Topic: The Price of Ignorance
Text: 2 Corinthians 2 :5-11
Key verse: …So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
Some battles have been won by wisdom rather than by might so as we engage in spiritual warfare we cannot ignore the important role of godly wisdom. This is very important especially when your warfare is in the area of relationships.
There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it.
A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward, no one thought to thank him.
When you are dealing with conflict in the home front, you must be extremely sensitive to the Holy Spirit to be guided on the right approach for that battle. Many have been too combative and succeeded in winning the battle but have lost their children, businesses, marriage, and even their health. When you are dealing with conflict in your home, the enemy has access to you more than before and so you are more vulnerable to his attack.
Abraham took Lot his nephew along with him without God’s consent, he relied on human sentiment as a basis for his action but few years down the road, his nephew became so big that conflict arose between his servants and Abraham’s servant. Abraham could have taken up arms to go to battle to exact supremacy but he chose the path of wisdom and opted for a peaceful resolution, and he refused to give any opportunity to the devil.
The fact that you are family does not mean conflicts will never arise, the enemy makes it his business to sow seeds of discord wherever peace reigns. The kingdom of God is defined by three words: righteousness, peace, and joy. The adversary of the believer constantly works to see that these three things do not happen. So don’t make your battles all about your comfort, interests, and dreams ask yourself before engaging in battle; is my action producing righteousness, peace, and joy?
for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
When dealing with offense it is important to listen to the Holy Spirit, you may want to punish the offender but you must be careful to know when to give forgiveness and restore the relationship. Postponing reconciliation can provide the devil an advantage against you. Some women refuse to forgive their husbands even when apologies have been given, friends and family have mediated and they wait until the devil plants another woman in their home, then their eyes are opened to real warfare.
Sometimes in anger, we may throw our children out of the home to teach them a lesson only to expose them to the level of depravity that they never knew before.
A classic example is the battles David had to fight in his home with his children, Ammon sinned against his sister Tamar, David was silent l don’t know what he was thinking, but his inaction led Absalom to take vengeance for his sister. This offense was equally not addressed because David was not careful to notice the subtle attacks the enemy was mounting against him. It was already late when Joab started to initiate reconciliation between David and Absalom, the seed of insurrection had already been sown in Absalom’s heart. David was now faced with going to battle against his son in his kingdom.
Parents need the wisdom to contend for their families, couples need to ask for divine wisdom for conflict resolutions, business partners need to seek righteousness, peace, and joy as the basis for decision making and not just financial benefit. You might just be able to save your life, family, marriage, and business if you act in wisdom.
David fought and won many battles even against giants, but the battle for the soul of his family he lost. You might say judgment had been spoken over him because of his sin against Uriah, but l remind you that your case is different, you are now equipped by the knowledge you have received not to give any foothold to the devil through sin, so put on the armor of righteousness.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. Proverbs 4:7
But if any of you lacks wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1:5
Some battles will be won in these last days, just by walking in love, giving forgiveness freely, and choosing peace. May the Lord bless you and your households with divine wisdom to keep off the wiles of the devil in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Roses&Thorns
