Cheater Cheater, Pumpkin Eater: Don’t Cheat on Your New with Your Old
Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 15:22 – “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
Reflection: Last night, I had a dream that revealed a powerful truth about our relationship with God. In the dream, there was a married couple—a husband representing Jesus and his wife symbolizing a believer. They were happily married until an old flame from the woman’s past appeared. Though she was committed to her husband, as soon as he left the room, she ran back to her former love and fell into temptation.
The Lord showed me that this is how many of us are treating our relationship with Him. God has delivered us from our past—our old ways of living, thinking, and acting—and has given us a new life in Christ. However, some of us are still tempted to return to what we once knew, even though God has called us out of it. We run back to what is familiar the moment we think we can hide it from God, but we must remember: God sees everything.
In the dream, the woman acted like nothing had happened when her husband returned, just as many of us try to act as if nothing is wrong when we are unfaithful to God. But God is calling us higher. He wants us to live a life that is set apart, free from the distractions and temptations of this world.
What is God calling you to leave behind?
Maybe you’ve been prioritizing God and living a more consecrated life, but there’s something He’s asked you to let go of—something from your past that keeps calling you back. Perhaps it’s an old habit, a toxic relationship, or a form of entertainment that doesn’t glorify Him. God says, “Don’t cheat on your new life with your old.” The old has passed away, and behold, all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
A Life of Obedience: The Lord desires our obedience over sacrifice. It’s not enough to give God part of our lives while secretly holding on to old behaviors or relationships that pull us away from Him. As it says in 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeyed God’s instructions by keeping what should have been destroyed. Likewise, we can’t hold on to the things God has asked us to give up and expect to grow in Him. We must fully surrender.
Question for Reflection: What has God instructed you to do that you’ve struggled to obey? Have you prioritized comfort or pleasure over what He has called you to do?
Guard Your Heart and Mind: Another key aspect of faithfulness to God is guarding our ear and eye gates. Proverbs 4:20–22 tells us to be careful of what we see and hear, for they influence our hearts and lives. Are you mindful of what you’re allowing into your life? God is calling you to a new level of spiritual discipline—a lifestyle of purity that reflects your commitment to Him. Revelation 18:4 says, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins.” We cannot compromise with the world and still expect to grow in holiness.
This New Season Requires More Discipline: Many of us have been promoted spiritually, and with each new level, more will be required. Think of it as a spiritual pregnancy—God is birthing something new in you. To carry this new calling to full term, you must walk in purity and discipline. Just as an expectant mother changes her lifestyle for the sake of her unborn child, you must change yours for the sake of what God is birthing in your life.
Scripture Meditation: 1 Peter 1:15-16 – "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
Living Set Apart: Living set apart means removing anything from your life that hinders your walk with God. Just like a married person must remain faithful to their spouse, we must remain faithful to our covenant with Christ. We can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), and we can’t be faithful to both God and the world. God wants all of us—our hearts, minds, and lives completely surrendered to Him.
Steps to Remain Faithful:
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Have Faith – Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
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Avoid Spiritual Unfaithfulness – Doubt and disobedience lead to spiritual adultery. Be mindful of how you are living and where your heart is focused.
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Confess and Repent – If you’ve fallen, confess it to God and repent. He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9).
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Guard Your Gates – Be mindful of what you allow into your heart through what you see and hear.
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Walk in Purity – Let your life reflect the purity of the new thing God is birthing in you.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for setting me apart for Your glory. Forgive me for the times I’ve been unfaithful to You by returning to the old things You’ve called me out of. Help me to walk in obedience and holiness, fully committed to You. Guard my heart and mind from the temptations of this world, and lead me to live a life that is pleasing in Your sight. I want to be faithful to You, Lord. Help me to walk in Your will and bear fruit that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Journal Prompt: What old things has God called you to leave behind, and how can you commit to living fully set apart for Him in this season? Take time to reflect and write out your thoughts, and ask God for the strength to remain faithful to Him.
Closing Thought: God sees everything, and while we may fool others, we cannot fool Him. Let us choose today to live a life of purity and devotion, faithful to the One who loves us unconditionally. Stay committed, stay set apart, and watch how God blesses your obedience.
Check out the YouTube message that goes with this devotional.
https://www.youtube.com/live/vkcslt2PVz0?si=YX60zsd_YaSwZFBO