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PUBLISHED ON JULY 11, 2022
– by Gabriel Agboeze
Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2: 12 KJV
Open display of declaration and acts of faithfulness to God can be deceiving if it cannot go beyond doing it in the open to your secret place. What you do when others are seeing you is not the pass mark the Lord uses to grade you, as a matter of fact what you do in the secret and in your private moments is what the Lord uses to know the state of your heart. Abraham’s household and all that were pertained to him knew him to be a God-fearing man, but when God tested him to sacrifice Isaac that was when God knew that Abraham can go any length for Him. Public acts are good, but public declarations alone will not secure a seat for you at the throne room of God if it is not replicated in the secret place.
The picture you paint of you in the presence of your parents, pastors, employees, is good but it is useless if it’s different from the real you when no one is watching. Being watchful and ready when we’re alone is the definition of our Christian faith. The tendency to behave well when people are around has been confirmed to be high, but the tendency to go astray when one is alone is very high. This is the reason why you must protect your private moments, do not allow any pressure from any quarter to make you act in an unpleasant manner that will take the Spirit of God away from you. David was a faithful king to his God and people, one appointed by God and a reference point when you’re looking for a lover of God. This was the picture his people had of him. But in his secret desires, he planned the death of another man (Uriah the Hittite) in his bedroom because of the desire to possess Uriah’s wife; Bathsheba. 2Samuel 11-12. Guard yourself against the feelings of secret desires when you’re alone. The devil won’t tempt you in church, it will tempt you after the service when you’re home, and your ability to say no is what brings victory.
Today’s thought: “what you do in the secret is the real you.”
Keynote: Conduct yourself well at all times, not only when you’re where people are seeing you. Your definition is what you do when no one is seeing you.
Counsel: The fear of the Lord should stop you from misbehaving or acting in any wrongful and evil manner. When alone, saturate your presence with good worship songs, it helps a lot.
Prayer: Lord, may I never miss it in Jesus name. Whatever it is that is contending for Your place in my life, I take authority against such powers via the blood of Jesus. I shall never succumb to any evil act in the name of Jesus. It is well me and my actions will glorify You Lord, amen.