SUNDAY, JUNE 5
Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:22-25, Romans 1:32

How does God feel about defilement when it comes into the church and what does He expect to do about it? Do we really always turn the other cheek, do we never resist evil? In 1 Samuel 2:22-24, the darkness continues concerning the corruption of the sons of Eli. Here is what we are told, “Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. So he said to them, ‘Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress.” By people participating in the sins of the leaders, they became transgressors themselves. The priests, instead of blessing the people and bringing them into holiness, were bringing them into perversion and judgment. When a church’s leaders transgress from holiness, that defilement filters down into their congregations. Verse 25 continues, “If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?’ Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them.” If we decide to not resist evil, then perhaps we become worthy of death. We find the same principle reiterated in Romans 1:32, “…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” We have to walk in the Spirit in applying the truth of Scripture. God exercised His judgment over the priests in 1 Samuel and He killed them. He released His faith and put them under His feet. And when He put them under His feet, they were dead. It is not our decision when judgment is called for, it is the Spirit’s. When He leads that is when we release our faith.