Don’t Take the Detour!
Staying the course toward complete healing and wholeness
Let me begin by quoting the Apostle Paul, who said,”You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. And please don’t toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment” (Galatians 5:7-10 The Message).
Can you relate to Paul’s words? Have you ever found yourself running the race… staying the course…believing God’s Word… with a full tank of faith, when all of the sudden, you get off on a detour designed by the devil? I don’t like those devil-designed detours! They’re all about delays and discouragement.
Here are 10 ways the devil plots to delay you, discourage you, or run you into a dead end… if you recognize the signs, you can avoid the detour!
Detour #1: Unforgiveness
I once heard it said, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, expecting the other person to die.” No matter how justified we believe we are in refusing to forgive someone, ultimately we are the ones who feel the pain. READ — Mark 11:22-26, Matthew 6:10-15, John 20:23
Detour #2: Improper Care of the Body
Of all the religions of the world, we Christians are the only people who can say that the Spirit of our God lives inside of us. Are you doing your best to care for the “house” that the Holy Spirit lives in? Your body is the vehicle that will carry you through life. Proper care is key. READ — Philippians 2:25-30, 1 Corinthians 6:19
Detour #3: Merely Chasing After Signs & Wonders
Are you seeking God’s presents… or His presence? READ– Romans 10:17, John 4:46-48, Matthew 12:38-39
Detour #4: Ignorance
Sometimes, what you don’t know can hurt you. READ — Isaiah 5:13-14, Hosea 4:6-7, Proverbs 1:7
Detour #5: Little or No Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please God. If your “faith tank” runs dry… just fill it up! READ — Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:21, Hebrew 4:2&6, Mark 6:5-6
Detour #6: Robbing God in Tithes and Offerings
Nothing says “I don’t trust You, God,” quite like holding on to the tithe. READ — Malachi 3:8-11
Detour #7: Habitual Sin
Keep in mind, that the devil has been making observations about you for years… and he knows which “buttons to push” to get you off course. Start making some of your own observations about how the devil is manipulating you. This will enable you to break the pattern and avoid the detour. READ — Gal 5:19-21, Romans 6:1-2, Romans 6:23
Detour #8: Refusing or Despising Instruction
Sometimes I tell my kids, “There are two ways you can learn… my pain…or yours.” While not everyone qualifies to speak into our lives and bring correction, some people do. If we can take criticism and correction from those who love us and care about us, then we can avoid detours. This is also true of the Word of God. If we can take correction from the scriptures, we can save ourselves lots of pain. READ — Proverbs 5:11-14, Isaiah 28:8-19
Detour #9: Not Discerning the Lord’s Body
When we take communion, we affirm our part in the New Covenant established by Jesus. We are also affirming that we are in covenant with others who are also part of this New Covenant, and therefore part of the body of Christ. Failure to do this, runs the risk of bringing damnation on ourselves. READ — 1 Cor 11:27- 30
Detour #10: Not Resisting the Enemy
The next time the devil knocks on your door with a “special delivery,” don’t be so quick to sign for the package. REFUSE IT! You can resist the devil. READ — 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7-8, Deut. 30-19
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Enjoy your day!
