THE MASKED TRUTH by Precious C Philip

On my way to work last week Wednesday, while pondering on an issue, the Holy Spirit dropped a sharp message in my heart. He shared this masked truth with me, He said: "People do not really do things that are wrong because everybody is doing it. People do things that are wrong because they personally derive some good from it." It first seemed strange to me because I've always thought that many people today do things simply because everyone is doing it. But reflecting carefully on what He said, I realized how truthful His statement is. People really don't do what is wrong merely because everybody seems to be doing it, people do what is wrong because they get some form of personal good from it. Something might be rampant but before anyone embrace it, they usually immediately first think of how it'll benefit them if they embrace it. If they see that it'll not bring them any benefit, they do not welcome it.

For instance, provocative dressing is rampant today among women, but the truth is that any lady who has embraced this style of dressing did not just embrace it because it is trending, the actual reason she embraced it is because it brings her some personal “advantage” such as looking hot, attractive and sexy to men and being desired by so many men, being admired by her fellow ladies as she flaunts her beautiful skin, cleavage, thighs, backside and figure, being praised and commended for her physical beauty and attractiveness etc.. Now there are ladies who although are aware that provocative dressing is what is in vogue do not dress provocatively. Why? They perceived that such dressing does not benefit them in any way because to them, they haven't got the perfect figure to display, they haven't got the nice body to show off, and they haven't got the glowing and smooth skin to flaunt. So even though everybody around them, their friends and loved ones seems to be dressing provocatively, they cannot dress in such manner because of the above-mentioned limitations. You can see why people do things, particularly what is wrong, not because everybody is doing it but because they're personally benefiting from it.

Also, take a look at this: a lot of single people today engage in sex before marriage and a lot of married people commit adultery. If you my dear reader is engaging in sex before marriage or in adultery, you don't really do it because everybody is doing it, you actually do it because you personally enjoy the pleasure in sex. It is all about what you yourself get from it. If engaging in sex before marriage or outside your marriage is not something that gives you pleasure, you will not do it. That is the pure gospel truth! If you're watching pornography or masturbating, you're not doing it because everybody around you seems to be doing it; you are doing it because it benefits you personally.

If you're lying, cheating, defrauding, stealing, giving and receiving bribe, backbiting, gossiping, gambling (betting), smoking, snorting drugs, drinking alcohol, partying, living in debauchery, orgies, carousing etc., you are not doing any of these because everyone appears to be doing it today, you're doing it solely for your own personal gain and benefit. You wouldn't do any of these if there is no "good" in it for you.

People merely use the phrase, "I do it because everyone else is doing it" or "I'm not the only one doing it, a lot of people are doing it, so I followed suit" to justify their actions and attempt to excuse themselves from being blamed for whatever wrong they're caught doing, and to make people believe that it is not their fault for doing what is wrong but the corrupt society, therefore exonerating themselves from punishment or from taking responsibility for their actions; but the real truth behind those false assertions and excuses is that people do what they do because of their own selfish reason and personal benefit.

Therefore, you are not doing that wrong/sinful thing you are doing now simply because "everyone" is doing it. You are doing it because you personally derive some pleasure, benefit or gain from it. For there are many good and noble things which everybody seems to be doing today that you are probably not doing, example: tithing, going to church, giving to the poor, reading the Bible, praying, fasting, going for soul-winning, giving to promote God's kingdom on earth, giving to your pastor, giving to your biological parents, praying for your children etc. Why are you not doing some of these? Because you in particular do not derive any pleasure, benefit or gain from it. Whatever wrong thing you're doing now you are doing primarily because you get something of "personal benefit" from it. So, selfishness is the root of all disobedience to God's commandments. Genuinely repent today and cast off the spirit of selfishness and live henceforth to do the will of God.

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God." 1 Peter 4:1-2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

God bless you.