See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12 NIV)
Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12 GW)
So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12 MSG)
Good morning, God; what do you want me to pray about today?
Good morning, Beloved. Do you remember that word Pastor Mike used?
“Apostasy?”
Yes, my child. Some of my precious children are apostate. Pray for them.
Uh, God, I don’t even know what exactly that means.
Go look it up. I’ll wait.
God, these are pretty serious words.
Yep. What definitions did you find for “apostasy?”
“Disaffiliation from, abandonment of, renunciation of a religion by a person; embracing an opinion contrary to one’s previous religious beliefs; unbelieving and self-willed movement away from God; refusing to continue to follow, obey or recognize a religious belief.” Geesh; that’s pretty harsh.
Yes, my child; apostasy is a pretty serious thing. When people who know my Truth – the Truth that sets them free – and turn their back on that Truth, I am not pleased. Do you remember how Adam and Eve had everything they wanted and needed in the Garden? After the enemy convinced them to disobey me, I came to them not to kick them out, but to offer them time to repent. Instead they hid. They refused my mercy and grace. That’s why they couldn’t stay in the Garden in sweet and close communion with me. They chose to believe the lies of the enemy.
How do we know what people and churches are apostate?
Measure their hearts, words, and actions against my Word.
But I thought we weren’t supposed to judge other people.
No, my child. You must judge. Specifically, you must DISCERN what is of Me and what is not. You must judge between what is evil and what is good. You must never allow the lies of the enemy to be so noisy you cannot hear the Truth of my Voice and my Heart. I want you to know what is Me and what is not.
So, some people and churches have chosen to listen to the enemy instead of your Truth?
Yes. They have created their own understanding of “truth,” but I do not change and neither does my Truth.
Does that make you sad, God?
Yes, Beloved, very sad. I love them very much and I wish they could hear the Truth in my Love and come back to me. I want them in my Kingdom.
I will pray, God.
God,
With heavy hearts, today we pray for people and churches that have accepted the lies of the enemy and created their own false “truth.” We know Jesus showed us your Way, Truth, and Life and that you never change. Today we pray that the noise of the ideas of the enemy would be silenced so that the Holy Spirit can be heard. Call the apostate back into communion with you. Cause them to repent and seek your Kingdom’s Truth. Forgive and restore them to full fellowship within your Church. Thank you for the grace and mercy you offer us when we come to you with humble and repentant hearts. Help your people to clearly hear your Voice, whether small and still or huge and thundering, and give us discernment to know what is of you. God, give your people great wisdom and courage so our hearts, thoughts, words, and actions reflect your Kingdom values and your heart for the world. Give your children unyielding and impenetrable strength as we stand up to the lies of the enemy. Bless your people with your deep peace, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32 NIV)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12 AMPC)
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon many (great) waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. (Psalm 29:3-4 AMPC)
The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11 AMPC)
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)