Devo Week 44 - Discerning the Unseen Realm

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt.10:16

Table Manners Matter - Clean vs. Dirty

Eat, drink and be merry! There’s truth in this phrase. How we dine impacts relationships with God and others. The Apostle Paul said our dining with others should not cause relational barriers for people or people groups to encounter Jesus.  In the Old Testament (OT) food was an issue, but in the New Testament (NT) the significance of dietary laws has changed and allows us to encounter all people at the table.

WHO IS FOR US

Eating together is such a social experience. That’s why refusing can create relational barriers. Jesus came to break down all the barriers with encountering God. He ate with sinners. The Pharisees ridiculed Him for that. Our NT relationship with God is more about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and no longer the Ten Commandments and/or dietary laws. (Heb. 8:10-11) The emphasis is on loving God and loving people. 

WHO IS AGAINST US

The enemy likes to shift our focus away from the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit.  He does that by 1) deceiving us into compromise and holding onto our sin, rather than a lifestyle of confession & repentance. (Rom. 2:4 & I John 1:9), and 2) tricking us to fall back into legalism. The Apostle Paul warned about being ‘bewitched’ by someone. (Gal. 3:1-3) This can show up in our eating habits. If we break relationship over food, that is not an expression of the Kingdom. Jesus introduced and released the Kingdom of God, breaking barriers between people without compromising His allegiance. The dividing line between good and evil is your allegiance to God. Not the food you eat.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

Father God, pour Your Spirit upon us afresh to be ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Help us to release all legalistic approaches to the Gospel and share the Good News through Jesus Christ alone! In Jesus’ name, Amen.