An eternal battle wages on inside every heart. The battle is fierce. God and Satan are fighting for your soul! I do not want you to gloss over this because you have heard it many times. God has pertinent truths He continually tells you. While this is the most beautiful reality ever, that God wants to commune with you, your flesh fights back, “No way, not going to happen,” thus a battle ensues.
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14) Because of the mighty work of Christ, Satan hates Jesus. He also hates any person who chooses to follow Jesus Christ in obedience. This nemesis of ours works tirelessly to keep us from believing Christ, OR he will put one distraction after another to keep you and I from growing up in the Lord. If he can keep us as spiritually immature as possible, then he has a way easier time getting us to turn our back on God.
The Bible talks about a distraction that is causing many to turn their backs on God. You see it in the United States, the love of money. In the book of Hosea, chapter 10 talks about this deadly sin. It’s a silent poison. It’s hard to detect because pride wraps itself around it.
Hosea talks about how prosperity leads to worshiping anything but God. When you can buy what you want, why do you need God? In verse 3, Hosea describes Israel as a people who didn’t fear God. “Who needs a king? What could he do for us anyway?” Our sinful souls don glasses that blind and confuse, and keep us from seeking our Lord and Savior.
While we walk the religious walk of attending church and reading the Bible even, we spout empty words and make vows that we don’t intend to keep nor learn from; see verse 4. We may act like we have faith, but our flesh ignores God. We really aren’t interested in abiding in Christ.
“The hearts of the people are fickle.”2
Faith is stunted when we let our flesh win the daily battles in walking with Christ. God says in verse 9, “You have made no progress whatsoever.” BUT, and this is a big BUT, if you are willing to turn around and surrender to the Lordship of Christ, He will help you! “Plant the good seeds of righteousness and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of our heart, for now is the time to seek the Lord that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.” 12
God fights tirelessly for our souls. There is never a day when He isn’t loving you and I. It’s time to stop and allow God to have full access into every area of our lives. What do you learn about God from Hosea 10 that should awaken you to how God deals with with those who love themselves more than He? Disobedience has a terrible cost.
You could say that we all must learn the art of surrendering. We, individually, give ourselves over to Jesus Christ and He does the rest! Seriously, God does all the work! We’re called to trust and obey by engaging our souls to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is three persons but acts in unison as one so you can’t walk by faith with just one or two of them. You need all three.
This is why you must walk alive to Christ daily, moment-by-moment. Every breath you take is a gift from above. You must dwell in His truths and discipline your mindset to think like Christ. He will help you! Or else, the enemy will take you down. Fight the good fight and become victorious in Christ as you let Jesus become greater and greater as you become less and less; see John 3:30.
Carol J German 