So I've been thinking about doing a post on dating and relationships for a while now but there's just so much to say I couldn't figure out where to begin... until I started a Bible study series on the book of Proverbs (one of my favorite chin check in the spirit books). There's so much wisdom, knowledge and just flat out common sense in this book that it's crazy. If you haven't read it, studied, and applied it, I highly suggest you start today. It talks about life, how we treat one another, our neighbors, relationships, business, how to carry yourself, everything really. But back to what I was saying.. I didn't know where to start until I started this study series.
As I prepared the lesson for week one covering chapters 1-5, I paused at the continued warning about the people you choose to connect yourself to. Especially the warnings about strange women and harlots. Not because I plan on doing so, but what the word was saying and implying. Proverbs 2:18-19 says For her house inclineth unto Death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. Now on the surface this seems simple. Ok, hooking up with the wrong person can Lead to death, yeah I get it.
This death isn't just death though, this death refers to Rephaim, which has two different meanings. Usually it referred to the place of the dead, or those residing in Sheol or hades. but it also referred to a race of giants who were the product of fallen angels who had slept with the daughters of men. It's said that Goliath was a remnant of this race. Why is this important?? This is important because of verse 19. Those who go, don't return or take hold to the paths of life. These Rephaim were not mortal, which means they cannot reap in the covenant blessings and fellowship with Christ.
Isaiah 26:12-14Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
The word deceased in v14 is the same Rephaim mentioned before. So here we get an even better picture of what's really going on. THEY HAVE NO RESURRECTION! It's a wrap for them, they have no hope of resurrection or living again after this world has passed away. I don't know about you but my antennae definitely went up after reading and studying this. Not only do we need to be careful about where wrong relationships lead in the natural but even more so in the spirit realm.
How often to we enter into relationships and have good intentions only to find out the person we've connected ourselves to is a strange man/woman or a harlot?? I'm not talking physically, but spiritually. In the beginning we think they believe like we believe, they have a relationship with the true and living God like we do, they're praying and fasting to live a lifestyle of worship... but boom! Surprise surprise, you're dating Jezebel, you're dating Delilah, you're dating Herod's daughter, Hamaan, Pharaoh or any of a thousand other spirits rolled into one. The person you thought was on the same page as you has led you down a path of destruction..and you didn't even realize it. My God!
You look up and realized your dreams have died, your passion for God is waning, the zeal you had for the things of God has disappeared and you're a shell of your former self... weakened naturally and spiritually depleted. The thing is, nobody made us go down this Road to death. We went willingly, we go willingly... every time we allow our own lusts (strong desires) to tempt us, entice us and lead us away. When we get caught up in that lust it breeds sin and that sin leads to death(James 1:14-15).
BUT EVEN IN THIS, GOD IS FAITHFUL!
1 Corinthians 10:13 lets us know that even though we may be tempted, we won't be tempted beyond what we can bear here's where you can shout, GOD will provide a way of escape, that you may endure it... if that doesn't shout you I don't know what will... God said even though you messed up and allowed temptation to draw you away, and got caught up in your own desires, I'LL STILL PROVIDE A WAY OUT!!
If you find yourself on the Unmarked Road to death with a harlot, a strange man/woman or you're like the woman at the well and have several people you're on the road with... you can come open up your eyes today and take that way of escape. His name is Jesus! He's the lover of your soul, the one who loves you so much He laid down His life that you might live! You can call on Him in times of trouble, sadness, dispair, weakness, frustration, loneliness.. or whatever you're going through and He will answer! He'll never leave you or let you down. Call on him, He'll answer....
~ CJaqis
