Just Say No!
Opening Prayer
Gracious Lord, I treasure Your Word and I want to know it more deeply and obey it more closely.
Read REVELATION 2:18-29
[18] “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. [19] I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. [20] Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. [21] I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. [22] So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. [23] I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. [24] Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): [25] Only hold on to what you have until I come. [26] To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations- [27] ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’- just as I have received authority from my Father. [28] I will also give him the morning star. [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How does Jesus describe this church?A virus! Apparently, even churches can be afflicted by it. A virus! They are dangerous and they spread.
A close neighbor to Pergamum, the church of Thyatira was under threat from a strain of teaching that was bringing confusion and compromise. To do business in this market city, everyone was required to join a trade guild. These guilds, however, were more than industrial unions. They were deeply involved in sexual immorality and idolatry (20).A conundrum indeed! By opting out you may ruin all possibilities for earning a living. By opting in you are seen to be participating in Christ-denying behavior, regardless of the fact you are earning an income for your family. Which is a good thing… right?
Wrong! Jesus demands clear obedience and challenges the believers to just say no. Compromise will mean abandoning certain values and trading them for others. The amazing thing is that by saying no there is a reward (26). You can play with fire until the fire starts playing with you. So to avoid getting burned, we must be tuned to the Spirit of God (29).
Apply
Are there any compromises you are making? Today, if you hear God speaking, listen carefully and then obey.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, keep my heart and mind so tuned to Your Spirit that I’ll always hear You when You call me.
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