divineinsight:BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA
Too often we allow the enemy to intimidate us and move us from our position in Christ. The reality of who we are is often deluged by our mistakes. Jesus, in talking to the accusers of the woman who had been caught in sin asked a question: “let any man who has not sinned be the first to cast a stone?” Each individual who brought this woman before Jesus felt righteous in their own way. But their self-righteousness was their blind fold because they had accused someone of sin, yet they themselves were struggling with sin. Being a Christian does not mean a person will not make a mistake. The Bible says: “Let no man say he sins not for if you say you do not sin, you make him a liar.”
Allison Mahon in the book, My Release says: “I often wonder what Jesus wrote on the ground while the adulterous woman was being condemned by the men in her village. Imagine the shame and fear she must have felt!”
It’s one thing to sin in secret, but another to have your sin displayed on a public notice board. Can you imagine what people would say about you if they knew some of your secret indiscretions? Too often we feel no compassion for others. But we expect compassion in times of our shortcomings.
The accusers left the woman they had condemned and found guilty before a loving and forgiving master. Man condemns others when they themselves struggle with the same issues. A person who always shouts at how woman who dress in a certain way are sinners can be struggling with lust and tries to blame others for their own issue. Allison goes on to say, “Condemnation is an assault on your soul and your mind. It causes great fear and anxiety. It is accusatory. You feel defeated and stressed. I remember there were times I just wanted to run and hide. It is extremely difficult to live victoriously when the venom of condemnation is being filtered into your heart, by your own thoughts or the deception of Satan. Condemnation is designed to weigh you down, stifle, suffocate, choke and ultimately kill its victims.”
Being a Christian does not mean you will not make mistakes but if you do not understand your position you will allow the enemy to condemn you and bind you in his web. I am not saying continue living in that mistake but am saying do not let sin have dominion over your soul. He can use those close to you as tools to accuse you and remind you of your weakness, but I believe his love moves us from any web or entrapment the enemy sets for us.
Sometime back, some ecologists expressed great concern about the destruction of wildlife and the environment as a result significant oil spills at sea. In recent years, many birds have been killed due to these spills. For humans, however, the loss of oil may result in the subsequent loss of resources. And it may be premature to know the magnitude of damage the oil spills may cause to our environment. But ecologists have been able to validate the danger these spills pose to wildlife.
Researchers suggest that most birds never survive the effects of the oil spills unless they are rescued. Oil affects the bird by coating their plumage. The plumage refers to the bird feathers, including their colour and pattern. Bird feathers are aligned and designed to provide waterproofing and insulation. The oil can cause the bird’s feathers to matte and misalign the tiny barbs that keep the feathers properly positioned. Even a small misalignment can cause birds to lose body heat, therefore exposing them to extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Oiled birds also lose their natural buoyancy from air pockets created by proper feather alignment, and they can drown in the polluted waters. This is exactly what condemnation does to us spiritually. Unless we allow God’s love and forgiveness to wash and cleanse us, we will never break free from the grip of condemnation. It is time to break free. God bless you.
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l Humphrey Mtandwa is an anointed minister of the gospel and teacher of the Word based in South Africa. He has written several books including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness and Theophany. He blogs at mtandwa.blogspot.com and can be contacted via e-mail or WhatsApp on +27 610286350.
