There is a misconception that the devil lures and turns us away from God. Certainly not; initially, we think of going against the law of God, and the sin within us is powered by the law (1 Corinthians 15:56). In the beginning, there was one law: “do not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge.” As the forbidden fruit appeared to be good in the eyes of Eve, she lusted after the fruit, and the sin (disobedience) in her was powered by the law. While the law is still powering our sins, God’s grace is working in parallel to the law to remove the sin from within us.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
Family Bonding
Psalm 68:6 reminds us that God places the people who are lonely in families, creating opportunities for them to worship Him together. In Genesis, God declares that it is not good for man to be alone, so He gives Adam a helper to partner with him in building His Kingdom. Before finding a life partner, a person may hold on to God’s promise of companionship. However, after marriage, couples often find joy in their love for each other and may unintentionally shift their focus away from God. As children come into these families, this love multiplies, bringing great joy but sometimes leading them to drift from their ultimate purpose in God.
The Bible tells us about Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple who sought to elevate their family’s name. Inspired by Barnabas’ generous act of selling his land and giving all the proceeds to the church, they too sold their land. However, their desire for recognition led them to conspire together to deceive the Holy Spirit, pretending they had given the full amount while keeping part for themselves. Their strong family bond and misplaced priorities led them away from God, resulting in the loss of both their earthly and eternal lives.
Job, known for his deep knowledge of God, regularly made burnt offerings on behalf of his children out of love for them. However, this love led him to misunderstand God, viewing Him as someone who needed to be appeased to avoid harm befalling one’s children. This raises an important question: Are we nurturing our children to grow in the love of God and walk in His truth, or are we merely guiding them toward rituals and traditions to secure their place in the church? Family bonds, though beautiful, can sometimes become a hindrance in maintaining a genuine relationship with God.
Abraham’s obedience to God stands as an example of prioritizing faith over family ties. When God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, he did not consult Sarah but chose to obey God alone. Imagine what might have happened if Abraham had discussed God’s command with Sarah. Sarah would have thrown a fit and could have complicated his obedience to the LORD’s commands.
Let us ensure that our family relationships do not come between us and our God. Children, while you enjoy the love of your parents, seek the deeper and more fulfilling love of your Heavenly Father. Parents, when you are overwhelmed by the love of your children, remember to rise above earthly affection to pursue the ultimate love and truth found in God. For the love of God transcends and surpasses the limits of human understanding.
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.- Ephesians 3:19 (NIV)
Family Feud
Just as family bonds can sometimes distance us from God, family conflicts can also pull us away from Him. These conflicts are not always due to someone’s wrongdoing but may arise when a person’s genuine relationship with God creates misunderstanding within the family. For example, when Abraham obeyed God’s command to sacrifice Isaac, he did not inform Sarah. Imagine Sarah’s response if she had learned about it afterward. She would have been overcome with grief, worrying about potential outcomes instead of trusting in God’s plan. Misunderstandings like this often occur in families when one member prioritizes their relationship with God.
Similarly, when Job submitted to God’s will during his suffering, his wife did not stand by him. Instead, she urged him to curse God. When Job refused, he found himself alone. In such situations, a person devoted to God may feel abandoned by their family, and instead of receiving support from others, they face criticism and discouragement. This tendency to isolate and oppose the faithful, seen in Job’s time, persists even today, often fueled by envy or misunderstanding.
On the other hand, some people distance themselves from godly family members and blame others for their solitude. When someone drifts away from God, the devil often places similar individuals around them who encourage resentment toward God’s people and values. These individuals may feel at ease among the ungodly but uncomfortable around those devoted to God.
We must learn to stay faithful to God, even when our loved ones misunderstand or forsake us because of our relationship with Him. The world may criticize us for not compromising with those who reject God, but true love does not mean enabling their distance from Him. Genuine love seeks to guide others closer to God, not away from Him. Compromising our faith to appease others may only encourage them to stray further. Let us remain steadfast, trusting that God will use our unwavering commitment to inspire and lead others toward Him.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
Let us not allow the love of our family members to pull us away from God, nor let us be disheartened when we find ourselves alone because of our commitment to Him. True love is inseparable from God and His Spirit. When we are filled with the boundless love of God, we can stand firm in every aspect of our lives..
The Jordan Valley 
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