Now, we can choose to listen to that voice and do right or we can choose to ignore that voice and do our own thing. When we listen, we stay in right relationship with God but when we decide that doing things are own way is the way we want to go, we begin to sear our heart and our conscience. For example: we know that we are supposed to 'dwell in unity with the brethren' and we are to 'be kind and affectionate one to another', but we choose to be hateful and mean instead. The first time we act this way, our conscience is pricked and we repent. We even go to the person we have behaved badly towards and we ask for forgiveness.
But each time we repeat the bad behaviour our hearts become a little harder and it makes it more difficult to hear our conscience or the Holy Spirit speaking to us, until after awhile we no longer feel bad when we hurt someone else. That is a dangerous place to be in. When we know the right way to act but choose to ignore the instruction we have received from the Word of God, God will turn His back on us. Isaiah 59:2 tells us "It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore."
I can't imagine being in the place where God turns His back on me! But all throughout Scripture we are warned that is what will happen if we choose to reject the truth and follow our own desires.
Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Psalm 81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
Romans 1:24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.
God abandoned them. Those are pretty harsh words and words I never want said about me. Why would a loving God abandon someone? We're taught that God loves us and cares for us. This seems to be so contradictory of those teachings. God is holy and sin cannot be in His presence so when we sin and refuse to repent of it, we are actually separating ourselves from God. We are the ones removing ourselves from His presence.
When we repeatedly ignore His voice checking our spirit we lose our sensitivity to hear His voice. We begin to justify our actions and our sins. We look at other Christians who are doing the same things and we excuse our behaviour. This is dangerous ground to be on because it is a downhill slide. Once you begin to excuse sin you are actually turning away from God. Oh, you might still go to church and go through the motions so that everyone around you thinks you are still the same, but don't be deceived 'man looks on the outward appearance, but God sees the heart'. He knows the truth.
Ephesians 4:19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
Let me encourage you today to turn back to the Lord in your heart. Ask Him to take the hardness from your heart before its too late.
Micah 3:4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.
God tells us in His Word that if we will repent and turn away from our wicked ways, then He will hear us once again. Only God can create in you a new heart: a heart that can once more hear His voice. Don't let it be said of you that God abandoned you. Turn back to Him now and ask Him to soften your heart so you can hear His Spirit speaking to yours.
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