Hebrews 10:25;
“NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER,as the manner of some is;but exhorting one another: and so much the more,as ye see the day approaching.”
To assemble together as the Bible says means that we need to be with God’s people for the purpose of fellowship in church.
However, Satan has brought down many people today by deceiving them ,only to separate them from the rest of the believers in their Church.He brings an issue that would cause one to feel offended and hence decides to cease from going to church.Out of false reasoning,the victims feel it safe to be at home rather than being in a group of other Christians.And the end result is dangerous.These people usually come to their own ruin.This is the most tricky method he uses to cause many to fall away from church.
The following are some of the ways through which Satan preaches his agenda for the aim of separating people from a congregation of fellow believers.
1.) Telling Them that The Worship Service Takes Too Long.
Since the devil knows that unity among Christians will cause him a great loss in his kingdom, and that he cannot conquer,he uses this way to draw people from church.He tells them that the worship takes too long.
When you hear this voice,beware it’s the Enemy trying to get you out of the church (he wants to cut you off from being one with those of your congregation.)
Always keep in mind that every Sabbath day is to be kept holy as commanded by the Lord.We must therefore keep it holy throughout by dedicating it to God(going to church on Sunday).We would rather miss attending the mid-week worship services but not on Sunday.Knowing this will save you from the disturbing voices from Satan telling you that the church service takes too long.
2.) MAKING PEOPLE LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF OTHERS IN CHURCH.
Satan causes people to listen to negative stories relating to others members in church who have had conflicts with each other.Or they may as well hear about certain leaders who had differences among themselves or with some members of the congregation.The particular believers decide to stop attending church as a result of what they heard.
No place or church is perfect.There will always be flaws and shortcomings even in church.Why? It’s because we are different and every one of us has their own weaknesses.The reason why God placed where you are is because he wants you to make it a better place.And this can be achieved through prayer and exhorting one another.Walking away and leaving the church in the same condition is not a solution.
3.)BEING OFFENDED BY SOMEONE OR SOME PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH.
Some members cease from going to church for reasons as when offended by their fellow believer(s).They take offense in others at the slightest provocation.They decide to remain back at home and never to step in church again.This is another way Satan uses to disconnect people from a church body.
Although we are Christians, never forget that no one is without fault.Not even pastors.We all make mistakes.No believer is an angel!There is no church with perfect people.Each one has their own shortcomings.All you need to do is to patiently bear with one another through prayerfulness.These challenges and shortcomings will slowly fade away and eventually die out entirely.
Deciding to disconnect oneself from among other believers and sitting back at home is not a solution to the imperfections experienced in your church.When such thoughts telling you to stop attending church services enter your mind,beware this is Satan.He has sensed the trouble you will cause him in the future if you keep going to church.
4.) FEAR OF GIVING IN CHURCH.
In these last days,there will rise people who are lovers of money even in God’s houses,but this should not be a reason to stop one from going to church.
If love God truly,then being in church to give offerings should not be burdensome and a reason to keep us from attending worship services.Our giving should be as to God and not for men.When we give to God,we add up our treasures in heaven.
It is dangerous to listen to Satan who tells you to stop going to church because you will be asked to give offerings.That it’s good and safe for you to alone cut off from a fellowship group.
There are many benefits of being part of a group of Christians.But today we shall only look at two (2) benefits of gathering together for fellowship.
a.)You Become Strong in Faith.
It is easy it seems for one to think that they can possibly stand alone without being part of a fellowship group.But this would be just for a while.For one who sleeps knows not at what time they fell asleep.So is with those who try to push on their own.At first, everything seems to be fine.And before they know it,they will have backslided or declined spiritually.This deceiptive thought has led many into regressing spiritual without them knowing it.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12;
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
FOR IF THEY FALL, THE ONE WILL LIFT UP HIS FELLOW:BUT WOE TO HIM THAT IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLETH;FOR HE HATH NOT ANOTHER TO HELP HIM UP.
Again,if two lie together,then they have heat:but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him,two shall withstand him; and threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Do not forsake being together with fellow believers in worship whenever you are able.You need other Christians for you to become what God wants you to be.There are things you can’t find when you are alone,e.g. comfort, encouragement, among other one another commands in the Bible.Also,there are things you can not do while you are alone.For example,it becomes much easier for one to pray when among a group of people who are praying together, perhaps on a night vigil.Seeing others around you praying supplies the willingness for you to pray more than you would if you were alone at home.Therefore meeting together as believers serves to strengthen members in the church; hence building up one another for the good of all.
Remember,this Godly wisdom.Do not overlook it and think you have any wisdom that is above God’s.
The reason why the Lord Jesus had to send out his disciples on a mission in twos is clear here.He knew the problem with sending them out each on his own.They needed each other in the course of preaching the gospel.
Mark 6:7;
“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;and gave them power over unclean spirits.”
b.)You Get Blessings.
There are blessings that God bestows upon his children while they are gathered together in church than when each is alone at home.These manifold blessings are both spiritual and physical.
Matthew 18:18-20;
“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask,it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered in my name,there am I in the midst of them.”
Compared to when we are alone,the Lord’s presence manifests in a much intense way in the lives of Christians while in an assembly.He is with us as individuals but not in the same way he would when we are together as a church family.
God is ever preaching unity and is pleased when we assemble together in fellowship.Yet he is displeased with those who cut off themselves from other church congregants.
Proverbs 18:1;
“Through desire a man, having separated himself,seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.”
Refuse to listen to Satàn’s voice.Start going to church and be part of a fellowship group for your own good.Satan is likened to a roaring lion seeking for a prey.He hunts down on people who have just begun their journeyof faith(new believers) in so many ways.And this is the way he uses to disconnect people from a church body.
1 Peter 5:8;
“Be sober,be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil,as a roaring lion,walketh about , seeking whom he may devour.”
Maran atha!