I have been writing a series of articles on little temptations that sneak into our lives. The devil had one overall goal for Job, and that was to curse God and die. The devil is trying to test us and tempt us to do the exact same thing, to quit God, to quit the church, and to hate each other. Please refer to the newspaper for my last article. 

Temptation number two is not to make friends in the church. We are afraid to make friends because we have been hurt in the past. When we hurt, we don’t forgive (part of my last article). We must understand the greatest commandment of all is to love (agape) God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Second, is to love (philio) your neighbor as yourself. Two loves with two Greek meanings. Let’s focus on philio. Philio means brotherly/sisterly love and friendship. Ever since COVID, and even before, the church has been on a decline. The number one reason is because we don’t agape God with all of our hearts and philio one another with our hearts. That means we need to befriend one another in the church, or we have broken one of the greatest commandments of all. A friend does not mean they have to do all your work for you. That means you feel you are entitled. That is a different temptation for a different day. A friend is someone you can talk to, ask for advice, and they give you Godly advice, not just what you want to hear. It doesn’t mean they have to polish your shoes or paint your fingernails. The church has forgotten how to befriend one another, fellowship with one another, and be loyal to one another. We are tempted to chase after the worldly things that Satan has to offer than to build relationships in the church. I have sinner friends that treat me with more respect and love than some people in the church. This is a crying shame to the institute of Christianity. I have different friends in the church with different interests. Some I talk to about family, and pray with them over the concerns in their family. Others, I fish with. Some, I hunt with. When we have a dinner, I get to fellowship with them all at once. After the day of Pentecost, this is the way the church lived. They broke bread and added to the church daily (Acts). Unfortunately, we are selfish people and think about what the work has to offer for pleasure. Then the devil has won the battle. People have quit church and quit fellowshipping with one another. We have more fun sitting in the bar, getting drunk, cussing and swearing, than going to church to sing, testify, and praising the victories that God has helped us with. We sure cried out for God when we had COVID. How about we become God’s best friend, and cry out to him for a relationship with him and his people. 

So I ask, have you been a good friend to God? Have you been loyal to your church? Would you ask anyone from your church to your house for dinner and enjoy their fellowship. If not, you have fallen to this temptation. Remember Corinthians 10:13, God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. Don’t quit. Finish the race. Let’s love one another.