THE VIRTUE OF LONG-SUFFERING NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE SNARES OF THE ENEMY THROUGH BRIBERY

 You shall not be defeated regardless of how many attacks you suffer because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good -Life Devotional: 

THE VIRTUE OF LONG-SUFFERING NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE SNARES OF THE ENEMY THROUGH BRIBERY 

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

Jeremiah 1:18-19 "For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee."

  It takes a great deal of time and energy to mold and erect an iron pillar and a brazen wall in a building project . This guarantees a long lasting structure that will stand the test of time. 

 The scriptures say such a person cannot be defeated . This is the effect of the virtue of long-suffering. I once applied for a document  with a government agency and was told to pay a bribe for it to be given to me in sixty days. I refused and I got it four years later. We presently are suffering from an electricity power outage that will take less than a week to resolve if we paid a bribe to the power distribution company workers but it is now 118 days without electricity in the church because we refused . The wicked will not go unpunished ( Psalm 37;38)

   Long-suffering, a key Christian virtue, is essential in resisting the temptation of bribery. It requires enduring trials and temptations with patience, trust in God's timing, and steadfastness in righteousness.

The Apostle Paul exemplifies long-suffering in his ministry. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and hardship, he remained faithful to his mission, declaring, "But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience" (Romans 5:3). Paul’s endurance in the face of adversity highlights the strength needed to resist bribery. He chose integrity over personal gain, urging believers to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke" (Philippians 2:15).

Similarly, Abraham demonstrated long-suffering when he refused wealth offered by the king of Sodom. After rescuing Lot, Abraham declined the spoils of war, saying, "I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet" (Genesis 14:22-23). His trust in God’s provision rather than ill-gotten wealth serves as a powerful example.

Through Paul and Abraham, the Bible teaches that long-suffering equips believers to overcome bribery's allure, remaining steadfast in faith and integrity.

  Supernatural strength is developed during this time as the scripture says in Colossians 1:11

[11]Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome temptation.

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