Genesis 49:3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch!
As the firstborn of the family, Reuben had claim to the inheritance rights of the firstborn, but he forfeited it through pride (the excellency of dignity) and through immorality (you defiled it). Reuben’s immorality with his father’s concubine Bilhah (the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali) Because of Reuben’s instability, the birthright was divided. Though we see the great wisdom of God in decentralizing authority among the sons of Israel, Reuben paid a high price for his instability. As much as anything, God looks for a stable character in those who will lead His people. The tribe of Reuben never did excel. No prophet, no judge, or no king that we know of came from the tribe of Reuben. Reuben is an example of how lust and pride will rob the soul of blessings. Though it may have been thought to have been done in secret, God sees all, and even our secret sins are exposed before him and many times before man at our loss. Many opportunities of greatness for God have been lost in those who might have been had it not been for their uncontrolled passions and lusts.
Our souls have the possibility and potential for many things either for good or bad. The problem is they both can seem right in the heat of the moment. Though it should be easily seen that one is right and one is wrong, those whose hearts and minds become complacent and neglectful of things of God have no control over the lusts and passions of their sinful heart. The reason for this is that they have intentionally chosen to follow after their own wants, passions, and lusts, howbeit for a single time or multiple times. The result on their life is devastating.
We are to guard our hearts and minds through intentionally choosing to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do. None of us are immune to the temptations of natural man but certainly we can choose to reject them. We are given free will to choose. We literally get to say yes or no to these temptations. Our discernment comes from the Lord. Our strength comes from the Lord. Our ability to recognize temptations and fight them truly depends on our intentional choice to either honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do, or to intentionally choose to become neglectful and complacent in things of God.
Let no one think they are beyond being tempted by Satan. Let no one think because they do not have lusts of the flesh that they are free from other lusts of the soul. Greed, pride, or power are equally waiting at the door to our hearts and minds. A man’s heart void of the Word of God and the want to honor and glorify Jesus Christ is fertile ground for Satan’s temptations.
Choose to stay close to God. Chose to stay in His Word. Chose to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all you think, say, and do. Choose this day whom you will serve, honor, and glorify.
