Human beings utilize both innate and non-innate objects, places, animals, and even other people to gain advantages in society. It is however disheartening to see God being treated in the same manner.
At some point in our lives, we have all used God similarly to how we have used other people.
Let us define the word “use”:
1. To put into action or service; to avail oneself of; to employ.
2. To expend or consume by putting to use, often used with “up.”
3. To require; for example, “the house could use a coat of paint.”
4. To consume or take (liquor, drugs, etc.) regularly.
5. To carry out a purpose or action through; to utilize; also: to manipulate, as in “used him selfishly.”
6. To behave toward; to act concerning; to treat, as in “used the prisoners cruelly.”
7. Archaic: to accustom or habituate.
We will focus on the fifth and sixth definitions of “use,” which refer to utilizing and manipulating and maltreating others.
How do people use God?
People mock God with their lies, betray His love and the trust He has in them, only turn to Him in desperate times and often resort to blackmail, manipulation, and intimidation to do so.
Luke 4:3-13 NKJV
“And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’
”Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’
”Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands, they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’
”And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”
In this scripture, we see how the master deceiver, satan, taught humanity to exploit God with his subtle schemes, much like he did with Adam and Eve in Genesis Chapter 2. Indeed, Man learnt this perverse method of relating with God from the very worst, the devil.
Today, believers and unbelievers argue over who does it better. The shameful display is endless!
Those who abandon true faith, from the pulpits perpetrate evil at the highest level, calling God’s Name in vain.
Prophet Ezekiel caught a glimpse of the evils in the temple in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 8:16-18
“So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshipping the sun toward the east. And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose. Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.””
While it is quite understandable that every believer is a work in progress, lingering in sin with a conscience that is seared with hot iron and being completely insincere with no intention of repenting, will eventually attract God’s judgment!
You might say, “Me, I don’t use God!”
Each time you struggle to keep His commands and walk in His ways, you never cease to bring a list of requests that must be answered by Him because you claim to be His Child, feeling entitled to all His blessings and precious promises. You are using God!
Friends, we all ought to submit ourselves to God; to be used by Him and not the other way round! Our service to Him should not only be for the benefit but out of Pure Love, Respect and Dedication to Him.
Shalom!
