12 Weeks of Prayer: Week 1 Day 2
Siding With Evil Is Choosing To Be Willingly Deceived
By Linda A. Knowles
"And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, 'What evil is this that has taken place among you? Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.' But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. -Judges 20:12-13
When you side with evil, deception will take over.
In this story, the men of Gibeah (a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin) had committed an atrocious evil act. As a result, the other 11 tribes of Israel were calling on the tribe of Benjamin to turn over the evil men that had assaulted and killed the Levite's wife. According to the law, the Israelites looked to the tribe of Benjamin and told them they wanted to purge out the evil from among them and to turn over the men who had violated and killed the Levite's wife. The tribe of Benjamin refused and sided with the evil men (also noted to be called the sons of Belial or simply put sons of the devil), protecting them while the other 11 Tribes of Israel were following the law of God to cleanse out the evil from among them.
When people choose the side of evil, deception takes over. This is why it is so important to know and understand God's Word and to draw close to Him. When people choose the side of evil, they are choosing to side with deceiving spirits and lying spirits. The tribe of Benjamin lost the civil war with the other 11 tribes of Israel because they chose to side with evil instead of turning over the culprits who committed such a heinous act against the Levite. The tribe of Benjamin suffered the consequences for siding with evil. When we side with evil, we always lose out.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." -Psalm 1:1-6
Heavenly Father, You are the God of Truth. You are the God of order and not confusion. Lord, be our Instructor and be our Guide even more so now in these days we live in. Father, fill us and empower us with Your Holy Spirit so that we are able to stand in truth. Lord, help us to always choose the side of truth. Help us to always walk in Your ways and obey your commands. We ask that You lift the veil of deception from people's eyes. In Jesus' Name, let the spirit of deception be exposed, that people would see the truth. Be with us throughout this day, and grant us Your mercy and Your protection. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Praise & Worship: Voice Of Truth - Casting Crowns - YouTube
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