Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: SUNDAY MAY 21ST, 2023.

THEME: SEXUAL IMMORALITY IS FORBIDDEN II

MEMORISE: 

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

Hebrews 13:4

READ: Proverbs 7:22 -27

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

MESSAGE

These days, genuine Christians and even ministers of the Gospel are being caught in various types of sin, including sexual immorality which Joseph refused to indulge in, despite the fact that the opportunity presented itself on what seemed to be a platter of gold. Genesis 39:8-9 records Joseph's response to the offer:

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; there is none greater in this house than l; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can l do this great wickedness and sin against God?

It was wisdom, brought about by the fear of God, that kept Joseph away from committing sexual immorality with his master's wife. No wonder the Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). How l wish all children of God would embrace the fear of God so that they can begin to live above temptation and sin. It is wisdom to run away from sin because the Bible says in Romans 6:23, 'The wages of sin is death..." and this refers to eternal death. Beloved, sexual immorality is forbidden; seek godly wisdom to avoid this deadly sin.

In the last hour before the arrest of Jesus Christ, He had a knowledge of what was about to happen and thus had a private meeting with His disciples at Gethesmane, where He gave them the antidote to temptation and sin. Matthew 26:41 says, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak..." In this passage, Jesus named watchfulness and prayer as the antidote to temptation and sin.

We are therefore called to be alert to dangers in the Christian journey such as sexual immorality, false teachings, worldliness, love of money, inordinate ambition, sinful pleasure, and other forms of temptation and sin. The Bible says the end is near so we should be sober and watch unto prayer (1 Peter 4:7). Sexual immorality is forbidden; watch and pray over the type of content you and your family consume. Be mindful of your physical and social interactions, and constantly fill your heart with the word of God so you do not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

PRAYER POINT 

Father, please don't let me become a victim or captive to immorality, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nehemiah 1-3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine

Can peace afford.

Refrain:

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

2 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their pow’r

When Thou art nigh. 

3 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

In joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain. 

4 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises

In me fulfill.