10/02/2022
EXCERPTS FROM SPIRITUAL CLASS
DATE: 6TH FEBRUARY, 2022
MINISTERING: APOSTLE AYOBAMI BABATUNDE DAVID
TOPIC: FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH ABOUT ADVERSITY
'Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble" Job 14:1
Adversity is from the word "adverse" which means opposite or contrary. It means things working in an opposing direction.
Have things been going in the opposite direction for you? Are you disturbed about why your life is full of troubles, failures and dashed hopes? Why is it that you planned to be through with university by age 21, but only to discover that at 22, you are still writing JAMB? Or you planned to be through with child birth by 29 but by 30 you are still single. Then you ask yourself, "Why is my life like this?","Why is God allowing all this to happen to me?".
The reason we have weak Christianity in our days is because this topic is not been emphasis again in our days. We now have Christians who can't endure hardship and when they marry for a year and a child is not forthcoming, they give up on God and quickly run to an herbalist for help.
Follow me carefully as we look into God's word to see why God allows or permits adversity and the several reasons for adversity.
It also important to sound a note of warning that half truth is no truth at all. Ensure you follow this series to the end that is, read every of our weekly excerpts till we conclude this topic so you can be well balanced in the present truth.
Jesus speaking in the book of John 16:33 said something very striking.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"
Jesus already told us that this world is full of tribulation but we should be of Good cheer because victory is ours. And guess what, our victory is in faith
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" 1 Jn 5:4
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT ADVERSITY
1. The devil is the originator of adversity.
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man" James 1:14
The devil has come to steal, kill and destroy Jn10:10. But Jesus came to give life. The devil is the cause of adversity, troubles and problem. It was the devil that took all Job had not God. Though God can permit adversity like in the life of Job but he is never the originator.
So when you see contrary situations in your life, arise and rebuke the devil. Don't ever think God is the one behind your problems or predicament. God is good all the time and He will never do evil.
"But while men slept, HIS ENEMY came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way" Matt 14:25, emphasis mine
The devil is the planter of tares in people's lifes and destiny. And this happens while men slept. It is saddening that some people's prayerlessness has brought attacks and evil their way.
2. Adversity comes when we rebel against the word of God. Ps 107:10-20
" Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help" Ps 107:10-12.
The Lord brought this people to hard labour because they rebelled against him. Beware of rebelling against God so the devil won't bring adversity your way. Fear God and keep his word. Sin gives the devil license or legal right to afflict us.
Some people have been afflicted because of unforgiveness. The bible admonishes us to forgive our brother when they hurt us. There is this story about a man who determined in his heart never to forgive his son-in-law for maltreating his only daughter. This man fell very ill so much that the doctors are confused because the root of the sickness can't be traced. He sought the Lord and He was instructed to forgive his son-in-law and let go. He did and he was healed. Brethren, unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. If there is anyone you have determined not to forgive because of the gravity of what they did, please forgive them and let it go, ask God to help you forgive them. In it lies your deliverance.
"Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder" Ps 107:13-14.
The way out of adversity caused by rebelling against God's word is to ask God for mercy just like was done in the above verses. Ask God for mercy and you'll be out of that adversity.
3. Adversity is the channel to go through to get to our destination. Act 14:21-22
"And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God"
it is through tribulation we enter the kingdom of God. Adversity is the channel.
.......To be continued next week. GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY.
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