THE DANGER OF DISHONOURING GOD WITH OUR LIFESTYLE

THE DANGER OF DISHONOURING GOD WITH OUR LIFESTYLE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 2:21-24

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 10:29, Isaiah 29:13

INTRODUCTION:
Many profess to love and serve God, but their daily actions and lifestyles betray that confession. It is possible to dishonour God, not by direct blasphemy, but through the way we live: by misrepresenting His character, grace, and expectations.
God desires that our lives be a reflection of His holiness and truth. When we live contrary to His Word, we not only damage our testimony, but we also make a mockery of His name before others.
This message calls us to examine whether our lifestyles are bringing glory to God or subtly abusing His mercy and grace.

1. MISREPRESENTING GOD THROUGH INCONSISTENT LIVING
When our lives do not align with God's Word, we send confusing signals to the world about who God truly is.

a) Professing Christ but living like the world (Titus 1:16)
It is dangerous to declare Christ as Lord and still walk in disobedience. Our lifestyle must support our confession.

b) Preaching righteousness but practising sin (Romans 2:21-23)
Many speak the truth but do not live it. This contradiction undermines the credibility of God’s message.

c) Compromising God's standard for acceptance (James 4:4)
We cannot serve God and be friends with the world at the same time. Doing so dilutes our witness.

d) Refusing correction and continuing in sin (Proverbs 29:1)
God warns us repeatedly, but ignoring His voice leads to destruction and dishonours His authority.

Biblical Example: The sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-17) abused their priestly office and made people abhor the offering of the Lord.

2. DISHONOURING GOD'S TEMPLE – OUR BODIES
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be treated as such. Abuse of this temple is abuse of God Himself.

a) Indulging in immorality and addictions (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
We must not use our bodies for unholy purposes. God owns us, and our bodies must glorify Him.

b) Defiling the body through spiritual negligence (Romans 12:1)
A lack of devotion, prayer, and consecration makes the body spiritually weak and unfit for divine use.

c) Using the body as a tool for pride and vanity (1 Peter 3:3-4)
When appearance becomes more important than holiness, we shift focus from God to self.

d) Denying God's ownership of our lives (Galatians 2:20)
We must remember we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us.

Biblical Example: Samson (Judges 16:1-20) abused his calling and strength, leading to his downfall.

3. TREATING GOD'S GRACE WITH CONTEMPT
Grace is not a licence to sin. When we take God's grace for granted, we insult the very sacrifice of Christ.

a) Persisting in sin under the guise of grace (Romans 6:1-2)
God's grace empowers us to overcome sin, not dwell in it.

b) Disregarding the cost of redemption (Hebrews 10:29)
To treat Christ’s sacrifice as a common thing is a serious offence to God.

c) Boasting in freedom while remaining in bondage (John 8:34-36)
True freedom in Christ leads to holiness, not continued enslavement.

d) Abusing forgiveness through repeated rebellion (Psalm 19:13)
Presumptuous sins grieve the Spirit of God and quench His work in us.

Biblical Example: The Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22-23) repeatedly tested God’s patience despite His miracles.

4. BECOMING A STUMBLING BLOCK TO OTHERS
Our lives influence others. When we live carelessly, we cause others to fall, thereby sinning against Christ.

a) Causing others to sin through our actions (Matthew 18:6-7)
God holds us accountable for the spiritual damage we cause to others.

b) Hypocrisy in leadership and service (Malachi 2:7-9)
Spiritual leaders must not compromise truth, as their actions set the tone for the congregation.

c) Teaching but not modelling godliness (James 3:1)
Influence without integrity is a great danger in ministry and in daily life.

d) Justifying sin instead of repenting (Isaiah 5:20)
When we normalise sin, we encourage others to do the same.

Biblical Example: Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) lied to the Holy Spirit and caused fear to fall on the early church.

5. LIVING WITHOUT ETERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS
A life that forgets eternity abuses the purpose of divine existence. We must live with heaven in view.

a) Prioritising pleasure over purpose (Philippians 3:19-20)
Our citizenship is in heaven; therefore, our minds must be set on eternal values.

b) Living as though there is no judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Every action will be accounted for. God’s justice cannot be mocked.

c) Neglecting spiritual growth and maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Refusing to grow is spiritual irresponsibility that dishonours God’s investment in us.

d) Living for self and not for Christ (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Self-centred living is a hallmark of the last days and leads to spiritual decay.

Biblical Example: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) lived for himself and forgot eternity.

CONCLUSION:
Our lives should reflect God’s glory at all times. When we live carelessly, we abuse His name, His grace, and His temple.
Let us examine ourselves today and ensure that we live a life that honours God. Our lifestyle must align with our confession. It is time to repent from dishonouring God through our actions and begin to glorify Him with every aspect of our lives.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, have mercy on me for any way I have abused Your grace.
2. Father, help me to live a life that glorifies You daily.
3. O Lord, align my lifestyle with Your Word.
4. Every act of hypocrisy in me, be uprooted by fire.
5. Lord, make me a living epistle of holiness and truth.
6. Deliver me from every sin that brings shame to Your name.
7. Holy Spirit, convict me anytime I begin to misrepresent Christ.
8. Let my life bring others to salvation, not destruction.
9. Purify my heart and motives, O Lord.
10. I receive grace to honour God in public and in private.

A TIME OF DIVINE INTERVENTION

A TIME OF DIVINE INTERVENTION

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Kings 7:1-20

Supporting Texts: Psalm 126:1-3, Isaiah 43:18-19, Joel 2:25-27, Exodus 14:13-14, Romans 8:28

INTRODUCTION:
There are moments in life when human efforts are exhausted and circumstances seem hopeless. It is at such times that the hand of God intervenes beyond human expectation. Divine intervention is when God steps into a situation and turns it around by His supernatural power.

The story in 2 Kings 7 reveals a nation trapped in a famine so severe that people resorted to eating their children. Yet, in one day, God changed their story. A prophetic word was released, and within 24 hours, a miraculous turnaround occurred. This is the nature of divine intervention—it defies logic, timing, and natural laws.

When God decides to intervene, no gate is too strong, no enemy is too fierce, and no situation is too far gone. Divine intervention always brings glory to God and restoration to His people. In this sermon, we will explore how divine intervention works and what positions us to experience it.

1. DIVINE INTERVENTION BEGINS WITH A WORD FROM GOD
God’s intervention often begins with a prophetic declaration that sets the stage for the miraculous.

a) God Speaks Before He Acts (2 Kings 7:1).  Elisha declared a word of abundance when famine prevailed.

b) The Word of God is Final Authority (Isaiah 55:11).  God’s word overrides natural conditions and impossibilities.

c) Prophecy Activates Supernatural Shifts (1 Timothy 1:18). We must hold on to prophetic words and war with them.

d) God Uses His Servants to Announce His Move (Amos 3:7).  He reveals His plans through His prophets before executing them.

Biblical Example: Ezekiel prophesied to dry bones and they lived again (Ezekiel 37:1-10).

2. DIVINE INTERVENTION DEFIES HUMAN LOGIC
When God moves, it often contradicts human reasoning and expectations.

a) The Officer Doubted God's Word (2 Kings 7:2). Unbelief can hinder people from participating in God’s miracles.

b) God’s Ways are Higher Than Ours (Isaiah 55:8–9).  We must trust His plan even when we don’t understand His process.

c) Expect the Unexpected with God (Exodus 14:13-14). He made a way through the Red Sea when all hope was lost.

d) God Chooses the Foolish Things to Shame the Wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).  He uses unlikely means to perform extraordinary works.

Biblical Example: Naaman was healed through a simple instruction to wash in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:10-14).

3. DIVINE INTERVENTION USES UNLIKELY VESSELS
God often uses unexpected people to fulfil His divine purpose.

a) Four Lepers Were God’s Chosen Instruments (2 Kings 7:3-5). Outcasts became vessels of national deliverance.

b) God Does Not Discriminate When Using People (1 Samuel 16:7).  He looks at availability, not ability or status.

c) Sometimes Your Disadvantage Becomes God's Platform (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Your weakness is an opportunity for God to show His strength.

d) Don’t Underestimate What God Can Do Through You (Philippians 2:13).  God works in you to will and do His good pleasure.

Biblical Example: God used a young slave girl to lead Naaman to his healing (2 Kings 5:1-3).

4. DIVINE INTERVENTION BRINGS SUPERNATURAL PROVISION
God can open the heavens in response to faith and obedience.

a) The Sound of Abundance Was Supernatural (2 Kings 7:6-7). God caused confusion in the enemy’s camp to bless His people.

b) When God Moves, Scarcity Turns to Surplus (Joel 2:25-27). He restores what the locust has eaten and satisfies His people.

c) Obedience Positions You for Provision (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). The lepers moved, and provision followed.

d) God’s Intervention Leaves No Room for Doubt (Psalm 126:1-3). When the Lord turns a situation around, it is like a dream.

Biblical Example: Elijah was fed by ravens and a widow in time of famine (1 Kings 17:6-16).

CONCLUSION:
In desperate times, God is not distant; He is ready to intervene. When men reach their limit, that is when God begins His work. Divine intervention is not only possible; it is God’s promise to His people. No matter how long or how hopeless your situation may seem, one word from God can change everything.

Remain expectant, hold on to God’s Word, and position yourself for the miraculous. The God who turned famine into plenty in 24 hours is still the same today. He will show up, break barriers, and bring divine turnaround.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, release a prophetic word that will shift my situation.
2. Father, intervene in every hopeless area of my life.
3. Use me, despite my background, for Your divine purpose.
4. Let divine provision visit my life and family.
5. I cancel every doubt and unbelief in the face of divine instruction.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. In 24 hours, your situation will turn around by divine intervention!
2. God will use the least expected vessel to bring your breakthrough!
3. You shall walk into supernatural provision where there was lack!
4. Your night of famine shall become a day of abundance!
5. God will silence every voice that mocked your faith!