Yet In The Valley Of Contention
INTRODUCTION
The falling away of Christians is on the increase. Christians now give in so easily to sins that easily beset us. In the same subtle manner that the devil ensured that Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden for disobedience, many Christians have been maneuvered out of the place of grace by Satan and his cohorts. Lots of respected individuals, from the pew to the pulpit have fallen victim of this satanic subtlety.
Most people now hold the word of God in deceit. Christians who naturally ought to be light bearers are now being showed the light. Little, little foxes now spoil the vine. This becomes more poignant when a Christians dies. An intriguing can of worm is inadvertently opened. Unimaginable stories of how badly such a Christian had lived his or her life will crawl out from the thin veneer of piety that had hitherto fooled external observers. For some men, Women no one knew as their wives will appear from only God knows where to lay claims to the man’s inheritance; some even come with pregnancy to the burial ceremony, because they had an illicit affair with the man when he was alive. Some sisters are not left out in this fray. What a shame, yet Jesus is preparing a place for those without spot or wrinkle on their garment. Putting a doubt to whether we are making preparation to receive Christ.
There are indeed pressures of life, but must we easily give in to pressures of life? Were we not forewarned by the Lord? ‘’Wherefore he that thinketh he stands let him take heed lest he falls’’. These contending forces are bent on taking us away from our destination. Many people have fallen out of faith and are pretending to still be in faith. The valley of contention is a picture of the activity of the spirit of end time in the life of a Christian, depicting attitudes and life styles that are totally at variance with our faith in Christ Jesus.
Subtlety is the craftsmanship of the adversary. He plays us like pawns on a chess board when we give him leave to toy with our destiny. Seamlessly, he maneuvers himself into our lives and deviously manipulates events and circumstances around us. Nowadays, things we never thought could happen in Christendom are happening. Lots of people have fallen into this valley of contention because they underestimated the result of certain actions they undertook or certain relationships they contracted.
Today, the church of Jesus Christ has been brought to disrepute because of how casual and callous people have become in their relationship with the opposite sex. Homes are broken, destinies destroyed on a daily basis because humanity has lost its moral compass. Careless living has brought so many down the valley. Many are today dying in silence because they have lost their loved ones to the spirit of immorality. How are the mighty fallen? The spirit of Delilah is at work today, be careful; it could be any body. Prevention they say is better than cure. So many husbands have abandoned their wives; so many wives have done same to their husbands, leaving a bounty of reasons for their actions. The flimsy excuses vary from one person to another. For those who are married and have been dragged into the valley, you will hear them give excuses such as ‘’he didn’t marry me properly…” Another will say “he has become a torn in my flesh…” Yet a third says “my father gave me to him to offset a debt…’’. From the men, you would hear things like, ‘’she is a witch…, she is an outcast (Osu), or something more ditsy like, “…she is not current…, “…she is archaic (old fashioned) …she is not properly groomed…, “… her parents are interfering etc’’. After many years of marriage with or without children? This is indeed another gospel, the gospel according to Delilah! They are mere excuses. It’s a satanic gimmick! When the spirit of Delilah takes root, perception is blurred and all spiritual truths are blunted. It is difficult to fall into the valley of contention and remain the same; it takes the grace of God to come out of it. Isaiah 59:19
The valley of contention is where every Christian must avoid or else danger is eminent. This piece of work was given birth to by inspiration coupled with some pieces of experience gathered from people who have passed through the shadows of the valley of contention. It serves as a bulwark against satanic incursion especially into homes, providing us enabling tools to nip such at the bud. It also furnishes us with practical information on how these pandemic gains root as well as how to curb it.
Chapter 1, opens up those elements that prepare the way for this spirit of carnality. ‘’There is no smoke without fire’’ they say. Once these elements are allowed to thrive in any life or home, a fertile ground has been prepared for unhindered access by the valley of contention.
Chapter 2 & 3(Brings up the issue of foundational mishap and inherited inabilities as lights into the valley of contention) it explains these mishaps and how to handle them. There are indeed lots of foundational mistakes one needs to be wary of, particularly those in marriage relationships. Those who are already married can also learn lessons and make amends where necessary to avoid pitfalls.
Chapter 4 brings to fore the internal struggles that are not easily detectable with the eyes, but can create festering sores in the heart. Initially, these issues may look harmless, yet they grow as big and powerful as Goliath if not checked.
Chapter 5 paints a clear picture of the belief that the spiritual governs the physical. We are made to understand that immorality in any life is governed by a spirit called the spirit of Delilah.
InChapter6, we tap into the spiritual resources for tackling the spirit and salvaging the loss.
Happy reading!