STRIFE OPENS DOORS TO EVIL SPIRITS


 By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi
      Genesis 34:1-2 NLT "One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area. But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her."
          The word "Dinah " is a Hebrew word which means judgment, plea, strife .Dinah was Jacob's daughter : a product of the rivalry between two sisters in a polygamous relationship. Polygamy is premised on gender inequality and could lead to bitterness ,low-self esteem and bitter rivalry.It is impossible to love two wives equally.
         Whenever a system considers one section of society inferior ,it is bound to lead to unpleasant agitations, for example those making a case for polygamy while claiming to be promoters of the ideals of gender equality are faced with two fundamental questions, firstly, why did not God give Adam more than one wife? And why doesn't polygamy permit a woman to have two or more husbands for the purpose of equity and justice between the sexes.
        This inequality formed the foundation of Dinah's childhood : in a bid to escape the emotional trauma, she became unnecessarily adventurous beyond acceptable boundaries. While on a familiarization  tour of the land of the Canaanites; a people without the fear of God; known for  idol worship and sexual abuse as is common among heathen nations, she became a victim of rape by the king’s son. This infuriated her brothers who went on a revenge mission and killed the rapist  and his cohorts (Gen.34:27)
          While there is no justifiable reason for the rape of any person , we are admonished to avoid creating the occasion for a temptation .God often warns before a disaster occurs. This is to enable us take precautionary measures against the enemy .There must be first a favorable condition before a temptation can materialize Gal.5:13 says "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only   use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one  another." Strife facilitates temptation making us vulnerable to Satan's antics.
         James 3:16 kjv says "For  where envying and strife is, there  is confusion and every evil work. " Envy and strife are the bedrock for temptation .Dinah was raised in a family that promoted strife from generation to generation. Materialism, favoritism and competitiveness fuels the embers of strife in families and communities.This is what happens when we start to measure a person's blessing by his or her material possessions.This is contrary to the scripture in Ephesians 1:3 which declares equal blessing upon God's people.No christian is more blessed than the other. Fingers may differ in sizes but they belong and are nourished by the same blood system: so it is with our christian life experience.
    Whoever has Jesus Christ, has everything. Therefore, it makes no sense to fight over anything.This kind of thinking shuts the doors to Satan ;a contrary view is an abuse of grace .Strife between parents could lead to a child losing consciousness of the covenant of God's blessing  resulting in the abuse of grace and liberty .The liberty in Christ doesn't include the liberty to be promiscuous; it is a liberty from sin(Gal.5:13) and comes with peace.Parents should do everything possible to keep peace in the home for the sake of their children.
        Satan uses persons to entice us (Proverbs1:10) and they often appear as messengers from God (2Cor.11:14-15) it should not be said that God is responsible for the temptation whenever we yield to their antics (James 1:13-15) temptation is the byproduct of a corrupted heart.
      It is okay to be tempted, Jesus was tempted too (Matt.4:1-11), however  your response to the temptation is what matters. We should always pray to be saved from temptations which is as a result of self-confidence (1Cor.10:12) Dinah was a victim of her self-confidence that's why we should watch and pray for a humble and discerning heart (Matt6:13) while we put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians.6:10-18).We should not turn our backs against God for momentary pleasures (Gen 39:6-20) the result of overcoming temptations is divine promotion.
      Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me for my sins against you. I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation, I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace to overcome temptation in Jesus name
Prayer / counseling + 2348098536911 + 2348035536911 Email : Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Pics credit : pixabay .

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