The Prophetic Word - Day 185: Following our own way leads us astray.

“O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When God created Lucifer, He made him perfect in all of his ways. Tragically, Lucifer’s pride caused him to rebel against his very Creator.

“Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭28‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The prophet Isaiah gives further incite into Satan’s rebellion.

““How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

And, we know, since Lucifer’s rebellion, he has tried to be the spoiler of God‘s plan for man. Yes, the one meant to bring light (Lucifer), has become the obstructor or accuser (Satan)!

Now, we know that Satan’s future end is destruction. But in the meantime, he’s going full scorched-earth, trying to take as many with him to destruction as he can, before his jig is up.

Make no mistake, the devil’s weapon of choice is to work through our lustful desires to provoke us to sin.

Indeed, James exhorts us to be aware of where sinful desires can lead.

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sin causes us to stumble away from God’s path. Indeed, sin IS deviating from God‘s way of being and doing.

The writer of Hebrews warns that sin trips us up as we navigate our “race” toward the Kingdom of God.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus came to offer forgiveness for our sins. Not only that, He gave a way to be set free from sin’s sway, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (the new nature!).

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, there is a way to stay on God’s path. But that only happens as we are OBEDIENT to His Spirit.

In our opening scripture we see God (through the prophet Hosea) pleading with His people to return to Him. They have “stumbled” away from Him because of their iniquity (sin). And, they are paying dearly for their rebellion. But, there is a way to return!

We will discuss more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

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