There was a man who set himself on a journey.
He hoped to travel through the deserts and avoid customs officers. While he moved with the travel group, their supplies diminished greatly, and they spent more days than planned.
Soon, they were out of supplies. While the others were preparing for the incoming sandstorm, he stumbled across a jar of water.
Without calling out to his team, he picked it up and ran into a cave. He opened it and set it against his lips.
What could be more pacifying than the feel of cool, refreshing water savoring the tongue in the middle of a scorchingly hot desert? But as he gulps further, he feels a burning sensation. He tries to cough it out, but too late! There is a huge hollow in his throat. He falls to his knees, and only then does he realize he has just drunk a collection of venom from the deadliest desert serpents.
He thought he was wise; he thought himself lucky to stumble across a reserve of sealed water misplaced by a sojourner.
He thought the owner a fool and a careless traveler, but he suddenly realized that the owner discarded something of value—knowing how much people would pay to lay their hands on the venom of deadly desert serpents—so he could travel lighter. The owner valued his life more and needed to hasten his steps.
There is a uniqueness in the convenience and soothing pleasure that iniquity offers.
You feel hidden, safe, satisfied.
But the day of reckoning will be loud, invincible, and unrepentant.
If the wanderer had called out to his travel guide, he would have been told by someone experienced that it was a common thing for different forms of liquid to be abandoned in the desert. He could have warned him of the dangers of the desert: traps of bandits, stealth disguises of predators, and the natural disasters that could elapse.
But the young man found comfort at the sight of the jar.
If you report your iniquities now and refrain from them, you can preserve your soul.
Report to who?
To the Owner of your soul—your Shepherd and guide. He would separate you from the foxes that ravage the vineyard.
It is hard to stay away from certain people and places that bring instant gratification, pleasure, provision, and illusory safety. But deep down, you know it is an illusion. Yet even illusions can inspire awe and admiration, can’t they? Hence, one’s gaze lingers a little longer.
“One last time,” they say. “One last time” has caused homes to divide, gifts to depart, and mighty empires to decline.
“One last time” has become a line many rehearse like the hook of their favorite songs.
“One last time” has subdued them and put them in bonds.
One day, I set out to swim. I was used to staying at the shallow edge of the pool, but I held on to the edge and gradually moved to the deepest part, still holding on—afraid of drowning.
My spirit boldly stated, “Let go.” That was my voice; I knew it.
Without thinking too much, I let go. I kicked against the wall behind me and propelled myself into the water. Then I swam to the other end.
Some things that seem too difficult are very easy.
But how would you know if you do not try?
You feel that if you leave certain addictions, everything would crumble. It is a lie.
You would be fine without your secret faults.
Change for yourself—not out of fear of damnation, but in your honourable attempt to be the best version of yourself.
There will be consequences. But those consequences are to test whether you are truly repentant or if you will go back to your sins.
Only dogs go back to sniff what they have vomited; humans are too disgusted to come close to their own waste.
Iniquities deprive humanity of purity and purpose. You feel no one is aware. Well, everyone is aware. Your nakedness is exposed. All the secret cults and their networks know what you are doing. All the angels and spiritually gifted clairvoyants know what you are doing.
You feel you are successfully deceiving everyone, but you are only deceiving yourself by assuming you are deceiving everyone.
Repentance is a decision to change from certain ways, with deep regret for one’s actions.
Some people are sorry and unrepentant. They are not happy with their actions, but they do not repent either.
Today, as you hear the Voice of God, do not be stiff-necked and adamant.
2 Corinthians 3:14, 16, 18 NLT
“[14] But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day, whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.
[16] But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
[18] So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”
Turn to the Lord and confess your sins in meekness, and He will remove the power of sin over you. He will free you from the web of iniquity, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Let us say this together:
“Oh Lord, I repent of my secret faults.
Forgive my unbelief, for if I had walked by faith, I would recognize that righteousness is not by my power or by my might, but by Your Spirit.
Order my steps, and make me a man/woman after Your heart. I walk in the grace of righteousness, which is the grace of my Lord Jesus.
I receive power over sin and death. I am led by the Spirit; hence, I am cleansed of all unrighteousness and will sin no more. I walk in the wisdom of the just; therefore, there is no condemnation for me. I am justified by faith, forever in You, O God of my righteousness. Amen.
Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy that endures and has rescued me one more time. I will sin no more, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
God bless you, and give you grace to stand in Holiness. May you revere the Lord now and always, even more than ever. Peace, peace.
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