Bible Study:
Daniel 13, 1 to 62. And John 8, 12 to 20.
The story
of Susanna and the two elders is one that tells a touching tale about the
nature of the human heart and from it we can learn so many lessons on how to
live above sin and the value of purity.
1. No one
is above Temptations. These two elders were responsible for maintaining
morality, law and order in the community. They were the judges. People actually
brought cases to them for fair hearing. Dear friends, Satan will stop at
nothing to get you down if only you allow him. Hence Peter wills say: “Be
sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” 1 Peter 5, 8 to 9.
2. Lust
Grows. These men knew they were lusting after a married woman, yet instead of
them to remove themselves from the scene, they allowed their passion grow
bigger and bigger. We are told: “The two elders used to see her every day,
going in and walking about, and they began to desire her. And they perverted
their minds and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering
righteous judgments. And they watched eagerly, day after day, to see her.”
Watch out
for what you feed your mind with for out of the abundance of the heart, the
mouth not only speaks, actions are carried out which only lead to destruction
in the long run. Pornography is by far the most dangerous weapon of the devil
in our age and time. By feeding ourselves with immoral pictures, videos and
social media items, our minds are so corrupted and we find it extremely difficult
to avoid sin. To win the battle against sin, we must begin to prepare by
ensuring our hearts are free from immoral pictures, imaginations and the like.
3. You
Always Have A Choice. The greatest lie you can ever tell yourself when it comes
to sin is “I had no choice.” The case of Susana and the two elders confirms
what we read at the Stations of the Cross. “Your body may be broken but no
force on earth and none in heaven can take away your will. Your will is yours.”
Susana was trapped, she was just about to take her bathe not knowing the two
wicked beasts were hiding inside the garden. They threatened her: “Look, the
garden doors are shut, no one sees us, and we are in love with you; so give your
consent, and lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you that a
young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away.” Susanna
sighed deeply, and said, “I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing,
it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands.” Note the
words of a well-trained heart. IF I DO THIS THING, IT IS DEATH FOR ME. The wages
of sin is death. And the death sin brings about is worse than physical death,
it is eternal death. So she said to their greatest surprise: “I choose not to
do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord.”
4. Lies
Will Never Get You Free. The greatest scandal of humanity is that people tell
lies and at times, the people we consider models whose words carry a lot of authority
are the ones who tell lies the most. It was so easy for people to believe the
men when they lied against Susanna. Since they could not have her body, they
decided to cook up a plot to destroy her by lying against her. They thought no
one was watching, of course, there were no CCTV cameras in those days, no sophisticated
gadgets or mobile phones with voice recorders but GOD WAS WATCHING. There is
nothing we can ever hide from God. God used Daniel to expose the men and they
met their death in the end.
Dear
friends, purity of heart pays. Sin can be avoided if only we guard our hearts
with all diligence. Just as we do not allow filth into our rooms for health
purposes, we destroy ourselves when we allow the filth of immorality lurk in our
hearts. Sin ultimately brings us death. Wickedness always backfires! Lies will
never get you anywhere because truth can never be hidden for long.
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, keep me pure and holy. Amen.
God bless
you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. Happy
new week.
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