II Chronicles 17:6 - "He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah."
Are we proud of Jesus? It is one thing to bring a bible to work and place it on our desk, or to display a bumper sticker on our cars. However, are we living out what we proclaim? Do we fear the Lord rather than fearing what others think? Saying we are a Christian yet not behaving like one is worse than hypocrisy, it is treason against our Lord. To partake of gossip or to listen to an off-color joke is to engage in idolatrous behavior. The writer of Chronicles goes on to say in verse 10 how the "dread of the Lord was on all the kingdoms around Judah so they did not make war against Jehoshaphat."
Have we created an air of "dread" with those we know who are unbelievers? Or do they feel comfortable behaving worldly because they feel unchallenged in our presence? We can accept all men with love but they should also know our boundaries and what we deem acceptable. If we are not creating conviction through the Holy Spirit in our relationships, then we should possibly do a self-examination. When we get right with God, the Holy Spirit within us will once again lift up the standard of Jesus and remove the "high places" that seek to separate us from Him.
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