FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Scripture: Matthew 10:32-34

Verses 32-34 state, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Part of being a Philadelphian is not denying God’s name. The question becomes, how do we deny His name? We deny His name when we refuse to speak up for His values? When we refuse to acknowledge the Lord or when we are silent in the midst of evil and say nothing, we deny His name! There is a balance here that needs to be walked out. Jesus did not speak to people about things for which they had no ear to hear. He gave them the word as they were able to hear it. In walking out the balance between these two passages what we are saying is, that when the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak up, then we know we have the obligation to make a stand for His righteousness. When we sense that there is not ear to hear, then that usually means it is time to be silent, and to build a relationship for the day when the Lord will release us to speak what, hopefully, can be heard. Walking in the Spirit is the key in any situation and in any application. If we walk in the Spirit, we will fulfill everything that God want us to! The bottom line here is courageously, obediently saying no to evil in a way which ushers in freedom, salvation and victory!