ARE YOU GROWING (8)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU GROWING (8)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Job 32:7-9

*I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.*

*But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.*

*Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Age, authority and accountability.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Judges 13 teaches us so many lessons.

One of which is obeying God's command over any other messages/prophecies.

A strong warning to pursue unwavering caution and never afraid to disregard contrary message(s) from anyone regardless of the sender's apparent authority or age. 

Christians often obey people who are in higher authorities and are of ages over them more than obey God.

Acts 5:29, tells us that *"......Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.*

Judges 13 tells of a young, obedient prophet from Judah who is deceived by an older, established prophet in Bethel. 

It is Christian maturity to obey God but offend man than to offend God but please children of men.

The bible teaches that we obey parents and parents in the Lord, Exd 20:12, Eph 6:1-3 but also warns in the same breath as Acts 5:29 to totally avoid being *"......menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:* Col 3:22.

Ephesians 6:6 says *Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;*

We must subject every word of man to discernment.

The old prophet in 1 Kings 13 lied to the young prophet to manipulate him into disobeying God's direct command (not to eat or drink in Bethel) by claiming an angel told him otherwise. He told the young prophet that an angel had asked him to invite the young prophet to eat, causing the young prophet to disobey God.

He followed the old prophet's word and as a result of this deception and disobedience, the young prophet was killed by a lion.

*Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.* (Job 32:9).

We must not be misguided by seniority without the fear of God.

Age would indicate seniority, age or length of service may determine responsibility but accountability is ultimately to God.

A mature Christian will prioritize obedience to God. He must be like Daniel who purposed in his heart not to be defiled by the King's meat, Dan 1:8.

The mature Christian must be like Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego who disobeyed the king's instructions to obey God's, (Dan 3:16-18).

Disobeying God has grave consequences and Jesus said though we may suffer the consequences of disobeying man, man can only *".....kill the body..."* (Matt 10:28).

Man must not be feared because God holds authority over the soul's eternal destiny.

The young prophet was zealous to obey God's directive to rebuke a stubborn and disobedient King Jeroboam. He obeyed but lacked total reverential awe of God.

His earthly judgment was sure but his eternal judgment may be judged because he was referred to as a 'Man of God'.

However one thing was clear and this is that though his disobedience may not be condidered as a willful, rejection of God his continued service and life were cut short.

He could no longer be permitted to continue. He had been 'wounded' in the battle field and it was better to take him home.

Though he will enjoy eternal rest but his punishment was disgraceful and a public spectacle of ridicule.

We mature everyday and every step we take in this race will go a long way to determine how mature we will end.

Are you growing?

*Remorse corner.*

Galatians 1:10 (KJV) states: *For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.*

*Call to Word action.*

We will grow to the very end if we can outgrow challenges, Satanic deception etc everyday. Paul teaches us that he grew because of what he overgrew by counting all around him as dung because he counted *".......all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,*, Phil 3:8

*The Christian clarion duty.*

As there is a cost of discipleship, there is a cost of maturity.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me mature everyday by outgrowing every challenge that comes my way, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.