Like Sister

6 The Lord said to me in the days of King Josiah: “Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore? 7 And I thought, ‘After she has done all this she will return to me,’ but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore. 9 Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree. 10 Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 3:6-10
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Like Sister
Those we associate with are all too important. Our friends and family influence who we are and what we do. Do not underestimate the power of influence that these friends and even your sisters and brothers have on you. Israel took Judah up the mountain of sin with her and Judah partook of the same sins. Watch and be steadfast against temptation and sin. The devil and sin and death are crouching at the door waiting to devour you. Instead, look first to the Word of God. Seek protection and solace from the God that loves you and shows mercy to you. Though you sinned and rebelled against him, he still loves you and receives your repentance. He takes you back. This is the God that gifts you the things you need to fight against sin. He protects you against temptation and the world's attacks. He fits you with his Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit dwells in your heart, grants faith, and directs you to Jesus in all things. He is real. He chooses to dwell with you and make your heart his temple.