BEWARE OF SPIRITUAL INFECTIONS
Hebrews 12: 14-17
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Since December 2019, the world has been more conscious of viral infections than ever before. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the infectious spread of COVID-19 to be a pandemic—and recommended precautions: face masks, cleanliness, social distancing, vaccines, boosters, and more. Infections can be dangerous, and precautions can be necessary.
The same is true of spiritual infections; they can be spiritually dangerous and deadly. For instance, the writer of Hebrews warned about a “root of bitterness springing up” in an individual, the result being that many “become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). And Moses warned about the same thing in Deuteronomy 29:18 “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood”.
But wait—if bitterness can be spread like an infection, could positive traits like joy be spread as well? Of course! In fact, joy and similar traits might be viewed as vaccines against carnal spiritual infections. We can spread love, joy, peace, and other Christlike traits to others.
Choose today to be a carrier of joy as you interact with others. Be a super-spreader of Christlike traits wherever you go. Love is the motive for working; joy is the strength for working.
PRAYER: I refuse, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to allow anger and bitterness take root in my life in Jesus name.
