SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1266

“Rebellion”

But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; … – Ezekiel 20:21

We are a rebellious people, continually seeking to go our own way in disobedience to the Truth of God’s Word.

I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; – Isaiah 65:2

In the Book of Genesis, we read about the corruption of the earth by mankind and the Lord brought a great flood to cleanse the earth saving His select few through Noah and the ark.

And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. – Genesis 6:12

I sometimes wonder how much more rebellion the Lord will tolerate before He again declares ‘Enough!’ He truly is a patient and merciful Father. He is however just, and righteous judgement will certainly come.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

Rebellion is saying ‘No’ to God’s direction and ‘Yes’ to our own way of the flesh. Rebellion is compromising the narrow path of the Truth of God’s Word with the wide and broad path to destruction that our flesh would have us walk.

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry; For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

– 1 Samuel 15:23; Romans 8:7

Our elected officials compromise with the world, casting God’s Truth aside in favor of garnering votes to remain in power.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Our church denominations dilute the Truth of God’s Word, embracing what God calls an abomination, in order maintain attendance numbers.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

We, too, are equally guilty. We toy with darkness and venture into the shadows rather than remaining in the light of the Lord’s presence. We choose to gratify our flesh’s desire to be entertained by movies, video games, and pagan celebration events that we know feed our flesh, mind and spirit with what God’s Word declares to be sin.

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you. – 2 Corinthians 6:17

Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord …it will be well…- Luke 6:46; 1 Samuel 12:14-15

May you repent of your rebellious nature and by the power of the Holy Spirit be strengthened to deny the flesh and make choices to walk continually in the light of the presence of the Lord, Jesus.

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. – Hebrews 3:15; Romans 2:13