Why is it that so many people become believers in Messiah for a time but soon fall away back into the same sinful condition they were in before or perhaps even worse?
For many it is because they fail to read Yahweh’s word.
Absorbing His word into our minds can fulfill us like nothing else. Words are very powerful. Often our actions and mannerisms are a carbon copy of our current group of friends or those we work with.
There is wisdom in the proverb:
Prov 12:26- The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Words are “spirit”. The very word “spirit” also means breath or wind. When we are around unbelievers in our work life or have unbelievers as friends, there are subtle influences that their words can have on us. The same holds true for Yahweh’s word. However, when we read Yahweh’s word we know we can put down our guard because His word is spirit, truth and life.
John 6:63- “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and [they] are life.
This is where the keeping the Sabbath is so essential to our spiritual growth. If we have one day out of the week that we can withdraw ourselves from the world and its influences and concentrate on keeping the day holy by worshipping, praying and studying Yahweh’s word, it truly strengthens our faith and a keeps us growing spiritually.
Soon, keeping the Sabbath is no longer just a day of rest but rather a way of life! Often, the keeping of the Sabbath will keep us from falling away. The idea of breaking it becomes unthinkable because it is the way we live! Just as it would be unthinkable to not go to work during the week.
Ask anyone who keeps the Sabbath the way Yahweh wants us to and they will testify that it is truly a blessing!! Most importantly, it is keeping the fourth commandment.
John 14:15- “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– 17 “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
The Holy Spirit is quenched by breaking the Sabbath just as it is quenched by murder or any disobedience.
The principle is not “Give us the Comforter and then we will keep the commandments,” but you must first take that step in obedience for the Spirit to do works in you.
The gentiles in acts were given the Holy Spirit because they took a first step in obedience. Namely baptism. Clearly those who use the Sabbath day as a day for pursuing worldly pleasure, work or profit are not only missing out on a true spiritual blessing that will keep our minds and bodies strong but are also quenching His Spirit which leads us into all truth. Yahweh gives His Spirit to those who obey Him!
Acts 5:32- “And we are His witnesses to these things, and [so] also [is] the Holy Spirit whom Yahweh has given to those who obey Him.”
Truly, when we disobey the truth given to us, then Yahweh will not convict us on more truth. But when we accept and obey the truth shown us, he will guide us into more truth. My study on the importance of seeking truth expands on this.