‘Leaving for Christ’
Just like a prisoner leaves his or her home and usual lifestyle and made subject to new living conditions and relationships, Christ’s ‘prisoners’ enter into a new relationship with God. This new relationship requires total departure from the old ungodly relationship. One needs to let go all that has to do with the kingdom of darkness to be fully admitted into the kingdom of light where God reigns as the Father of light.
You cannot live in the kingdom of God when you have not completely left the kingdom of satan. You need to lose every dealing with satan to gain Christ. It is very important to leave everything about satan because he will definitely hunt you to look for his belonging in your possession. Jesus was victorious during His earthly ministry because satan could not find any spot on Him.
“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” John 14:30
What do you have in your possession that belongs to satan? Let it go! God has warned everyone who identifies with Him to depart from all forms of ungodliness. He knows those who have left the kingdom of satan and He establishes His covenant with them.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Apostle Paul suffered the loss of all things to win Christ. His conversion marked the end of his church persecution. In Philippians 3:8 Paul said, “I count 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”.
The Prodigal Son left for his home – place of royalty, after realizing his guilt. His father took him back out of love after he apologized. That is how Jesus Christ receives anyone who decides to leave everything that has to do with satan and his cohorts to follow him.
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37
Paul left his old nature (man) that was characterized by evil thoughts, unholy utterances and ungodly deeds and he put on a new man in Christ. It is expedient that we leave the old man (self) completely to enjoy a new life in Christ.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
Leave Evil Thoughts
The old man has a corrupt nature characterized by fleshly lusts and evil thoughts. One is tempted when his or her mind is occupied with lust. Sin is committed as a result of lust conceived. It is therefore important to mind what we spend our time thinking as this may make or mar our relationship with God.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14-15
Satan seizes every opportunity to whisper evil thoughts to one’s mind. He sometimes comes when one is under pressure of poverty or any unpleasant circumstance. So many people have compromised their relationship with God in illegal sexual relations, theft, lie and other forms of disobedience to God because they failed to mind their thoughts.
The human mind is such that whatever is placed on it, be it good or bad, becomes fruitful and gives birth to a particular behavior; leading to a habit when repeated. The good news is that a believer can resist the devil using God’s word and the blood of Jesus. The battle of the mind must be fought and won by every believer.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
Studying and meditating on God’s word can help you steer clear of evil thoughts (satanic strongholds) and have a renewed mind.
“ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
The word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). You and I have to use this sword because it worked effectively for Jesus when satan tempted Him. When temptations come, I urge you to speak to truth of God’s word to resist it and maintain victory. For example when fornication or adultery temptation arises, you can use this word: my body is the temple of the living God and cannot be defiled; I live to glorify God in my body.
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
The blood of Jesus Christ is one of the weapons every believer needs to overcome evil thoughts. In Revelations 12:11, the Bible says the adversary, satan, is defeated by the blood of Jesus. Therefore any time satan shows up to whisper those evil thoughts, do well to engage the blood weapon. Aside guiding what comes into your mind, you can as well pray that God should create in you a clean heart (Psalms 51:10).
Leave Unholy Utterances
In Colossians 3:8, the Bible admonishes us to put off filthy or unholy communication and to align what we say with the nature of God.
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
The Almighty God is holy in words spoken; so every believer must be holy concerning every word uttered, 1 Peter 1:15 – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
Conversation as used in the verse above refers to conduct or behavior. What we say also defines our conduct. God wants us to say words that will glorify Him and also edify people we come in contact with daily. Some people are in the business of making people angry, depressed or discouraged with their words. Just like feathers poured out from a bag are difficult to gather, it is hard to gather unpleasant and bad words.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Satan often passes through family members, friends and colleagues to introduce ungodly acts and bad habits to those who are vulnerable. So, there is the tendency for a good mannered believer to be corrupted through evil communication. It is wise to be mindful of the discussions we engage in. It is common to hear young people and adults discuss the number sexual partners they have as if it is a good competition.
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”1 Corinthians 15:33
God is too holy to lie; He fulfils every promise made. Like begets like, so every believer, born of God, is not permitted to tell lies and should ensure that promises that cannot be fulfilled should not be made. Those who tell lies are still operating in the kingdom of satan because he is the father of lies.
“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:34
Let’s ask God for the grace to put off filthy communication. You can say this prayer: Father, let the words of my mouth be acceptable to You.
Leave Ungodly Deeds
God has instructed His children to withdraw from all forms of evil. This include all ungodly habits or deeds.
“Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 AMP
We need to examine our life and begin to deal with every habit that disconnects us from God. Pornography, lesbianism, masturbation, alcoholism, homosexuality, rape, witchcraft practice, armed robbery, theft, fraud, fornication and adultery are some common ungodly deeds even among believers. These are ungodly lifestyles that have been issues of concern to the body of Christ and the society.
If you have been entangled in any of these ungodly habits, you can let go. You can decide and determine to leave such deeds and never to return to them. Remember the Prodigal Son reasoned within himself before returning to his place of royalty. You must be willing to give your life to Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. The Holy Spirit baptizes a believer with the Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4) and helps you to steer clear of evil deeds. The Bible tells us that where the Holy Spirit is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). Your freedom is guaranteed with the help of the Holy Spirit.
When King David committed adultery, he prayed to God not to take His Spirit away from him. He understood the great difference the presence of God in Him can make to form good habits.
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” Psalms 51:11
For you to be disentangled from every bad habit, you must agree that what you are doing is bad and you need God’s intervention. Make up your mind to let go; reach out to God’s word and practise it; identify friends who fertilize those ungodly deeds in your life and disconnect from them completely. In conclusion, every believer is responsible for purging himself or herself of ungodly habits in order to become a useful instrument in God’s hands.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21
Let’s prayerfully sing this song as our commitment of not returning to ungodly deeds and accepting the ‘life imprisonment’ sentence in Christ.
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 