My heart suddenly went after the young man. He’s been incommunicado for weeks. I tried reaching him once again. Fortunately, I was able to get across to him. The first words that came out of his mouth revealed the very state of his life; “Pastor, I have gone astray.” I tried probing into what went wrong as I invited him over for a chat. It was clear the devil took advantage of his decision to stay away.
Friend, beware of contactless Christianity (Judges 18:28). There are things that people ignorantly say that made me know that the devil is on their case. Words like “God told me to stay off Church for 21 days so as to spend time with Him.” “I just want to be alone for some time. I have been having some dealings with God, that’s why I have not been around.”
Most of these high sounding words that tend to wrap God around people’s actions only end up revealing more of their ignorance (Ephesians 4:18-21). There are things God cannot just say. Sometimes, it is the devil speaking to such people. At other times, it is pride or ignorance. Most times, it is their flesh talking. Divine communication does not violate divine order as established in scriptures.
God connects us to vital relationships. The devil tries to isolate us. You need to beware of contactless Christianity. Christianity is personal but not private. You cannot do life alone. You should know God for yourself, but you cannot know God by yourself. Never jettison the place of community in your quest for spiritual growth and development. The early Church mirrored the importance of community; they had all things in common (Acts 2:41-47).
There is a reason God sets the solitary in families (Psalms 68:6). It is to help them form rightly. Just like a newborn, the hospital is meant to birth the child, but it takes a home to grow a destiny. Nobody can grow or mature healthily in the things of God by hopping from conferences to conferences. The canteen food might be superb, but it’s not supposed to replace homemade food (Jeremiah 3:15, Psalms 23:1-2).
True fellowship with God is not complete until the right people are involved.
Our fellowship is with God and the brethren (1 John 1:3). Apostle Paul had God’s call confirmed on his life at the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). He also maintained contact with the local Church all through his ministerial journey (Acts 14:27, 15:3-4). Forsaking the assembly of the saints is not a mark of growth. It could be a mark of deception and danger (Hebrews 10:25, Jude 1:19).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria