Forbidden Fruit



Forbidden Fruit



Proverbs 6:27-29 “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife: no one who touches her will go unpunished.”

Recently some friends and I went out for an enjoyable evening to celebrate one of our friend’s birthdays. Many other birthday parties were going on at the same venue as well. Towards the end of the night a very attractive gentleman approached me and asked if he could get to know me and take me out.  We exchanged numbers and shortly towards the end of the evening I received a very pleasant text. “It was very nice meeting you, he said, “Please text me when you get home so I know that you made it home safely.” I did, and must say I was impressed by his consideration.  Conversation began between us the next day and I was pleasantly surprised how respectful this gentleman seemed. Upfront I was able to share my faith without this person putting on his track shoes and jetting. The conversation was pure, rich, and intellectually inspiring and I have to admit I was looking forward to spending more time with this individual.  During that conversation, I asked him if he had ever been married before and his response was, “Yes, I have been married for X amount of years.” “Well, are you still married?” I asked thinking to myself that there is no way this man would carry on a conversation let alone ask me for my number or out for that matter. “Yes” he replied… to which I replied “Why would you even ask me for my number?” He continued to say “Because I was attracted to you, I know I was wrong on so many levels but I don’t regret doing so. I am happy I met you and really enjoy our conversation.” 

Before I share my reply, let me just pause and be transparent with what was going through my mind. Part of being a Christian is working out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Right then and there I knew I had a decision to make.

Option A would be to continue this conversation, claim to just be friends, not consider God’s heart in this, and choose to be selfish. Possibly meet up with this individual and potentially destroy a holy covenant between God, a man, and his wife. Not to mention the children involved and how one selfish act can tear away at the moral innocence of a child. Basically I would drag God’s name through the mud.

OR…

Option B which would be to speak the truth in love. Stand for God’s heart and on his word that says, “A man/woman who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself/herself. Blows and disgrace are his/her lot, and her/his shame will never be wiped away;” Proverbs 6:32-33 or Hebrews 13:4 which says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” I could see this as an opportunity to set my desires aside and see this from an eternal perspective, and represent God in this moment! I could decide not to take a bite of the forbidden fruit but speak the truth in love and run.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to take option A but by the grace of God I choose Option B. I thanked him for his honesty, told him I take marriage very seriously, and was uncomfortable getting to know a married man. Then I hung up and got on my face and prayed for his marriage and that he would be faithful and his wife would be enough.

If we represent God, then we need to realize that some stuff is just off limits for us. Another woman’s husband/wife is forbidden fruit and we have no right to violate that covenant or try to separate it period! I realize that there may be some people reading this that have or has and or are maybe still involved in an illicit relationship.  I pray that you would choose to trust that I do not write to condemn you in anyway but hopefully to present God’s heart in the matter.  It doesn’t matter if they are separated or going through a divorce, I encourage us to ask ourselves, why would we want to be a distraction to someone else’s divine moment? Maybe God needed to take them there in order for them to lean on God.  I have come across many Christian women who claim that another woman’s husband is supposed to be theirs. Or that they are in love with another person’s spouse.  To that woman or man I say gently in a spirit of love, stop living in self-deception! Unfortunately, years ago I am not proud to say that I have been that woman.  If the truth be told the most loving thing you can do in that situation is walk away. If we truly love others we put that other person’s needs before our own and we see this thing from the eternal perspective.  They made a vow before God and if they are willing to break that vow when you come along, then what?  Maybe they broke it before you came along but who’s to say that they won’t turn around and do the same thing to you? I realize people will argue and say, well maybe they don’t know God or maybe they married for the wrong reasons. I get that but we are discussing you and me. Most likely if you are reading this blog you have a relationship with God and you know the truth. The bible says it is a sin to know what to do but then don’t do it. We need to ask ourselves this question: Are you (the one in the mirror) really going to be able to stand before a Holy God on judgment day and justify your selfishness? OR explain the relational fallout that has occurred because you didn’t wait on God?  If they had grounds for a biblical divorce that’s different, but if you are the person they cheated with….um how can God bless that?

Unfortunately in the past I did choose option A BUT God in His mercy granted me repentance and I took it, kicking and screaming but it was the best decision I have ever made. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked who can know it.” We can’t trust our hearts that is why God has given us a conscience and if you are in Christ, He’s given us the Holy Spirit which brings conviction.  Sometimes we flat out desire the wrong things for various reasons, or the right things in the wrong time. He challenged me and showed me my own sinful selfish self-deception and how if I continued with that individual both of our lives would never be blessed! He gave me grace and strength to apologize, repent, and walk away. Thanks be to God that I have been fully redeemed and you can too! God is able!

 

 The fact that you are still drawing breath is a good sign that God still isn’t finished with you yet. First off if you are in one of these situations the bible says “Today if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your heart.”  The bible also tells us to “Repent, because the kingdom of God is at hand.” Repent means to change your mind about something and turn the other direction.” As I envision those who would possibly be reading this blog there are potentially different avenues to take.

1.      Maybe you have never received Christ as your Lord and Savior. You can today. He paid the price for your sin and mine. If that is you, email me at italiaj84@gmail.com , and I would love to pray with you and show you scripture on how to do that.

2.      Maybe you have turned from your sin but you are struggling with a married man or woman. I encourage you to end it. Tell God how you truly feel even if you desire to still be with them and ask God to give you His heart and supernatural strength to cut ties.

3.      Maybe you are about to face a situation like this ahead. I would say to you, be on guard! Guard your heart. Before I went out I prayed with my girl and asked God for His protection and He was faithful.

4.      Maybe you have already crossed those lines and you feel it is too late. He or she left them for you and now you’re left with guilt. You can’t fix that you have to surrender that to God. Read Mark 10:11-12 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”  To you I would say seek God’s face and seek Godly counsel to discern what your next step is.

Whatever circumstance you might be in this season, just know you are loved by God and by me. God can and will deliver you and give you strength to do the right thing. A lot of times we get caught up because we are at a vulnerable state and the enemy places that bait right in front of our eyes. Remember it’s not a sin to be tempted, it’s only when you yield to it. Next post I will talk about the importance of having guards and boundaries in place for your lives. In the meantime, find a marriage that is struggling and be a blessing to them. Pray for them, encourage them, or love on them! Be encouraged this week and stay in the fellowship of God! Live Fit4Eternity til the finish!

 

Love,

Jennifer

Focus on the Mission not the Mess! (Part 1)

2 Timothy 2:1-4 says; “(1) you then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

Paul was nearing the end of his life when he penned these words into existence to his beloved protégé Timothy. He knew it was close to the end and he needed to give his final marching orders to the next one who would carry the baton of faith. The church was being infiltrated by false teachers at all angles and was in desperate need of someone standing for the truth and not being afraid to preach it unapologetically. Today our churches are filled with all kinds of false teachers and doctrines and it is in desperate need of real authentic Christians who will shoulder kingdom responsibility side by side. Our world is in desperate need of faithful saints to give them hope!Sometimes we can become distracted, grow weary during our journey of faith but these verses can give us some insight on how to stay focused on what is the big picture.

Notice first of all the mission call is personal. Paul states “you then, my son (daughter)” He’s not speaking to just anyone. He’s talking to Timothy but in our day any New Testament believer who is a child of God. A common distraction is focusing on someone else’s journey and not your own. Paul is telling you and me, the one in the mirror is who God wants! What has God called us to do? Where has God called us to serve?

Next, in order to fulfill the mission, we need to focus on the power source: the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul states Christ first establishing His Deity then his Humanity. Jesus gave us unmerited favor through His grace. All we need to do when we start to loose strength is grab hold of the grace and focus on His example!

Then, Paul’s ministry was public. He had accountability in his life during his mission. Christianity is only successful inside community. Christianity is not private as well, there are not closet Christians. Notice he spoke publically in the presence of many witnesses. In our circles of influence do others know who we serve and who we stand for? Are we bold in sharing our faith?

Fourthly, the faith mission needs to be passed on to reliable people. Are you sharing your faith and passing on what you know to others that are in desperate need to have an encounter with the living God? Are we passing on the Good News of Jesus Christ to others who in turn will pass it on to others? Are we fulfilling the Great Commission?

Fifthly, our mission is inevitably painful. We are going to experience some sort of pain as soldiers for Christ. In fact in the very next chapter 2 Timothy 3:12 states that “indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus experienced the ultimate pain we are his soldiers why would we expect to experience anything less? Focus on His example! When he suffered what did he do? Read the Gospels.

Finally our mission should be focused on pleasing Christ not man. Paul warns Timothy don’t get distracted or caught up in civilian affairs. Now it’s time to get practical. What are some examples of civilian affairs that we might become caught up in…?

·         A phone call received that exposes more mess but you have chosen to forgive...

·         A temptation to react in your flesh but you yield to your spirit

·         An opportunity to take matters in your own hands but instead you cast all your cares upon the Father because He cares for us

·         Weariness comes over you and tempts you to just give up but you grab hold of the grace in Jesus Christ and persevere

·         Other Christians aren’t going through the same pruning as you but you chose to rejoice and not grow bitter

·         Your loved one is determined to wreck their life but instead of worry you chose to trust that God is able

·         Thoughts of the betrayal race through your head but you choose to take every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ.

Whatever our situations are, we need to keep our eyes on the mission not the mess! Don’t get distracted people’s souls are depending on you to keep your eyes on the mission and fulfill your call! Answer the call of duty Beloved and Stay focused til’ the finish and live Fit4eternity!

If this has blessed you in any way please share it!