The Prophetic Word - Day 37: Divided loyalty ends in disaster.
- May 25, 2023
- 3 min read
“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
James 1:6-8 NLT
Apparently, the church at Corinth had a lot of problems. Indeed, among the things about which Paul had to correct them was their condoning of sexual immorality.
Additionally, it seems that they were compromising with the world in many other ways. This seems to be why Paul used the words of Isaiah 52:11 to instruct them to separate themselves from the practices of the world:
“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.””
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NLT
The passage in Isaiah from which Paul draws this command comes in the midst of God’s promise to restore His people to their land, to a completely restored Zion!
Now, consider the promises we have been made of the glory set before us when Christ rules and reigns and we rule and reign with Him. Should not we follow the same command to separate ourselves from the bondage of this world system? Should not we operate here with the mindset of the people in the great “Hall of Fame of Faith” who considered themselves strangers and pilgrims in this world?
“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT
It is no wonder that the Lord gave repeated cautions to His people about operating separately from the idolatrous world system.
In cases of being yoked together with unbelievers, the effect is often compromise from the child of God and equivocation in terms of God’s word.
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?”
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NLT
Of course, we have to operate in this world. Yes, we are to be lights shining in the darkness.
However, as discussed yesterday: Our affection must not be on its things or its way of being and doing.
““No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.””
Luke 16:13 NLT
Using the example of the love of money—or being a servant to money—the Lord pointed out that we cannot serve two masters. If our affection and our love are divided between the Lord and anything in this world, then we do not truly belong to Him.
In our opening scripture we see that a double-minded person is unstable in every area of their lives.
Therefore, in order to serve the Lord without staggering and falling away, we must serve Him with all our heart, soul, and mind!
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
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