Oil and Water

Is it true that oil and water do not mix? Absolutely! Those two components do not work well together and ultimately will not mix. Just as oil and water do not mix, neither does disobedience and Godliness. Yes, we are not perfect as humans, but so many choices we have made could have been avoided. Sometimes we choose to do things that we know are out of Gods will for us- even those of us who know the Lord. Maybe at the time it seems like only a little sin- not really that bad. After all we can ask for forgiveness, right? God calls us to a higher standard of living though. He expects us to daily strife for excellence. Are we going to blow it? Yes, we are, but God still loves and believes in us. It is when we absolutely know what were doing is wrong and continue to stay in that behavior that it can bring destruction in one or another to us.

In Joshua 6:17-19 we read about Joshua’s direct command to the sons of Israel concerning Jericho. “And the city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the Lord; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her, in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. But as for you only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, lest you covet them, and take some of the things under the ban, so you would make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it. But all the silver and gold articles of bronze and iron are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” These people were told by Joshua what to do and what not to do, and yet one person disobeyed. In Joshua 7:10-13 we read about the Lord revealing to Joshua about this person- “So the Lord said to Joshua, Rise up! Why is that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. Therefore, the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies for they have been accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst, Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said “There are things under Theban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.” Joshua then went and found the man who had done this, and lost his life for his direct disobedience. Because of this person’s disobedience, the battle they had been involved in did not turn out how it was meant to. This person’s disobedience affected others in a large way.

We are not going to lose our life because we blow it, but there is a penalty for sin. God did send His son to pay for our sins- He was the perfect sacrifice that we needed. Because of that we have forgiveness, but our choices not only affect us but others as well. Just because God sent His son for us does not give us a license to willfully disobey Him, and yet count on him to protect us and have no repercussions.

There are things God specifically tells us to avoid for our own protection, and by choosing not to listen we put ourselves at risk for many problems. When we face struggles, we must lean totally on the Lord to help us. He knows we are imperfect people, but wants the standard raised higher in every area of our lives. If we continually make choices that do not line up with Gods word, how can we expect Gods protection from the repercussions? We need to be honest before God and present our struggles to Him knowing He will help us, and that is when we overcome all that was meant to destroy us- through Him.

What About You?

1. What is something you know God is asking of you to do or not do and your resistant?

2. Trust that God knows your whole life already and He knows what is good and not good for you. Trust him in all things and know He will make a way for you.