Who Told You To Quit God?

May 18, 2022

Who Told You To Quit God?

This is rather lengthy, so take a seat, get quiet, meditate and enjoy. You will not regret reading this article.

 In this life we have so many choices, options, self-wills, notions, provisions, or at times, anything our heart desire wooing us or we have access to them. Our culturally diverse secular world is teaching different brands on having and exercising the power that is in our hand and our mouth, to Our Wills.

We feel if we don't like someone, we can just discard them as though they are used rubbish, and the reasoning we use sometime is...I don't have to take this from them, and/or I am my own person I do what I want, and I got it like that. In this season of time, it is so easy to change our minds about everything or anything at any given moment, without considering the consequence of our actions to our ourselves and toward others. and most importantly, what does God want.

Our main stream society teaches us that we can pave our own way in anything we choose to do, and we don't owe anyone any explanation about why we are the way we are. While we may not have to explain our actions to others in certain matters, or why we chose to do or live the way we do, we will be held accountable in the eyes of God, and the laws of our land.

As a borne again believer in Jesus Christ, we are much more accountable to the Word of God, and the guiding of His Holy Spirit in all aspect and phases of our lives. Even though we are in this fleshly body, we have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit living in us. We have been given a chance not to be governed by our fleshly desires, especially when they are contrary to God's Word. Romans 8:5 states "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit, and in that same chapter verse 14, we read "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." 

I know there are times in everyday life and living with our human counterparts, we want to scream and retaliate in some measure because of the unjust situations we find ourselves in. Most of the time we could say it come through the actions of others. We ask ourselves why do I tolerate him/her. Sometimes there is no sensibility to the actions of people from our prospective; but yet, there is this unction on the inside gently tugging for us to keep going and not give up on certain individuals...(this is only by the guiding of the Holy Spirit). 

In Matthew 5:43 - 44 states "Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy, but Jesus said in verse 44, "but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Only by the Holy Ghost you are able to do this).

Because we are in this human sinful fleshly state, we might have a tendency to think and feel - why couldn't the verse 43 above, apply to me in the present now. Listen, I feel you, but in the very next moment, the Holy Spirit will remind us that we are not under bondage; and because of the work of the cross, we have been made the righteousness [ the quality of being morally right or justifiable] of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 21 (Amplified) states, So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we (as Christ representatives) plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

 

So...why are we here? Why do we find ourselves in this place countless times during our walk? What, or who has brought us to this point - to quit God? We may say, " I haven't quit God, I could never quit God, I've quit people. It is the same thing, just different wording or thinking. What do we mean when we say we've quit people? Do we mean we are not going to allow people to think they can just run over us in any way of their choosing and we not set them straight? Are we saying, we are tired of people lying about us to others, and not owning up to their own under-handed deeds?

Are we saying, people have used up their (3 strikes you're out) limit with us? Is it because we feel we have wasted our time counseling them, and they won't consider or obey the godly counsel we've given them? Are we saying, we are tired of people using us like a scrub board with their dirty laundry, and only our hands are getting bruised? We constantly see the same people continuing to wallow in the same problems of yesterday, or maybe yesteryears without having a desire to come out, and they think it is okay to keep using me/us?

What are we saying, exactly? Are we allowing our light to shine before men that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven, or are we out to make disciples for ourselves so we can brag about what we are doing for the kingdom? Do we mean we don't care how other people feel about the way we do things, because those people are jealous anyway? Are we saying their lack of integrity is too overwhelming for us to deal with? Are these some of the arguments and justifications for feeling secure in quitting people?

 

In times past, I used to feel that if I was ministering or giving assistance to people and a change hadn't been observed - through my eyes after a certain length of time, I would back off from them and say, "God, these are your people and you deal with them - I quit, and would take my hands off. Look how prideful that was of me - if I was sure I was doing what God had called me to do, it wouldn't have made a difference in what, or how they thought because I would have been obeying God, and this wouldn't have made me quit them. I would have been loving them. You can be sure I was convicted by the Holy Spirit.

Looking back, I was not acting in faith and patience doing what God called me to do, when operating in that type of spirit. At that time, I didn't think I needed to pray and ask Him what would He have me do, because I was doing it. I was tired in my flesh trying to perform in certain ways, and it showed outwardly with others. I felt, and had been told by others, that God was calling me to do something different. Have you ever tried to perform when others are looking for you to do certain things or act in a certain way, even though you didn't feel like doing it? My motives were wrong. I needed to stay before God for His instructions to me in the place I was operating in at that time. I knew in my knower, I was not walking in the light and love of God, but I was not ready to be corrected by His Spirit at that time. I wanted to keep going my way. Now, what would you call that type of spirit?

Sure, many of the people I was serving would act rebellious, hard hearted, angry, unthankful, and unholy, but there were many who were genuinely thankful for what they were receiving. so why was I so upset? Did I feel like God should cause everyone to be happy about what I was doing for them, and that they shouldn't complain - because I was helping them, right? And, how could they be angry because I rightly admonished their behavior?

One of the biggest traps we can find ourselves in when we are called to help people in different ways, is allowing our way, or depth of service to people be dictated by how they receive us. Our depth and longevity of service to man, should be felt in the heart first, and then led by the Holy Spirit - and not because this is what we do. This is worth thinking about isn't it? We all have a tendency to complain at times when people are not as thankful, or show reverence to us for what we are doing. We shouldn't think people owe us anything.

Now mine you, I know we do get tired in our bodies and our emotions do seem to get out of control, but Wisdom will let us know we need a refreshing from the Holy Spirit, some time in worship and prayer, inquiring of God and waiting on an answer, no matter how long it would take God to answer. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, [the bible states "when the Holy Spirit is come, He will guide us into ALL Truth, John 16:13]. Sometimes the truth of what matters to us, our truth, is not the same truth coming from the throne of God, and does not feel good to our hearing or seeing when we operate in the flesh.

When we know we have been anointed and appointed with gifts and abilities by God to do certain things, we take off running with our own plan, our way of doing it, without consulting God for His way or timing, in what we are trying to do. When we consult God, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will not over-do, or under-do what is before us, especially if this is a mandate from God and is important to our walk in Him. There are many reasons/explanations given by borne again believers for giving up on people; Which in retrospect, we gave up on God, and sometimes take up an offence such as what was mentioned to John's disciples [And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11: 1- 15- you may read these verses to get the full meaning of what Jesus was saying].

Many reasons or explanations given will sound legitimate and hard pressed to the average person, especially those who have personally witnessed destruction, death, extensive loss, or to someone they know. When hope and prayers were relied upon and the desired answer didn't come, many walked away from God because they felt He failed them in their most darkest time. 

Did you wonder where was God when all of the chaos was happening to you? Did you wonder if He remembered all the times you were faithful in church, in Ministry, in paying tithes, giving offerings, serving the poor, fasting and praying for others, helping people when you needed help yourself, etc? Did you wonder why the prayers, meditations, believing for a miracle, speaking and stretching your faith, and yet there were no healings, no interventions, no restitutions of any kind during the time you were praying? Did you ask yourself, why did I waste my time in prayer, fasting and supplications when God was going to say, No, or not yet from the beginning? Did you wonder what was the reason for you using faith calling things that are not, as though they are...and nothing changed? Was it at this point you gave up on God?

Was it a spirit of pride or offence that took control because of who you were supposed to be in Christ, in the eyes of others? Did you think people would accuse you of having sinned, because of the type of disease or calamity you were facing and you didn't want them to think that? In Job's dissertation made to the Lord concerning the things that had happened to him, he didn't understand the reasoning of God. From Job's point of view, he felt he had done everything he could think of to keep the favor of God on his life, the life of his family, and keep sickness, disaster, and loss away from his household - but it happened anyway.

In Job 36:23, Elihu (a young man in the biblical Book of Job who gave a fiery defense of God's righteousness) said "Who has appointed God His way, And who can say [to him], "You have done wrong?" 

In Job 38:1, Then the Lord said to Job "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who disputes with God answer it. Then Job replied to the Lord and said, "Behold, I am of little importance and contemptible; what can I reply to you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, but I will not reply again - Indeed, twice [ I have answered], and I will add nothing further." Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying, "Now gird up your loins, prepare yourself like a man," And I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgement and set it aside as void? Will you condemn Me [Your God] that you may [appear to] be righteous and justified?

"Have you an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His? Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity [since you question the Almighty], And array yourself with honor and majesty. Pour out the over-flowings of your wrath, And look at everyone who is proud and make him low. Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him, And [if you are so able] tread down the wicked where they stand. [Crush and] hide them in the dust together; Shut them up in the hidden place [the house of death]. {If you can do all this, Job, proving your diving power] then I [God] will also praise you and acknowledge that your own right hand can save you. Job 40:1-14.

 

Goodness Gracious! these are some powerful words in God's answer to Job's dilemma. When we are trying to make sense to what we are going through, or what has been taken from us, do we remember what God said to Job? Job lost all his children, his livestock, everything in a short time, but he didn't lose his integrity with God. He didn't forget how he had walked before the Lord, and believed in God, even though he had only heard of God in his hearing. When we read about the children of Israel and how they tested God, Moses, and others that were sent to them, we don't have a leg to stand on in making a case for ourselves in the way we think things should be - especially questioning the way God chooses to operate in our life.

It is always about obedience. God is, or can be, our provider, our cloud by day, or fire by night. While looking back over our lives, we see how God never left us in, or to our sin. In our disobedience, God did not turn HIs back on us, and this is evident because we are still here. How many times have we turned our backs to God, and He just waited for us to come back, because He knew we would come back to Him? How many times have we repented and asked forgiveness for something, and we felt His love drawing us back to Him? I know if you are like me, there have been more times than we can count. He waited with opened arms, forgiving our sin, our transgressions, our trespasses, after we realized and acknowledged our sin. Lord, Thank you. As we see in these verses, God is answering Job's questions and shining light on why he has a dilemma. Job's questions are some of the same questions and contemplations we have with certain circumstances in our lives.

"Then Job answered the Lord and said, I know that You can do all things, And that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained. [You said to me] "Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge? " There [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  [Job 38:2] Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me. I have heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my [spiritual] eye sees You. Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself] And I repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:1 - 6 [Amplified Version].

As you can see, even with Job not knowing and understanding his dilemma in body sufferings, lost of family and wealth, prestige in the community, wife wanting him to curse God and die, close friends thinking he was an out-right sinner... was a set-up by God to produce a greater testimony and blessing. Have you ever thought in depth about God's recommendation of Job to Satan? Let's look at it.

"The Lord said to Satan, " From where have you come? "Then Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it." The Lord said to  Satan, "Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God]." Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not put a hedge [of protection] around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands [and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him] , and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch [destroy] all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face." Then the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself." So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1: 7-12 [Amplified Version}.

Do you feel secure in your walk with God, that He could recommend you to Satan? Can you answer that for yourself with certainty? When looking back, how many times have God used your sacrifice to him - to bring a blessing to you or others, and it didn't make sense at the time it was happening?  When we first confessed our sins asking God to forgive us and to come into our lives and live, I don't think any of us could imagine at that time, what our cross would look like going forward.

In Luke 9: 23 -24, Jesus said to His disciples - "And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciples] He must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me" [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. "For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]". In Job 42:10 -11, The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him over all the [distressing] adversities that the Lord had brought on him.

 Now I ask you the question again, Who, or What told you to Quit God? Blessings. 

 

- All scriptures quoted were taken from either the King James Version or Amplified. Blessings -

If You Desire To Leave A Comment, Please Scroll Down To The Comment Section. Thank You.

 

 

 

 




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Healing, Deliverance, & Prophetic Insights

Warriors, Be Lifted And Encouraged!
Warriors, Be Lifted And Encouraged!

April 15, 2024

Continue Reading

New Shoes: An Answered Prayer For The Homeless, Hungry And Needy
New Shoes: An Answered Prayer For The Homeless, Hungry And Needy

January 17, 2024

Emergency Shoes From The Heart and Hand Of God To The Ministry, After Prayer.

Continue Reading

Whose Servant Is He?  (Testimony)
Whose Servant Is He? (Testimony)

December 11, 2023

Continue Reading