WHY USE GOD'S GIFTS FOR EVIL?

Dear friend, the Bible, God's Word, tells us in James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

God created the Universe by His spoken Word - Hebrews 11:3.

The same God has given us various gifts and it is expected that we treat these gifts with utmost care and use them to glorify God only.

Sadly, however, we see in today's world so many people using God's gifts to them in a very dishonourable and shameful manner.

For instance, the gift of children - some people sell their kids for money; some use their kids for rituals to make money, some shower their kids with material gifts and neglect the more important spiritual gifts that God's Word says they should be equipped with to help them grow to better adults in future - Deuteronomy 4:9-10;6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6.

Some approve of their kids' immoral behaviour by consent, silence, defence, coaxing and command.

Some teach their kids to tell lies, steal, curse people, fight, cheat and do all manner of evil. In the end, these kids grow up into monsters shaped by their parent's years of improper upbringing.

We look at the gift of our bodies. Sadly too, these days we see men, boys, women and girls do so many terrible things to their bodies. Some mark tattoos, some engage in body enhancement surgeries, some use hair dyes to change the colour of their hairs.

Some engage in premarital mating with the opposite gender, some now engage in mating with same gender, some take hard drugs, some smoke, some take alcohol and some pierce their ears and put on earrings, nose rings, tongue rings, eye brow rings, and make ups of all sorts.

Some even use their bodies to dance to immoral music that glorifies satan, demons and their agents.

For the gift of our eyes, one important function is to use it to appreciate God's creation in nature. However, with these same eyes, some watch pornography, read pornography, and engage in illicit conducts.

The gift of our ears is to listen to the teaching of God's Word to know how we should know Him, love Him and serve Him. However, with these same ears, some listen to immoral jokes, immoral music, and listen to gossip, slander, calumny, etc.

The gift of our mouths is to praise God for His goodness in our lives. Majority now use their mouths to curse others, drink alcohol, eat excessive food, sing immoral music, gossip, slander others, etc.

The gift of our brain is to think through issues and come up with solutions. However, a number of humans now use their brains to plan and execute evil, swindle others and think up immorality.

The gift of our minds is to take decisions concerning serving God, showing love to others and living right. With these same minds, many now engage in worry and end up in hospital with all manner of ailments.

Some use their minds to hate and resent others, harbour unforgiveness, and even doubt God's Word in the Holy Bible. Some take a decision to live outside of God's plan for their lives and carry on without caring a hoot about the things of God and how to live right.

God has given us the gift of life to live for Him, serve Him, serve others and enjoy the blessings He has promised in return.

However, people take others' lives in abortion of innocent babies in the wombs, murder of their perceived enemies and some also take their lives with a view to escaping the challenges of this world as we see in cases of children committing suicide from cyber bullying, adults committing suicide to cover the shame of misdeeds or to end the pains of hardship.

Dear friend, every good gift is from God our Maker and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

For every gift He has given us, we will account for its usage. I have taken time to list some of the innumerable gifts the Lord has given us.

It would do us good to take time to reflect on this message, repent of sin of misuse of God's gifts, prayerfully ask God for forgiveness, the grace to live right and use His gifts properly.

Take time also to teach others to do same especially if you have kids you have not been showing good examples or teaching.

Jesus Christ is coming now. Today is the day of decision to do His will and serve Him, for tomorrow or later may be too late.

May the good Lord bless you as you heed His Word today, act on it and share with others in Jesus' Most Powerful Name, Amen.

Gabriel Ama.