Ezra 9:1-2 (KJV) Says, "Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass." Ezra 9:10-12 (KJV) Says, "And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying The land unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever."
In the above passages of scripture taken from the book of Ezra the Israelites are commanded by God, through the mouth of the prophets, not to allow their sons and daughters to marry the sons and daughters of the people of the lands that they are going in to possess. The reason for this is because the people of the lands are committing abominations, and the lands are filled with sin from one end to another. The Israelites did not heed the commandment of God given them by the prophets. They chose instead to mingle with, and marry the sons and daughters taken from among the people of these lands. As stated above the holy seed, including the princes and rulers, mingled themselves with the people of those lands.
God knew that if the Israelites began to marry and mingle among the people of the lands they would give in to their fleshly desires, and begin committing the abominations and sins that were so common among those people. He knew that their wealth and material possessions along with their activities would be tempting to the Israelites, and therefore He warned them in advance not to fall prey to these things. The Israelites were told not to seek the peace or the wealth of those people for ever, and that if they did not marry and mingle among them they would be strong, eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to their children forever, but knowing all this they still failed to resist the temptations that came before them.
Unfortunately, we as Christians don't seem to have learned very much from what the Israelites did, when they fell in among the people of the lands they were to possess, and began behaving as one of them. I don't think that many of us would disagree with the fact that we are living in a world where abominations and sin are abundant, but as followers of Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we guard ourselves against the temptations set before us. We are to go out into the world as witnesses for Christ, giving our testimony, and leading as many people as possible to the Lord. We are commanded to show love and kindness toward one another, and we are told that it is by this that we will be recognized as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us these things in John 13:34-35 (KJV). As Christians we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and the light God gave us should shine bright for the whole world to see. Far too many Christians have allowed the light within them to grow dim, and it's past time for us to turn up our lights allowing them to shine in what has become a very dark world.
If we could look back at this group of Israelites and watch them mingle among the people of the lands they were to possess, do you think we would be able to identify the believers from the non-believers? Do you go out into the world, dim your light, and join others in activities you know would be displeasing to God? Do you listen to music with filthy lyrics, watch television shows and movies that you know are nothing a Christian should be watching? Do you listen to dirty jokes, and laugh with everyone around you? Do you curse, and say things you know are not Godly? Do you go wherever your friends ask you to go simply to fit in? Have you convinced yourself that somehow these things are small infractions, and not a very big deal? If so, let me remind you that no sin is greater than another, and that it is impossible to represent Christ, when we are knowingly living in disobedience to Him.
If someone were placing believers and non-believers into two different categories according to the way they lived their lives, in which category would they place you? Does your light shine brightly in this dark world? Do you live your life in a manner that is pleasing to God? Do you attempt to be the best representative for Christ that you can be on a daily basis? Do you witness to others with words, and actions? Or do you go out into the world and behave in the same manner that those around you are behaving in whether it is Christ-like or not? I urge you to be honest with yourself, and to consider how serious these things are. What are we doing as disciples of Jesus Christ, if people cannot tell the difference between us, and a non-believer? Turn you light up, and stand strong in your beliefs. Be the disciple that you know God wants you to be. Don't go out and join others in conversation, or activity that you know is not Godly. Instead of being swayed by individuals to participate in something you know full well you shouldn't participate in, be an example for them in hope that they too will find the Lord, or have the desire to get back on track if they have derailed. Stay strong in Christ, witness in word and action, love one another, be the disciple you know you can be. Turn that light up!!
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
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