I WILL NEVER GO BACK to the sin that Jesus saved me from and the nasty miry pit He plucked me out of. Never. I am resolved to not go back to Egypt. There’s nothing for me in those sinful pleasures. I hate the things I did and took part in. I hate who I was before Christ. But there’s more stinkier things lurking in the dark, seeking to devour our souls: resentment, bitterness and offenses. I have told people for years to guard your heart from all bitterness because it defiles and blackens the soul.
“Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace, in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it–” Hebrews 12:15
Did you read that friend? “Fails to secure God’s grace” from a root of bitterness. Esau’s offense was from his own hand of resentment. I refuse to have anything to do with bitterness, resentment, offenses or unforgiveness. No way, no how. I choose love. I choose to extend mercy, even if it’s not received. I choose forgiveness, even if there’s no reconciliation. I choose the abundant life and blessings that follow an obedient heart. I
will not speak bad to you about others that have wronged me, I might warn you of divisive people; but love covers a multitude of sins. I refuse to play the enemy’s games. I will tell you the truth, even when you don’t like it. I will not receive a false report and refuse to listen to hateful slander and gossip, but will choose to live in the fear of the Lord all the day long. I will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sit in the seat of the scorners. I will delight myself in His Word and guard my heart with all diligence. I will keep my eyes on the prize.
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
Psalms 1:1-2 NKJV
We are commanded to throw off the sin AND every weight that hinders, every offense and bitterness that defiles so that we may see clearly the race set before us. What is hindering you from running freely? Unforgiveness, holding an offense, and a root of bitterness will hinder you and ultimately defile you. Is your heart pure and cleansed from these things? I choose life. Whose with me?
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
