Is Your Nourishment Watered Down?
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
Today was one of those days of trying to get the wood to burn in the wood stove. Note to self: get wood a head of time and in warmer weather. Although our wood is seasoned, unfortunately the weather has been wet. While some people who sell firewood cover the wood slightly, others do not so you end up purchasing wood that is wet and does not burn well which can also be dangerous. When the wood is like this, I have to turn it over every so often and move it around some so air gets through and the hot embers burn more. You know your wood is damp when it takes a while to get it going but once it gets going it burns hot!
As I sat here and continued looking at the fire to see how it’s doing I tried to get some work done but I felt the Lord prompting me about the lesson I’m learning. We need to be careful about who we receive our nourishment from and that it’s not watered down. With our wood, we need to make sure the person we get it from is telling the truth about it being seasoned and to inspect the wood as well when possible. If the wood has been sitting in a puddle of water or seems pretty wet, chances are it won’t ignite well (or at all) or it will take a long time to ignite.
The same goes with the Word of God. It seems we are living in the times of deception. We must, as the scripture warns, test the spirits to see if they are from God. In other words, what we hear we must confirm it with the Word of God. If we are receiving a watered down word (message), then it will not ignite our hearts and it will do more harm to us. What is a watered down word? One where the Bible says one thing but when the message is given, it is watered down just enough to make everyone happy. It’s a word where there is no conviction, just that you are doing fine the way you are. It’s a message of constant prosperity and goodness but nothing about sin and repentance. In other words, it is an unbalanced word. The Word of God must be given as it is and we must receive balance. If we hear all doom and gloom then we will never feel as though we can overcome and be good enough for the Lord. Yet, if we hear constant prosperity and goodness, we will never truly look at the wrongs we are committing and change our ways. We must have a balanced walk in the Lord and once we do, the fire within us will ignite and our hearts will remain on fire for the Lord.
We also must be careful of those who want to separate us from the rest of the body of Christ. Isolation is one of the enemy’s greatest tactics to try and deceive us. Scripture informs us of the importance of remaining together in Hebrews 10:24-25:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
When we meet together, we are in unity and one body. Just as the wood in a wood stove must be together to work properly and produce heat, so must we be together. Take one piece of wood out and put it by itself and soon it will die out. It’s imperative that we remain together in unity and working together. But we must also be aware of the message being brought forth and to confirm it with the Word of God. Many false prophets will come and try to deceive many, even the elect as it states Matthew 24:24:
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
If you feel you are receiving the Word but your heart just isn’t igniting, turn the Word over and over within you. Read it over and over until that spark ignites or the flame is turned up. Compare what you are hearing with the Bible. Pray for the Lord to get the fire moving within your heart for Him and then wait and see what the Lord does! Do not accept a watered down word! Test what you are hearing with the Word of God.
Lord, I realize that some of what I hear may be a watered down Word and I only want whats true and pure from Your Word. Grant me the wisdom and the knowledge to understand the Word of God and great discernment to know when what is said to me is true or watered down.I only want wants true and pure from Your Word so I am on fire for You. Lord, I repent of my sins. Help me to walk in balance. Draw me to your Word on a daily basis and purify my heart. I ask all of this in Jesus name…Amen.