Title January 2021

  • Home   /  2021   /  
  • January
    • ( Page4 )

What is the meaning of “What Is Crooked Cannot Be Straightened”? (Ecclesiastes 1:15)

Ecclesiastes 1:15 (NIV),“What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.”

Print this post

THE HIDDEN PRESSURE OF SIN:

There are parts of Scripture that both inspire us and humble us—where we see the tragic downfall of people once close to God’s heart. It is in these moments we come face-to-face with a crucial biblical truth: sin is not just an act—it is a power, a pressure that grows if left unchecked.

In Romans 7:11, the Apostle Paul explains the nature of sin:

“For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.”
Sin doesn’t simply invite us to do wrong. It deceives, manipulates, pressures, and finally leads to death—spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes even physically.

Let us reflect on two figures: King David and Judas Iscariot—both anointed, both close to God’s work, and both tragically overwhelmed by the pressure of sin.

DAVID: The King Who Fell

David, described as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), was not a stranger to God’s voice. He had won battles, written psalms, and led with humility. But even David was not immune to sin’s pressure.

His descent began with a glance—he saw Bathsheba bathing (2 Samuel 11:2). That look became desire, and that desire led to adultery. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David, in panic, devised a plan to cover up his sin by bringing her husband, Uriah, home from war, hoping he would sleep with her. But Uriah’s loyalty was stronger than David’s deceit:

“The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents… How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” (2 Samuel 11:11)

When that plan failed, David orchestrated Uriah’s death on the battlefield (2 Samuel 11:15). Thus, the one who once spared Saul’s life out of reverence for God’s anointing now killed a faithful servant to hide his guilt.

David’s story illustrates how unchecked sin multiplies. James 1:14–15 captures it perfectly:

“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Though David repented deeply (Psalm 51), the consequences of his actions followed him. His story reminds us: sin grows silently but strikes forcefully.

JUDAS: The Disciple Who Betrayed

Judas Iscariot’s fall began subtly. John 12:6 reveals his heart:

“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”

A love of money opened the door to greater evil. What began as small acts of dishonesty culminated in the betrayal of Jesus Himself—for thirty silver coins (Matthew 26:14–16). Jesus, whom he walked with, witnessed miracles from, and whom he called “Rabbi”, was handed over by Judas.

And yet, this betrayal wasn’t born from hatred—it was the end result of tolerated sin. After the deed, Judas was filled with regret:

“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse…” (Matthew 27:3)

Sin had carried him to a place he never meant to go. But instead of turning to Christ in repentance like Peter did, he was crushed under the weight of guilt and took his own life.

THE THEOLOGY OF SIN’S PRESSURE

The Bible does not treat sin as just a moral misstep—it is a spiritual force. Paul refers to it as a master that enslaves (Romans 6:12–14). Jesus said in John 8:34:

“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

That’s why sin cannot be managed or negotiated with—it must be confessed, repented of, and crucified. Even small sins matter. They may seem harmless, but like seeds, they grow. And when fully grown, they produce consequences far beyond what we anticipated.

MODERN EXAMPLES: The Pressure is Still Real

Today, the pressure of sin continues to destroy. People sacrifice their integrity for temporary gain. Others destroy relationships, reputations, and even lives trying to cover up secrets.

  • Young women, out of fear of shame, abort pregnancies—often not because they are evil, but because the weight of societal judgment, rejection, and fear crushes them.
  • People steal from workplaces, rationalizing it as “small,” only to later find themselves trapped in corruption.
  • Even believers fall into grievous sins—not because they woke up planning to, but because they underestimated sin’s grip.

GOD’S CALL: Flee, Confess, and Be Free

David eventually repented with bitter tears (Psalm 51). And though his path was scarred, God forgave him. Judas, sadly, gave in to despair. This contrast shows us the heart of the gospel:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

The good news is this: no one is beyond redemption, but we must not wait until sin has consumed us.

Final Exhortation

Don’t toy with sin, no matter how small it seems. Whether it’s lust, greed, dishonesty, or pride—sin applies pressure, and that pressure leads to bondage. Flee from it. Resist it early. Confess it quickly. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:29:

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

May we take seriously the danger of sin and embrace fully the grace of Christ, who came not only to forgive us—but to free us.

Shalom.

Please share this message—it might be the word someone needs to escape the trap of sin.

Print this post

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS CLEARLY

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” — 1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

Shalom! May the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be praised.

We live in a time when spiritual deception is widespread. The Bible does not leave us in the dark about this reality. In 1 Timothy 4:1, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit speaks clearly—without symbolism or hidden meaning—that in the last days, many will turn away from the Christian faith, listening to deceiving spirits and demonic doctrines.

This warning is not symbolic, like some prophecies that require spiritual discernment or revelation. It is straightforward, intended to open our eyes and prepare us for the times we live in.

When the Spirit Speaks Symbolically

Often in Scripture, the Holy Spirit speaks in ways that require spiritual discernment. For example:

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation 2:29 (NIV)

This phrase implies that not everyone will immediately understand the message. Some spiritual truths are hidden and must be revealed through the Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).

Take Revelation 2:26-28 as an example:

“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star.”
— Revelation 2:26-28 (NIV)

Here, key elements like “authority over the nations” and “the morning star” are not immediately clear. They require spiritual interpretation (e.g., the “morning star” could refer to Christ Himself—Revelation 22:16).

But in 1 Timothy 4:1, the message is unambiguous and direct: in the end times, many will fall away from the faith.

How Do Deceiving Spirits Speak?

Paul says people will listen to these spirits, meaning they communicate somehow. According to Scripture and Christian theology, deceiving spirits influence humans in two major ways:

1. Internally, through thoughts and impulses

This is when a person feels urged to do things contrary to God’s Word—such as lying, stealing, committing adultery, engaging in idolatry, or embracing immoral behavior. James explains:

“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
— James 1:14 (NIV)

Spiritual warfare occurs in the mind and heart. If a person obeys impulses that contradict the Word of God, they are being led by a deceiving spirit—even if they are unaware.

2. Externally, through false teachers and preachers

Jesus Himself warned:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
— Matthew 7:15 (NIV)

These individuals often look religious or spiritual, but they teach doctrines that contradict the gospel of Christ—encouraging sin, materialism, self-glorification, or compromise with worldly values. Listening to them leads believers away from truth.

Why This Warning Matters

Paul emphasizes the urgency and clarity of the Spirit’s message because many—not just a few—will be deceived. Jesus also spoke of this:

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
— Matthew 24:24 (NIV)

This means even sincere believers can be misled if they are not spiritually alert.

How Can We Avoid Being Deceived?

The only way to test spirits and teachings is by comparing them with Scripture. The Berean Jews were praised for doing this:

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character…for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
— Acts 17:11 (NIV)

Do not trust your feelings or personal experiences alone. Even Satan can appear as an angel of light:

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV)

Only the Word of God is a sure foundation.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
— Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

A Call to Faith and Discernment

Dear friend, if you’ve delayed giving your life to Jesus because of confusion, doubt, or worldly distractions, it’s possible that deceiving spirits have already influenced you.

But today is your opportunity to turn to Christ. He is waiting with open arms.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Jesus desires that you live—and not perish. His warning through the Spirit is a sign of His love.

Final Exhortation

The Holy Spirit is not vague. He has clearly warned us: in the last days, many will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits. Let us be among those who remain faithful to Christ.

“The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
— Matthew 24:13 (NIV)

Let’s stay vigilant. Let’s stay grounded in truth. And let’s help others do the same.

Maranatha – The Lord is coming.

Please share this message of truth and hope with others.

Print this post

A DEEPER LOOK INTO A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT MANY BELIEVERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND

 

A DEEPER LOOK INTO A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT MANY BELIEVERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND

Many Christians have wondered why the Holy Spirit did not immediately descend on the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection. Why did they have to wait until the Day of Pentecost — exactly fifty days after Passover (Acts 2:1)? Was it because they were unworthy? Not at all.
Rather, this delay reveals a consistent pattern of the Holy Spirit’s work in Scripture.

The Holy Spirit does not descend randomly, hurriedly, or incompletely. When He comes, He comes in fullness, and His descent always aligns with God’s timing, God’s preparation, and God’s purpose.

Jesus Himself told His disciples to wait:

Luke 24:49 (ESV)

“But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The disciples needed to be:
✔ spiritually aligned,
✔ purified in their obedience,
✔ united in heart,
✔ and grounded in Christ’s teaching.

Only then were they ready for the Spirit to produce the fullness of God’s work in them.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AS RAIN: A BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE

Scripture repeatedly compares God’s Spirit to rain — something that falls on all soil without discrimination:

Hosea 6:3 (ESV)

“He will come to us as the rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.”

Rain does not choose where to fall. It simply causes whatever is in the soil to grow:
• wheat or weeds,
• fruit or thorns,
• useful crops or destructive plants.

This is a profound theological truth:
The Holy Spirit strengthens the nature already growing in a person.

Just as rain empowers whatever seeds lie hidden beneath the surface, the Spirit amplifies what is already planted in the heart.

This is why Paul warns:

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

Therefore, it is the believer’s responsibility to cultivate holiness — to prepare the soil of the heart.

THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY PLANTED

The Holy Spirit is called the Helper (John 14:26), meaning He “helps” what is already growing inside you.

If you plant repentance, holiness, love, and a hunger for God, the Holy Spirit will magnify them:

Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

But if you plant secret sin, hypocrisy, immorality, pride, or worldliness — the Spirit will expose and intensify the consequences of what you have sown.

The Spirit is not a passive force.
He is God, and He responds to what He finds in the heart.

This is why Scripture speaks of:

Thessalonians 2:10–12 (ESV)

“a strong delusion” sent by God to those who reject truth

This does not mean God delights in deception, but that He allows the heart’s hidden seeds to grow into their final form — whether righteous or corrupt.

A WARNING FROM HEBREWS: RAIN THAT PRODUCES EITHER FRUIT OR THORNS

The author of Hebrews beautifully expands this principle:

Hebrews 6:7 (ESV)

“For land that has drunk the rain… and produces a crop… receives a blessing from God.”

Hebrews 6:8 (ESV)

“But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless… and its end is to be burned.”

This means:
The same Holy Spirit who blesses one believer may harden another.

Why?
Because of the state of the heart.

Many believers attend church, sing in choirs, participate in fellowship, and yet secretly indulge in sin. When the Spirit begins to move in the church, they expect blessing — but the Spirit instead intensifies the corruption already present.

This is why some people become worse after spending time in church — not better.

THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND THE TARES CONFIRMS THIS TRUTH

In Matthew 13:24–30, Jesus explains that both wheat and weeds grow together until the time of harvest.

The rain (symbolic of the Spirit) nourishes both.

The weeds grow stronger in order to be fully exposed before judgment.

Thus, when the Holy Spirit moves:
• the sincere become more holy,
• the false become more corrupt.

This matches Jesus’ teaching:

Luke 6:44 (ESV)

“Every tree is known by its own fruit.”

WHY SAUL RECEIVED “AN EVIL SPIRIT FROM THE LORD”

Many misunderstand this phrase.
Theologians explain that God did not “create evil” for Saul; rather:

✔ Saul rejected God,
✔ harbored jealousy, pride, and rebellion,
✔ and repeatedly disobeyed the commands given through Samuel.

So when the Spirit of the Lord departed (1 Samuel 16:14), God allowed a tormenting spirit to afflict him according to the condition of his heart.

The same Spirit who once empowered Saul for victory (1 Samuel 11:6) now exposed and magnified his inner corruption.

God had not changed — Saul had.

THE SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS MAGNIFY WHAT IS IN YOU

This is why Jesus warned believers to be careful in God’s house:

Luke 12:48 (ESV)

“To whom much is given, much will be required.”

The church is not a playground.
It is the environment where the Spirit works most intensely.

If you come with holiness, He will increase it.
If you come with sin, He will expose and intensify its consequences.

THE HOPE: THE SPIRIT MAKES GOOD SEED FLOURISH

The beautiful side of this truth is that the Holy Spirit empowers every righteous seed:

• If you sow holiness, He makes you holier.
• If you sow faith, He deepens your faith.
• If you sow love, He enlarges your love.
• If you study the Word, He multiplies revelation.

This fulfills Jesus’ promise:

John 16:13 (ESV)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”

This is why the Holy Spirit is called the Helper — He enables believers to become everything God intended.

 

Examine yourself.
What seeds are present in your heart?
What will the Spirit magnify when He descends?

Prepare your heart so that when the Spirit comes, He finds good seed — not weeds — and brings forth fruit that glorifies Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.”

May the Lord bless you and lead you into deeper truth.

 

Print this post

Search

Migawanyo