Weekend Devotion: The prophet who warns. God loves to encourage; part of love is also warning of upcoming disaster and discerning what is God and what is not God.

I am not into the mantra of, “God is punishing the world, that’s why disasters happen.” Jesus came to save the world (John 3:16). I am also not of the camp of “We do no wrong or God never says, ‘Hey, you need to pray because something not great is coming’.”

The truth is God speaks, God warns, God instructs, and God issues calls to repentance. Part of love is saying, “Pray, something not good is headed your way.” God raises up watchmen on the wall who listen to Him and pray with Jesus. It’s not their kingdom come, their will be done. It’s His Kingdom come, His will be done.

The truth is humanity sins. If you do not believe this truth, turn on your local news. Jesus paid to free us from slavery to sin. We are to be Christ focused, not sin focused. Yet our mass culture has a propensity to be neither God centered nor aware of the trauma sin brings nor the authority given to the evil one through our agreement.

Sin is agreement with the devil. Agreement with the devil means he is given authority where Jesus stripped him of authority. Where there was no power and authority, he is given the ability to kill, steal, and destroy. God put Satan under the believers feet. We can choose to agree with him or God.

I live in a country where repentance is sometimes a dirty word. There are people who teach that God does not see our lawlessness, He just sees Jesus. There are some who teach sin is no big deal, just live how you want and confess later. There are some who teach there are no consequences for our choices and we have zero accountability as believers. So what happens is the evil one is given access to believers lives and the lives of others through willful participation in partnership with the devil. Then the question for believers becomes, “Why is my life a mess? I love Jesus.” Well, the Bible is clear, “I set before you life and death-choose life,”~from Duet 30:15-16. There is a mega blessing attached to agreeing with God.

I also see throughout scripture God sounding the alarm with His prophets. Yes, there are false prophets all over who profess doom and gloom. There are also false prophets who preach and teach peace and what the people want to hear.

God is truth. God is balanced. God will tell those close to His heart, “Pray for your adversary the devil is on the prowl, seeking whom He may devour. Pray because the people have opened a door through immorality to the gates of the enemy. Pray lest you fall. Pray.”

If you were standing on a train track and a locomotive was headed right for you, and I watched it hit you, would you say I love you? I hope not. The person who loves you yells, “Get out of the way. A train is coming!! You are going to die if you stay on this track!!! Choose life.” This is what I know of God. He is the One proclaiming, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Choose life; choose My Son.”

I have also seen God heighten discernment. Discernment is not simply deciphering between what is wrong and right. It is deciphering between what is right and almost right.

Satan is a liar, deceiver and twister of words. He does not always just present the biggest lie possible; often He presents a twisted truth, a subtle lie. It almost seems right, yet it’s not. Followers of Jesus are called to abide in His truth. If we know God, know His word, and His Spirit is in us, then we can prayerfully spot counterfeit from what’s real. The best way to know counterfeit is to become intimate with what is authentic.

I truly believe in prophets like Jesus who did not come to shame people, yet never tailored their message to win a popularity contest. Jesus spoke truth in love. Jesus warned of the consequences of partnership with the devil. Jesus preached repentance (agreeing with God). Jesus spoke of the things of Papa God’s heart. Jesus walked in the authority of the Father uncontaminated. Jesus was a true King, Priest, Son, and Prophet.

Papa God please forgive us for any agreement with the evil one. Help us to align with your truth. Please help us to listen and hear your voice above them all. Please lead us on a path of your truth. Help us to live out of your heart. Let your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Love,

Erin Lamb