While on campus, one of our sisters shared a testimony of how she stood her ground when tempted the give in to one of her lecturers. It is either she sleeps with this man or fails his course. While other ladies compromised and passed, she had to fail the course that year but passed it the following year. She told herself; “My destiny is not for sale.”
Friend, your destiny is not for sale (1 Corinthians 6:20). The devil will always hunt for precious destinies to buy over or destroy (Proverbs 6:26, John 10:10). It is part of his trademarks. He steals, kills, and destroys. One way people sell off their destiny is by compromise. Compromise will reduce your life and truncate your destiny.
Don’t be like Esau, who sold tomorrow today (Hebrews 12:16). Don’t let temporary pleasure bring permanent damage to your life and destiny. Don’t let the devil entice you with things that you will later regret tomorrow (Proverbs 1:10). While the story of Joseph is an encouragement to young people today, Samson is that of caution.
The next time you are tempted to compromise, don’t look at Samson. Look at Joseph (Genesis 39:9). For every negative example out there, there are positive ones, too. It depends on what you focus on. God will always have His own remnants in every generation (1 Kings 19:18). There are still those who have not bowed their knees to or kissed Baal.
What do you want your story to be? Is it that of encouragement or that of caution? We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). While Joseph stands on the gallery of heaven, saying, “Be like me, stand your ground.” Samson is screaming; “Caution! Caution!! Caution!!! Don’t tread the same path I treaded. Don’t fall for what I fell for.”
Make up your mind to live out a story of encouragement to your generation (Hebrews 12:2). When you are faced with critical tests and challenges, God wants to tell an intriguing story with your life. The weight of your temptation is proof of the weight of your destiny (2 Corinthians 4:17). Tell the devil and your flesh; “My destiny is not for sale.”
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria