"Lest we be Defiled" by Daniel Chuter

“Follow peace with all men without, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” Hebrews 12:14-15. It is time for us to be healed and to move on.

Bitterness is the seed bed for every demonic work. It will destroy any Christian. The safeguard against it is to remain in the spirit of forgiveness continually. When Satan comes to bruise, do not receive the hurt.  Immediately release it by forgiveness.

In Germany for example there has been an unresolved bitterness that has sprung up and caused two world wars.  It is an extreme example, but sobering to think that there are unresolved issues that might erupt like a volcano at any point.

 But the real problem is that bitterness is an open door to torment from the enemy.  To the believer this is as true.  The writer to the Hebrews talks to believers facing a certain amount of opposition to a newly found faith.

We need to forgive and release bitterness and not give land to the enemy.  We are living in times where we can be deceived into thinking that all is peaceful, but unresolved issues lie dormant, just under the surface.

The land was occupied in the story of Gideon found in Judges Chapter 6. In verse 1 it tells us that Israel had done evil.  Therefore we find our hero hiding like much of the population (verse 2). Perhaps this is very indicative of the state of much of our land these days… Are we not hiding… are there not unresolved issues lying dormant… is the enemy not living in our midst?

 Understandably Gideon was bitter (verse 13). When God turns up, what’s really in our hearts? Is it disappointment, discouragement and fear?  God called Gideon to rise above his bitterness.  God made a similar suggestion to Cain in Genesis 4:6-7. It appears that God requires a certain response… Is it not brokenness, worship from the heart and belief despite pain and faith?  We are righteous not because of what we have done or could ever do; and in fact giving God what we think He wants will always lead to disappointment. So we need to discover what pleases God; and it is always faith, but in the saving blood and death and resurrection of His Son!

It is time to release our bitterness unless worse attaches itself to out lives and our land.

We hang in the balance more than we think… God is looking at the heart and requires our humility. 1 Peter 5:5-8 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about seeking those whom he may devour.”

"God is Looking..." by Daniel Chuter

God is looking for people who will worship Him.  Within our region in the UK, (Bath area), He longs to open the wells of true worship expressed in many forms such as art, drama, dance, singing.

But we are discouraged and often feel bitter… (Genesis 4:4) “and Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.  And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, why art thou wrath, and why is thy countenance fallen.  If thou do the right thing, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him”.

In the book of Hebrews we see a similar concept… (Hebrews 12:14) “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man will see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled.”

 So God seems to respect or honour what is offered under His parameters, which is the saving sacrifice of Jesus that was offered as a lamb in our place… that he died and shed his blood for our deliverance but much more he was raised unto new life that we may live a new life.  He offers this gift but wants our humility and brokenness.  His desire is to quench our deepest thirst… He knows our pain when no one else does… (John 4:11) “the well is deep” But like the woman at the well we know only He can help. (John 4:19) “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet”.

 He must be known as King and deserves our “everything”. (Revelation 4:10) “the four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast there crowns before the throne saying thou art worthy, O Lord to receive honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”. But He came down into our darkness in the form of a servant and is with those who are humble. (Isaiah 57:15) “For thus says the High and Lofty One that inhabit eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones”.

 The effect of what he offers can only be expressed in new and powerful forms, weapons in the hearts and mouths of an army that God is raising up in these days, who will not compromise or settle for the same that many of us have; having “been in the field” for too long! (Luke 15:28).