THIS WEEK, BEWARE OF FRIENDS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT DRAW YOU BACK

It’s important to remember that the human nature rarely adjusts to change except there’s a reaction or enforcement from the one who initiated the change. For instance, motorbikes have been ban several times in my state, yet you’d still see motorbikes ride even on expressways daily. The only time you may not see them is when law enforcement agencies or a special task force unit come out to catch violators.

Even when they do come out, you’d still see some bikes operating – except that they won’t go near any point where these law enforcement agents may be. Amazingly, the moment these law enforcement agents retreat from their operation, bikes would be back again to the roads as though a ban never existed. In fact, I had to ask my colleagues one of those days if the ban on motorbikes had been lifted.

Consequently, there are more strict areas where bikes wouldn’t dare to operate. Law enforcers are everywhere, and a bike man wouldn’t be able to make one successful trip in a whole day. The only solution would therefore be to align themselves to the ban.

Now that’s exactly what you should do concerning your family and friends who keep drawing you back to a life you’ve left behind. If they can’t respect the fact that you’re now born again and your spiritual growth is important, then you need to be very strict in your relationship with them. In Mark 9:47 Jesus Himself said “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire”.

That may sound mean, but it’s true. If your family and friends causes you to sin, then pluck them out. It’s better to enter the kingdom of God without them than having them and still be cast into hell fire. Ofcourse “plucking” them out doesn’t necessarily mean you should cut off from them completely, it could also mean that you should cut off the privileges they have that puts them right in your face and in your skin. If they continue to have free access to your face and skin, then it would remain an easy task to introduce lust to you – the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. And those are the things that make a man sin, even believers.

If it is the money they spend on you that makes you fall for them easily, then my dear, you’d have to stop taking money from them. It may be a difficult task, especially if you depend on them for your upkeep, but if that’s the price you have to pay to follow Jesus, then it’s worth it. Moreover, there is nothing you sacrifice to follow Jesus that you won’t get back in hundred folds, both in this world and that which is to come. Let’s see how scriptures put it:

Mark 10:
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Did you notice the things that Jesus permits us to leave for His sake and the sake of the gospel? House, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or even lands. I remember how my wife was worried about a property that was willed to her; when I noticed that it was already causing strife between she and her people, I told her to cut off from every discussion that had to do with that property and focus on the kingdom of God. Strife is not a fruit of the Spirit.

Thank God she listened to me, because less than two years after she cut off from them, they called her to come and collect all her documents. There is really nothing you give up for the sake of the kingdom that you won’t get back in return, even in a multiplied state. Personally, I know how I had to cut off from certain rich friends and relationships that were not helping with my spiritual growth, but today, I’m connected to not just rich people, but people who have great influence in society.

I hope I didn’t make this sound so easy, because in reality, it’s not. But the good thing is, the Holy Spirit will always be there to help you. He’d give you wisdom where you need to. For instance, if you’re a student that depends on your parents for school fees, then it’s wisdom to make them understand why you have to practice your new found faith. If they ask you to choose between them and your spirituality, please ensure you allow your inner convictions speak for you. Ensure that you don’t make any decision in the flesh or with emotions.

Remember, if your right eyes offend you, pluck it out. It is better to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have both eyes and burn in hell fire.

I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.

Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!

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