How should believers respond when facing opposition as a result of sin? Opening Scripture “Then the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.” (1 Kings 11:14) Notice the Cause of Opposition • God Himself “raised up” the adversary—opposition was no accident. • The trigger was Solomon’s earlier sin of idolatry (1 Kings 11:1–10). • Scripture presents this link between sin and opposition as historical fact, underscoring divine justice. Receive the Lord’s Discipline • Hebrews 12:5-6: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord… For the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” • Opposition that follows sin is corrective, not merely punitive; it signals God’s love. • Proverbs 3:11-12 echoes the same truth—discipline is a fatherly act of delight. Respond in Genuine Repentance • Psalm 32:5: “Then I acknowledged my sin to You… and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” • 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…” Steps: – Admit the specific sin without excuse. – Agree with God about its seriousness. – Accept His forgiveness by faith. Resist Despair, Embrace Hope • James 4:7-10 lays out the pathway: submit to God, draw near, cleanse hands, humble yourself, and He will exalt you. • 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.” • Opposition is temporary; restoration is promised to the humble. Remember God’s Purpose in Opposition • To expose hidden loyalties (Solomon’s heart drifted). • To drive the believer back into wholehearted devotion. • To display God’s holiness—He will not ignore sin. • To prepare the believer for future usefulness after repentance. Practical Steps for Today 1. Examine: Invite the Spirit to search for any tolerated sin (Psalm 139:23-24). 2. Confess: Speak the truth to God immediately; delay deepens wounds. 3. Accept Discipline: Instead of fighting circumstances, cooperate with what God is teaching. 4. Recommit: Renew obedience in the very areas where compromise occurred. 5. Restore Relationships: Where sin harmed others, seek reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24). 6. Guard Worship: Keep Christ at the center; Solomon’s downfall began with misplaced affections. 7. Walk in Vigilance: Learn from the episode—ongoing watchfulness prevents repeated cycles of opposition. Conclusion Opposition that follows sin is God’s wake-up call. When it comes, believers answer with humble repentance, teachable hearts, and renewed obedience, confident that the same Lord who raises an adversary also receives the contrite and restores the repentant. |
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