WARNING AGAINST SOWING DISCORD

Don't Divide What You Should Build

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 6:12–14 (KJV)

"A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.”

1. WATCH YOUR WORDS

Rumours, gossip and careless talk can destroy relationships.

A careless tongue can destroy what took years to build.

2. DON'T CARRY STORIES

Don't spread information that creates suspicion, anger or division.

Before you speak, ask:

Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Will it bring peace?

If not, keep quiet.

3. BE A PEACEMAKER

Matthew 5:9 (KJV) “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Choose to heal, not hurt; unite, not divide.

4. BUILD, DON'T BREAK

1. Encourage reconciliation.
2. Speak honestly.
3. Forgive quickly.
4. Pray before reacting.
5. Promote peace.

Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) “...he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”

KEY LESSON

1. Don't spread rumours.
2. Don't manipulate people.
3. Don't create unnecessary conflict.
4. Guard your tongue.
5. Promote peace.

FINAL CHARGE

Be a bridge, not a wall. Be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.

Don't sow discord where God wants unity.

SHORT PRAYER

Father, guard my heart and tongue. Keep me from gossip, rumours and words that cause division. Help me speak with wisdom and love, and make me a builder of peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prepared by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo +233544295158

Daily Devotional.
Be kind and tenderhearted.

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Let the tenderness and mercy that Jesus has revealed in His own precious life be an example to us of the manner in which we should treat our fellow beings.... Many have fainted and become discouraged in the great struggle of life, whom one word of kindly cheer and courage would have strengthened to overcome.... We cannot tell how far reaching may be our tender words of kindness, our Christ-like efforts to lighten some burden. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and tender love.

In all your transactions with your fellow men never forget that you are dealing with God’s property. Be kind; be pitiful; be courteous. Respect God’s purchased possession. Treat one another with tenderness and courtesy.

If you have enmity, suspicion, envy, and jealousy in your hearts, you have a work to do to make these things right. Confess your sins; come into harmony with your brethren. Speak well of them. Throw out no unfavorable hints, no suggestions that will awaken distrust in the minds of others. Guard their reputation as sacredly as you would have them guard yours; love them as you would be loved of Jesus.

The grace of God leads men to place themselves in all their business transactions in the place of those with whom they are dealing. It leads men to look not only on their own things but also on the things of others. It leads them to reveal tenderness, sympathy, and kindness. Cherishing a right spirit, living a holy life—this is what being Christlike means....

Let your life be controlled by the wide, generous principles of the Bible, the principles of good will, kindness, and courtesy. [236]

Amazing Facts.
Daily Devotionals

Is it possible for the devil to repent?

August 19th, 2026

There’s no record of Christ offering to die for the fallen angels. But God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6)—it’s just His nature—and I think He bore long with them. There was some kind of probation and mercy extended to Lucifer when he was first entering into his rebellion.

The Scripture says, “He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). There’s a reason for the difference. Satan and his angels were created perfect. They were not deceived in the way that humans were deceived. Lucifer entered a high-handed rebellion into deception. He was made perfect but chose to be proud and to worship himself; whereas Adam and Eve were made in innocence and they were caught off guard by this rebellious fiend. So the devil was more culpable than humanity was. That’s why the Lord had mercy on humans and became one of us in order to save us.

We know from the biblical account that before he sinned, Satan was known as Lucifer and stood in the very presence of God (see Isaiah 14:12). He was closest to the throne of God, and there wasn’t anything more that God could do to reveal His character to him. On the other hand, Adam and Eve were not in that same position. I believe that God gave Lucifer and the angels who believed his lies plenty of opportunity to realize the errors of their way. After all, God is a God of justice, and He’s not willing that any of His creatures should perish.

Key Bible Texts
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14 KJV)

SERMON SEGMENT: "Shed Clear Light of Christ About Football & Its Fans"
Key Texts: Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Colossians 3:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-2

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INTRO
Church, the Lord is speaking to us in this last age. Hebrews 1:2
We must be careful what we pattern our lives after. Because our sanctification is delicate. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”

Tonight let’s talk about football and its fans — not to condemn people, but to shed the clear light of Christ on it.
Ephesians 5:13 — “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.”

1. THE WARNING: DON'T BE PATTERNED BY THE WORLD
Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Football itself is just a game. But the spirit around football and its fan culture often carries:
Pride - Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction”
Injustice - cheating, bribes, violence, curses on other teams
Flesh desires - gambling, drunkenness, lust, idolatry of players, spending hours that should be for God

1 John 2:15-16 — “Do not love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father.”

Warning to Christians and non-Christians:
If our mind, thoughts, and actions are shaped more by football rivalry than by the Spirit, we are being conformed, not transformed.
And “no one should think eternal life inheritance in an unclean life.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — “neither the sexually immoral... nor thieves... will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:21 — “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Our sanctification needs the shield of the Spirit and guidance, or it gets corrupted and compromised. Ephesians 6:16

2. THE BALANCE: DISCIPLINE FROM THE BIBLE, NOT FROM THE WORLD
Some will say: “But Paul used sports!” Yes.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 — “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

Paul is not telling us to go play football. He’s using the discipline of athletes to teach us spiritual discipline:
Focus. Training. Self-control. Running to win an imperishable crown.
Hebrews 12:1 — “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”

The world trains the body for 90 minutes. We must train the spirit for eternity.

Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
If you play football, play unto the Lord. With integrity. Without pride. Without cursing. Without idolatry.
If you are a fan, fan unto the Lord. With a renewed mind.

3. THE TEST: DOES IT HELP OR HINDER YOUR SALVATION?
We are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” — Philippians 2:12
Not earn it. But keep it clean, not corrupted.

Ask yourself 3 questions before the game and after the game:
Does this make Jesus increase in me, or decrease? John 3:30
Does this renew my mind, or fill it with pride, hate, and flesh? Romans 12:2
Can I do this and still be pure and blameless before God? 1 Peter 1:15-16

If football causes you to miss prayer, to gossip, to gamble, to hate, to be drunk — then it has become an idol. 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “Flee from idolatry.”

4. APPLICATION: HOW TO ENGAGE WITH A RENEWED MIND
Awaken - See the spirit behind the culture. Don’t be blind. Proverbs 29:18
Renew - Let the Spirit transform your thoughts about competition, winning, and identity. Romans 12:2
Obey - If the Spirit says “turn it off, come pray,” obey. John 14:23
Purify - Guard your eyes, your mouth, your time. Psalm 119:9

CLOSING WORD
Brothers and sisters, football is not the enemy. The flesh is.

SERMON SEGMENT: "Shed Clear Light of Christ About Football & Its Fans"
Key Texts: Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Colossians 3:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-2

---

INTRO
Church, the Lord is speaking to us in this last age. Hebrews 1:2
We must be careful what we pattern our lives after. Because our sanctification is delicate. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”

Tonight let’s talk about football and its fans — not to condemn people, but to shed the clear light of Christ on it.
Ephesians 5:13 — “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.”

1. THE WARNING: DON'T BE PATTERNED BY THE WORLD
Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Football itself is just a game. But the spirit around football and its fan culture often carries:
Pride - Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction”
Injustice - cheating, bribes, violence, curses on other teams
Flesh desires - gambling, drunkenness, lust, idolatry of players, spending hours that should be for God

1 John 2:15-16 — “Do not love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father.”

Warning to Christians and non-Christians:
If our mind, thoughts, and actions are shaped more by football rivalry than by the Spirit, we are being conformed, not transformed.
And “no one should think eternal life inheritance in an unclean life.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — “neither the sexually immoral... nor thieves... will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:21 — “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Our sanctification needs the shield of the Spirit and guidance, or it gets corrupted and compromised. Ephesians 6:16

2. THE BALANCE: DISCIPLINE FROM THE BIBLE, NOT FROM THE WORLD
Some will say: “But Paul used sports!” Yes.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 — “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

Paul is not telling us to go play football. He’s using the discipline of athletes to teach us spiritual discipline:
Focus. Training. Self-control. Running to win an imperishable crown.
Hebrews 12:1 — “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”

The world trains the body for 90 minutes. We must train the spirit for eternity.

Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
If you play football, play unto the Lord. With integrity. Without pride. Without cursing. Without idolatry.
If you are a fan, fan unto the Lord. With a renewed mind.

3. THE TEST: DOES IT HELP OR HINDER YOUR SALVATION?
We are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” — Philippians 2:12
Not earn it. But keep it clean, not corrupted.

Ask yourself 3 questions before the game and after the game:
Does this make Jesus increase in me, or decrease? John 3:30
Does this renew my mind, or fill it with pride, hate, and flesh? Romans 12:2
Can I do this and still be pure and blameless before God? 1 Peter 1:15-16

If football causes you to miss prayer, to gossip, to gamble, to hate, to be drunk — then it has become an idol. 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “Flee from idolatry.”

4. APPLICATION: HOW TO ENGAGE WITH A RENEWED MIND
Awaken - See the spirit behind the culture. Don’t be blind. Proverbs 29:18
Renew - Let the Spirit transform your thoughts about competition, winning, and identity. Romans 12:2
Obey - If the Spirit says “turn it off, come pray,” obey. John 14:23
Purify - Guard your eyes, your mouth, your time. Psalm 119:9

CLOSING WORD
Brothers and sisters, football is not the enemy. The flesh is.

19-08-2026

Guard Your Heart With His Word

Psalm 119:9 (AMP)
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch on himself and keeping his life in accordance with Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].”

In a world filled with distractions, opinions, temptations, and voices competing for our attention, God gives us a simple but powerful answer: stay close to His Word.

Psalm 119:9 reminds us that purity isn't simply about avoiding the wrong things. It is about intentionally choosing to let God's Word shape the way we think, speak, act, and live.

Our hearts are constantly being influenced by what we watch, listen to, read, and allow into our minds. That's why we cannot afford to treat God's Word as something we only turn to when life gets difficult. His Word is meant to guide us every day.

When God's Word becomes our standard, it helps us recognize what doesn't belong in our lives. When temptation comes, His truth gives us something stronger to stand on. When we're confused, His Word gives direction. When we're discouraged, His promises remind us who God is.

You don't have to be perfect to live a life that honors God. You simply need a heart that is willing to listen, obey, and continually return to Him.

Ask yourself today:
What am I allowing to influence my heart and decisions more than God's Word?
Maybe today is the day to put down the things that are pulling you away from God and pick up His Word again. Let Scripture become louder than fear, temptation, comparison, and the opinions of others.

Prayer
Father, thank You for giving me Your Word to guide and protect me. Help me to guard my heart and be intentional about what I allow into my life. Give me wisdom to recognize what is not pleasing to You and strength to walk away from it. Let Your Word transform my thoughts, shape my character, and direct my steps. When I am tempted or uncertain, remind me of Your truth. Help me to live a life that reflects You—not perfectly, but faithfully. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Reminder
What you continually put into your heart will eventually influence the way you live. Fill your heart with God's Word, and let His truth lead your life.

“Lord, let Your Word be the standard I live by, not the world around me.”

Words Reveal the Heart

Scripture

Judges 12:6 (NKJV)
Then they said to him Say now Shibboleth And he said Sibboleth for he could not pronounce it right Then they would take him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan There fell at that time forty two thousand Ephraimites

Guarding Against Division and Pride

Judges chapter 12 records a tragic conflict not between Israel and foreign enemies but within Israel itself. After Jephthah’s victory the tribe of Ephraim confronts him in anger. Pride and accusation lead to civil strife. What begins as disagreement escalates into deadly division.

Verse 6 shows how something as small as pronunciation became a test of identity and ultimately a cause of death. The word Shibboleth became a dividing line that exposed differences and fueled hostility. Pride and rivalry turned brothers into enemies.

This chapter reminds us that internal division can be more destructive than external opposition. The enemy was no longer outside Israel but within. Pride wounded relationships and caused unnecessary loss.

For believers today Judges 12 is a warning about the power of words and attitudes. Pride and rivalry can damage unity in families churches and communities. God calls His people to humility reconciliation and peace. Division often begins with small offenses that grow when left unchecked.

Reflection Questions

1. Have I allowed pride or offense to create division in my relationships

2. Do my words build unity or contribute to conflict

3. How can I pursue peace when disagreement arises

Prayer

Lord God guard my heart from pride and division. Help me to speak words that build unity and reflect Your love. Teach me to pursue peace and humility rather than rivalry and accusation. In Jesus name Amen.

Lifeline Today
Wednesday August 19
Anger Gives Wrong Label
Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NLT)

Anger is not sinful. It becomes a sin when it gets uncontrollable. Anger is usually manifested in a couple of ways. It can explode through lashing out at others, or it can implode inside you when you push it down and stuff it. Anger causes wrong labels because it narrows our focus. It makes us judge people or situations too fast. We see only the bad things. We miss the truth.

A temporary frustration can give you a permanent, unfair label like "you are toxic," "selfish," or "stupid". A person is usually measured by the size of whatever it takes to make such mad. He is seen as completely bad instead of just human. Therefore, remember God’s Word in Ephesians 4:26 that says: “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” meaning: resolve every issue before the day is over. If your anger is prolonged for just two days, it has turned into sin. This is your day.

Wisdom Fountain: "Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind."
Prayer: Lord, I pray You calm my heart and quiet my mind. When anger rises, give me the supernatural grace to pause, breathe, and choose self-control. Guard my lips from harsh words, replace my frustration with Your patience, and help me see every situation through Your eyes in Jesus' name.

WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST 2026

Topic: Protect Your Heart

Bible Reference

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

A Short Story

Ruth began talking to someone she met online. At first, their conversations were simple. They talked about school, work, family, and their plans for the future. He always seemed to know what to say, especially when she was having a difficult day.

After some time, Ruth became emotionally attached to him. She began checking her phone constantly, waiting for his messages. When he did not reply, her mood changed. When he was happy with her, she felt happy too.

Her prayer life slowly began to suffer. She spent more time talking to him than talking to God. She started hiding some of their conversations because she knew her parents and trusted spiritual leaders would not be comfortable with what was happening.

One evening, after an argument between them, Ruth sat on her bed and cried.

She suddenly realized how much control the relationship had gained over her heart.

She remembered something her mother had told her months earlier: “Not everyone who gains access to your heart has the right to remain there.”

Ruth picked up her Bible and began to pray.

She understood that protecting her heart did not mean refusing to love people. It meant being careful about who she allowed to influence her emotions, decisions, values, and relationship with God.

It was difficult, but Ruth decided to create boundaries and step away from the relationship.

Today's Message

Your heart is valuable. What you repeatedly allow into it will eventually influence how you think, what you desire, and the decisions you make.

This is why Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts with diligence. You cannot allow everyone to have unrestricted access to your emotions and expect your spiritual life to remain unaffected.

This applies to friendships, relationships, social media, entertainment, conversations, and even the thoughts you repeatedly entertain.

Someone may make you feel good and still be taking you away from God's purpose for your life. Something may be popular and still be harmful to your spirit.

Guarding your heart is not weakness. It is wisdom.

Ask yourself regularly, “What is this relationship, habit, conversation, or content producing in me?”

If it is consistently drawing you away from God, you need the courage to create boundaries.

What To Do Today

1. Examine the people and influences that have the strongest effect on your decisions.

2. Set boundaries where necessary.

3. Stop entertaining anything that repeatedly weakens your relationship with God.

4. Choose friends who encourage you to become better, not those who constantly pull you backward.

Prayer

Lord, help me to guard my heart wisely. Give me discernment to recognize influences that are not good for me. Help me to establish healthy boundaries and keep my heart focused on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Examine one relationship or influence in your life today and honestly ask yourself whether it is drawing you closer to God or pulling you away from Him.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

https://t.me/anthonyijere

Guard your mind by choosing thoughts that honor God.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to renew their mind.

#Philippians48 #GuardYourMind #RenewYourMind #ThinkOnTheseThings #GodlyThoughts #PureThoughts #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #WalkByFaith #Lordsbook