My friends, be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God.
—Hebrews 3:12 (GNT)
As you journey with God, one of the things you must be very careful about is turning away from Him. Most times, this does not happen deliberately. It often begins subtly—when you start feeling reluctant to pray or study the Word of God, when you begin to desire a break from church gatherings and Christian fellowship, or when the things of this world gradually become more attractive to you than the things of God. We often explain this away as simply “needing a break,” but the truth is that no one can truly take a break from God, because He is your life.
The moment you decide to take a break from God and from all that concerns Him, you have unknowingly decided to take a break from life itself. That is death already at work, and this is how you recognize the handiwork of the devil. The devil knows he is powerless against you because your life is hidden with Christ in God. So instead of attacking you directly, he seeks to disconnect you from your source of strength and protection. The only way he can do this is by subtly persuading you to turn away from God.
He begins by introducing distractions and attitudes that make you grow disinterested in the things of God. Suddenly, you feel justified in taking a break. But this mindset strips you of God’s covering, because it is a choice—and God will never force His will on you. At that point, you become like a fish that says, “I am tired of living in water; I need a break.” At first, that decision may seem reasonable, but within a short time, the fish will no longer be alive to tell its story.
This is exactly what the devil desires. If you are not discerning, you may fall for his deception. So, no matter what happens, refuse to entertain such thoughts. They may appear wise at first, but their end is destruction. Do not toy with your relationship with God—your life, your existence, and your eternity depend on it.
Anytime you begin to feel that you need a break from God, it is a clear signal that the enemy is at work, and you must resist him immediately before he succeeds in driving you away from the place God has preserved for you. Follow the warning given in our opening scripture, and you will outsmart the devil in his schemes: Be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God. If you heed this counsel, you will remain safe.
Today’s Rhema
Taking a break from God is like taking a break from life—and that is death in disguise.
Confession for the Day
Father, I thank You for revealing this truth to me. I choose this day to remain anchored in You. Every agenda of the devil to disconnect me from You is cancelled, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
