DECIMATING FACTORS
3 FACTORS THAT WILL REDUCE YOUR LIFE, YOUR FAITH, YOUR HOPE IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN
I. Fear
Fear is the antithesis of faith. Faith has positive power in us and fear has negative, decimating power.
Faith gets results. So does fear.
Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
Fear stopped this man:
· (Luke 19:21 KJV) For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
Fear moved them to ungodly action:
· (Luke 20:19 KJV) And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
· (Luke 22:2 KJV) And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
Fear thwarted testimony:
· (John 9:22 KJV) These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
II. Wavering
It is as plain as the nose on your face—if you waver it affects delivery.
Word Picture: We reach by faith into the unseen real world of God to procure by faith the things that we have need of and that are according to His will. Then, because of our prayer and faith, our “order” is received in the unseen real world of God. It is then placed on the “delivery truck” and heads our direction. As we continue by faith to believe, the “delivery truck” continues in our direction. However, when we “waver”, the “delivery” is recalled and we get nothing. Many times the “delivery truck” has been on our street, almost there, when we wavered and gave up. So close, but no delivery!
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
III. Mordecai factor—letting “one thing” keep you upset and unthankful
The decimating factor for Human was that “Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.”
Note: all the other “great” things in His life were decimated by this “Mordecai factor”
Est. 3:2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.
Est 5:11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
Est 5:12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
Est 5:13 yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
Conclusion: Your decisions concerning fear, wavering, and the Mordecai factor will determine whether your will be resisted or assisted, or whether you will be diminished or replenished. Choose to reduce fear, to discontinue wavering, and to refuse to let a “Mordecai factor” reduce you to ingratitude.
