Spiritual Boot Camp Brings Emotional and Spiritual Maturity and Wisdom

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived: “Evil associations corrupt good manners.”

When we are regularly around ungodly unsaved people as our main companions we begin to think how they act and the rude things they say are normal and everyone lives like this.

Unfortunately, when we are around cultural norms in which people think rudeness is fun or angst is normal we begin to think it is too. Whatever we are around regularly will eventually turn us into whatever is around us. We become like that which is corrupted.

While we are in the mess we are too confused and agitated to be able to see the attitudes for what they are, but when we are gone a while and come back it is blatant.

It's sort of like a smoker who smokes in their house or people with dogs who don't clean their house, and don't seem to notice the smell until they go on vacation, when they come back to the smell that was absent on vacation, they suddenly notice how bad it is. Sometimes it takes some time away from the mess to see there is a mess.

This is why I believe God said; 2 Corinthians 6:17

"17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you."

God told us to go into the world and preach the gospel. He never said go into the world and become like them and maybe they will like Jesus because they like us.

When we speak of Christ to people most will not want it and will even exact revenge toward us for daring to tell the truth. The biggest lie afoot in Christendom today is that if we do what unbelievers do and say what they say they will want to know about God.

Matthew 10:21-23 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

Yes, family will despise you before you even step out into the world. Our first rejection of the gospel and the principles of God will be from family first.

Proverbs 29:27

"An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked."

Isaiah 66:5

"You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: "Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!' But they will be put to shame."

In these last days, we can expect to be treated with contempt, disrespect, and disregard because we adhere to the principles of Christ in our own lives and speak them boldly to others.

Unbelieves will accuse us of past sins and make up lies about us in the present to justify their anger toward our stand to follow the Word of God.

In some cases all we have to do is live out our lives as we follow Christ, even if we don't speak of it we will be hated for our own decision to follow Him.

Now in these end times, we cannot help but speak boldly about the Lord to those who are perishing and to believers as we edify one another with the truth of God's Word. The Holy Spirit compels us to speak without regard to the consequences. If we ponder the consequences it will leave us Spiritually weak.

We are surrounded by angst and disrespect even among those who say they are Christians. They justify their disrespect of God and us with excuses only a small child would utter to be able to continue in ill-mannered and selfish behavior.

Deuteronomy 3:22 " 22Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.”

Exodus 14:14

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Isaiah 43:1,2

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine…"

Born-again believers have been grafted into the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He fights for us just as He does for Israel. We are not insignificant in God's eyes, He cares for all those who love Him.

1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

Romans 11:24

"For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!"

What a blessing to know this life is for our training and all that we go through will make us stronger because of Christ. We can remain strong even through the tears as joy is full in all things we encounter.

I Remember when I was a child and fell off my bike, feeling silly that I fell I cried and laughed at the same time. Sometimes I have this same feeling of weeping at the difficulties while smiling at the challenges. The wisdom that comes from living all aspects of this life is far greater than comfort which dilutes learning and minimizes spiritual maturity.

"Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning."

Maturing in Christ requires a "boot camp" of sorts, to strengthen our spiritual muscles taking us to greater wisdom. It will all be worth it!!!!