2 Samuel 15:6 (KJV)
And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for
judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
One by one, Absalom targeted loyal, dedicated people who respected the
king (authority) and his counsel. Basically, he coveted the king's influence.
No matter who he talked to, Absalom made every attempt he could to win
people over. By way of artful conversation, he flirted with people's affections
and busily worked to steal men's hearts away from the king, his own father!
Wherever a man or woman is highly respected, there will be greedy thieves
lingering nearby, lusting over their influence… What we learn from Absalom
is that thieves target loyal, dedicated church members.
John 10:1 (KJV)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into
the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and
a robber.
Thieves and robbers pretend to be your shepherd. Thieves take special
interest in your home. They will involve themselves in your lives to excess;
they display great concern while indulging in your personal struggles.
A spiritual bandit offers an extreme amount of support and loads of individual
attention. (Especially when the pastor is busy with other people!) They
will stroke your heart with overkill and make contact with you in a variety
of ways - phone calls, cards, e-mails, deeds of kindness, gifts without
occasion, etc. In the process, they are securing portions of your heart
for themselves. "Too much of a good thing isn't good!" When people draw
on you in such a manner, they make merchandise of you. Your heart is nothing
more than a trophy they want sitting on their shelf!
2 Peter 2:3 (KJV)
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
I don't know about you, but I've always thought about giving my heart
away yet I've never really considered the idea of my heart being stolen
or taken without my consent! It certainly sheds light on the fact that
God tells us to keep our hearts with all diligence, amen? By the way,
is there a chance that you have been trying to steal the hearts of people?
Perhaps like Absalom you are coveting the respect that belongs to one
your own family members or church family members and you want it for yourself…
On the other hand, somebody might be trying to steal your heart! How might
a heart-thief operate? By using good words on you; by creatively engaging
in conversation they believe YOU would enjoy. Such persons strongly desire
to be distinguished from the crowd and use you to climb for reputation.
In the body of Christ there are believers who might not dare to cause
a church split, but they do endeavor to capture your heart for their own
personal gratification. Beware ladies; greed of status can be hidden by
a sweet kiss warmly planted on your cheek!! What kind of a person might
try to steal the hearts of men and women?
Romans 16:18 (KJV)
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
A heart-thief is not loyal to God, nor honestly devoted to the king (shepherd)
and his rule. Oh, he or she will give you the impression they are, but
thieves are very sneaky; they work behind the scenes and plot the carrying
out of their crime. Their work is not done openly, but privately. A thief
acts through motives of self-interest and intrudes on another person's
ministry… Would you expect a thief would want to steal something that
holds little value? That would be a waste of time and bring him little
gain or satisfaction. No, a thief strives to take valuable possessions
from other men and women. Hence, a heart-thief covets the devoted followers
of the king and targets their hearts one by one and one on one. A heart
thief robs that which he does not possess - all good fidelity.
Titus 2:10 (KJV)
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Ladies, by falling for their good words and fair speeches you won't detect
that you've been robbed blind by a spiritual bandit until an issue arises
and you find that somewhere along the way your faithfulness took up residency
with an imitation overseer. That's how churches all over America are split
without difficulty. Are you wise enough to detect a thief in operation?
Is anybody trying to steal your heart away from the one to whom you've
been so faithful all these years? Might you be trying to divide the good
opinion of another person and take some for yourself? As did Absalom,
those that would embezzle the affections of good people are striving to
walk away with the respect the one they envy worked hard for. Stealing
is wrong; God wants us to work for everything we get!
Ephes. 4:28 (KJV)
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with
his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that
needeth.
I hope none of you ladies would try to gain status for yourself or your
family in a deceitful fashion, at the expense of needy people! If you
want reputation, earn it. If you want influence, let God influence you.
If you want power with men, submit to God's power. If you want to be surrounded
by loyal, dedicated people then show all good fidelity to God and your
authorities. Stop trying to come by things underhandedly! Be sure all
your actions adorn the doctrine of God and serve HIS purposes. Replace
your criminal activity with honest labor.
1 Peter 4:15 (KJV)
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer,
or as a busybody in other men's matters.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2003 Pamela A. Iannello
Back to Top
