Monday, 19^th February 2024

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23, Proverbs 4:23
Memory Verse: Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)

While we are to walk in agape love especially amongst relationship with the opposite sex, we have to take heed, lest Satan takes advantage of us. There is something I have tagged emotional loopholes or emotional carelessness, as the case may be. Take for instance:

1.Your spouse travelled abroad, and there came this opposite gender in your office or even in your church who FREQUENTLY act in kindness to you in all honesty. If you don’t guard your heart with all diligence, his/her good acts may lead to an emotional infidelity for you. This is one good reason while you must pass through constituted authority whenever you want to be a blessing to another. This Old serpent is more experienced than you and full of cunning devices. Give no room to the devil. A good act may turn evil if not well guarded.

2.You are in courtship with someone who is studying or working far away from where you are. As a young person, you may catch the attention of other people. One thing could lead to another, and your love for your fiancé/fiancee starts dwindling. Be warned. Ensure there is a healthy boundary between you and any other person you haven’t FORMALLY given your consent. What’s wrong with you? What is an opposite gender doing in your room by 10pm? You are playing with fire in your bossom (Proverbs 6: 27-29).

3.Innocently and in brotherly love, he takes the baby of this sister in her unit in church with him anytime they both are going for a ministerial meeting every Sunday. That became a regular practice. One day, a senior colleague who knows he is not married to this sister carefully told him, “Brother, so that your good deed may not be evil spoken of, refrain from this act.” (Romans 14:16). Thank God for the spirit of humility. The brother pondered on these words, examined himself and managed the situation in wisdom.

4. In distress, she was struggling with masturbation and pornography. She met a so-called man of God whose flesh has not been crucified. He exploited her weakness. While you must seek good counsel and you shouldn’t die in isolation nursing your personal problems, please discern the vessel you are confiding with by the fruit coming out of their lives. There are wolves in sheep clothes (Matthew 7:15). Consult only a Christian counsellor who is bearing the fruit of the Spirit. 

Quote: Guard your heart diligently. Examine yourself deeply. Set healthy boundary. 
Prophetic Decree: Any crafty devices of the enemy to hijack your emotions shall not stand, in Jesus name.

Prayer Focus 

1. O Lord, please deliver me from the lies I tell myself, in Jesus name.
2. Arrow of desecration fired at my heart, backfire, in Jesus name.
3. I receive a fresh baptism of emotional and spiritual intelligence, in Jesus name.
4. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23 -24).
5. Holy Spirit, please sharpen my discernment. I will not share my problems with another agent of darkness in sheep clothing, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 16-18