There are many dangers and pitfalls in life. There are many "landmines" around us. If we are not careful, we may step on one. No doubt there is a place for God's sovereign protection for us, and we keep believing for that. But we can do our part too. It will save us from a lot of unnecessary sorrows or disappointments in life.
How to avoid danger and pitfalls in life?
Key Number 1: Pray in the spirit
Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV) says, 'Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.'
Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) says, 'And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.'
The word 'intercession' here is 'huper entugchano' in Greek. In the context here, it means 'to come in between on behalf of you'.
This Greek word comes from two words: 'huper' and 'entugchano'.
'Huper' in the context here means 'for the sake of you, on behalf of you'; and 'entugchano' in the context here means 'to entreat (or to plead) in favor of you'.
You see? Not against you, but in favor of you!
So, 'huper entugchano' in Greek literally means 'to come in between for your sake, on behalf of you, for your own good'.
And that's what happens when you pray in the spirit!
When you pray in the spirit, you are praying in the perfect will of God, even though your mind may not understand what you are praying!
And what is the will of God for you? His will is He always want the very best for you!
Key Number 2: Be led by the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:13-15 (NKJV) says, 'For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."'
Romans 8:13-15 (NLT) says, 'For if you live by its dictates (i.e. your fleshly dictates, your sinful nature's dictates), you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, "Abba, Father."'
You see, your God is a good Heavenly Father. And He will never lead you into evil, danger, or pitfall. A good earthly father will be likewise. How much more your Heavenly Father?
To be led by the Holy Spirit, it involves humility on your part. Be humble before the Lord. It also involves having an open and yielded heart before Him.
So, never resist the Holy Spirit. Be open. Be yielded. Flow with His Spirit. After all, the Holy Spirit knows all things and sees further than anyone of us can.
And that's how you can be led by the Spirit to be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right things, saying the right things, and making the right decisions!
When you pray in the spirit, and when you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, if you sense peace from the Lord to go ahead on something, then go ahead. But if you sense there's just no peace, then abstain from (or avoid) that something (or situation).
Holy Spirit is therefore a 'safety net' for you. After all, He is called the Restrainer. He restrains you from falling into evil, danger, trouble, or pitfalls in life.
Aren't you glad you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in your life? Aren't you glad you have the Holy Spirit who sees further than you, who knows all things, who is Omniscient?
And He will know how to lead you and guide you every step of the way, as long as you are open to the work of the Holy Spirit and the leading of the Holy Spirit!
Key Number 3: Seek right counsel
Apart from involving the Holy Spirit, you can seek right counsel from trusted, honest people. Surround yourself with people of integrity. Surround yourself with people who know how to walk with God. This is also a kind of 'safety net' for you. Otherwise, it will be like 'the blind leading the blind'. Not only the 'blind' falls into a pitfall, but you who are being led by the 'blind' will also fall into the pitfall!
There are many examples in the Bible regarding seeking right counsel. But I want to share just one example. It's about Hanun, how he sought wrong counsel, and how he had to pay a heavy price for it.
Don't be like Hanun.
1 Chronicles 19:1-2 (NKJV) says, '...Nahash the king of the people of Ammon died, and his son (Hanun) reigned in his place. Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to comfort Hanun concerning his father. And David's servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him.'
See what happened next.
1 Chronicles 19:3-4 (NKJV) says, 'And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, "Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?" Therefore Hanun took David's servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.'
What a way to return somebody's kindness!
Not only did Hanun reject King David's good gesture and kindness, Hanun even embarassed and shamed these servants of David. All because of what? All because of some wrong counsel or wrong advice that he received from those around him!
When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, they began to spend unnecessary money to hire for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots to battle against David's army!
Instead of openly receiving kindness from David, they now had to go into an unnecessary battle against David's formidable army! And in the end, Hanun and the people of Ammon paid a very heavy price, suffered huge losses, and their capital city of Rabbah was ravaged!
So, may the Lord raise up around you people and friends who are spiritually matured, who know how to walk with the Holy Spirit, and who can give you sound advice and guidance. In other words, those who can help you to be better, not bitter!
Prayer:
"O Lord God, fill Your beloved with Your Spirit. Let them be led by the Holy Spirit, because as many as are led by the Holy Spirit, they are called sons of God. Raise up the right people around Your beloved who would give good influence, good counsel, and good advice whenever needed. With the three keys that we have learned today, may Your beloved avoid any unnecessary danger or pitfall in life, and may Your beloved be well positioned for the greater blessings and greater things ahead of them. In the name of Jesus. Amen."
