkness” is “skotos”, which means shadiness or obscurity. The bondage of tradition is part of the shadiness that shuts out the light of the gospel within us.
Understand, tradition in itself is not a bad thing. The problem arises when church people attempt to make their traditional or generational rules and regulations equal to the Word of God.
When they pass down their religious traditions, social customs, and belief systems by mouth or by practice, without validating their origin or explaining their purpose, they breed shadiness and darkness and death.
Their doctrines and traditions become like cement that has settled. The church is bound, with no room for any person, place or thing that doesn’t fit with what’s already there.
Religious spirits of tradition work to keep a church from being transformed. They block the light necessary to draw in new converts.
Thankfully, there is hope. First Peter 1:18 tells us that we have been “redeemed…from [the] aimless conduct received by “tradition” (NKJV) from our forefathers.”
We have been redeemed! Through the power of God’s Spirit we can reject dark, aimless, and harmful traditions that are based on man-made doctrines and not on the Word of God.
For more, go read some truths on this blog …. the truth will set you free …..
After several years of marriage Jenny and Peter were still deeply in love. They had two beautiful children, a lovely house in a good neighbourhood, a nice car and with Peter’s salary Jenny was able to stay at home and look after the children. They were truly an inspiration to all people. All, but their grumpy, jealous neighbour.
One morning as Peter was leaving the driveway and Jenny blew him a kiss, the neighbour watched in utter jealousy. She needed to stop this happiness. An hour later she met a friend for tea. This friend loved to gossip and the grumpy neighbour decided to use this friend of her as a tool. “Did you hear about Peter and his affair…” she started. After a while she ended: “Poor Jenny and the kids … if only they knew.”
Needless to say, the gossip story spread like a wildfire throughout the community. The women’s smiles towards Jenny turned into pity-stares. One day while shopping in the local supermarket a shopper approached Jenny to tell her about the gossip story: “Is it true that your husband is having an affair?” In an instant, Jenny’s “perfect life” was crushed.
For the next few days Jenny cried continuously as she tried to hide her hurt from Peter. Depression started to consume Jenny’s life as the joy was squashed from her body.
One night as Peter drove into the driveway he saw that none of the house lights were on. “Hello, I’m home…” No answer. No aromatic food scent met him as he walked into the home. No smiling faces as his wife and children ran towards him. Everything was dark and cold. An evil feeling surrounded the house.
In the basement of the house Peter made the shocking discovery. Jenny had hung herself and the kids. The depression had taken its toll. On the table Peter found the suicide note: “I couldn’t endure the shame and disgrace of your actions anymore. Now you are free to do whatever you want to …” Two days later Peter heard about the lie that shattered his life.
This true story made me realize how easy a gossip story can destroy a life.
Proverbs 18:8 “What dainty morsels rumours are - but they sink deep into one’s heart”
Proverbs 18:21 “Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.”
What is your reaction whenever you hear a gossip story? Do you delight yourself in it - especially if it involves your enemies? Or do you decide to stop it and rather say something positive about the person?
Can I encourage you today to change the gossip story into an uplifting, positive story?
My mane is Louis Fourie, and I am in a personal relationship with Yeshua (Jesus Christ) King of the Kingdom of which I am a citizen.
I do not belong to any religion or denomination, but submit under Little Falls Christian Centre, (LFCC) as I believe in Spiritual accountability.
I am working for an eternal reward, from Yeshua, King of Kings.
Don’t be like the farmer! An old farmer was sitting on his porch. A man stopped to chat with him. Behind the old farmhouse was 100 acres of farm land. The man asked the farmer,
“Is that your land?” “Yep,” he replied. “Well, what are you going to do with it? Are you thinking of growing cotton?” “Nope, I’m afraid the boll weevils will get it.”
“What about corn?” “No. Locusts will eat the corn,” the farmer responded.
“Well, is there anything else you can do with the land? What about raising cattle?” “I am afraid the price of beef might go down.”
“So, what are you going to do with your 100 acres of prime farmland?” “Nothing.
I am going to play it safe and do nothing.”
Have you ever felt that way?
Just wanting to play it safe and do nothing with the truth?
Most Christians do that with the truth and with their life potential. If you choose just to play it safe in life, your potential for success becomes a barren wasteland. If fear rules your life, you will not dare to step out in life to fulfill your destiny in God. But the Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (see Heb. 11:6). It is better to risk failure to do what God wants you to do than to do nothing.
We have all experienced fear that makes us want to draw back and play it safe. But people who overcome that fear are those who will make it in life. You have to decide to declare your goals for life in the face of fear. We all fear change but change is good when you know that the Creater made us, He loves us and He wants the best for us.
When God has asked me to do something that seems impossible, I have to tell myself three things.
I encourage you to make these declarations over your situation.
1. Yeshua (Jesus) is with me and has all power-in His hands, He is the truth.
2. God is at the bottom-no matter how low it gets-God is there.
3. God has given to everyone a measure of faith-I have faith for this.
It is not God’s will for your life to be ruled by fear-of any kind.
The key to living by faith in a world driven by fear is to submit your life to the lordship of Christ. As you take this first step to living a life free from fear, you will discover that many of your worst fears have actually been “much ado about nothing.”
You will learn to live in the wonderful shelter of safety that God truth provides for you.
The Bible warns believers to be careful that the light in them does not become darkness (Luke 11:35).
Darkness descends when the light of the gospel is overshadowed by traditions handed down by men. In such cases, the Word of God is set aside, deprived of its authority and power.
How can we avoid letting our light become darkness?
By steering clear of religious traps! The Greek word for “darkness” is skotos, which means shadiness or obscurity. The bondage of tradition is part of the shadiness that shuts out the light of the gospel within us.
Understand, tradition in itself is not a bad thing.
The problem arises when church people attempt to make their generational rules and regulations equal to the Word of God. When they pass down their religious traditions, social customs, and belief systems by mouth or by practice, without validating their origin or explaining their purpose, they breed shadiness and darkness.
Their doctrines and traditions become like cement that has settled.
The church is bound, with no room for any person, place or thing that doesn’t fit with what’s already there.
The Pharisees were bound by their customs and traditions. Jesus called them hypocrites! In Matthew 23:13, He told them, “You shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (NKJV).
Two verses later He said, “You travel land and sea to win one proselyte [or convert], and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (v. 15, NKJV).
Apparently, there is a demonic double portion that operates through this religious, anti-evangelistic spirit!
As the return of Jesus draws closer, you would think that the hearts of God’s people would grow closer to Him. The apostle Paul knew differently. In 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul spoke about the apostasy, or the falling away from the truth. He listed numerous spirits that would be operating in church people in the last days.
These people, Paul said, would have a “form of godliness” (v. 5, NKJ). The Greek word for “form” is morphosis, which means “an appearance.” There are fashions in the church world today that put pressure on Christians to present a certain appearance, to be religiously “in vogue.” In many churches, if a ministry gift isn’t wrapped in the right package, it’s not considered religiously correct.
But Romans 12:1 shows us how we must present ourselves as believers. We must not have a “form of godliness” that is worldly in nature. We must not be conformed to the world but transformed!
The Greek word for “transformed” is related to our English word metamorphosis, which means “to change appearance.” Only as we are changed in appearance will people see the light of the gospel in us and “come in.”
Religious spirits of tradition work to keep a church from being transformed. They block the light necessary to draw in new converts.
I remains open to new light on old truths, and is determined to seek and walk in obedience to Abba Father our Heavenly Father’s, ever advancing Biblical truth.
I give all thanks and praise to Yeshua (Jesus) who make all things possible! Go read all about me at my blog or e-mail me.
