This post is Day 24 in a series of studies about “Haggai”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Haggai – Day 24

Haggai was speaking to the priests of his day, not because he needed the answers, but to see if they could understand the message. Would you ask a priest or pastor for a spiritual answer to a query that you have? Are your church leaders approachable to their church members?

Haggai 2:13

Then Haggai said, If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?

Yes, the priests replied, it becomes defiled.

The Thought

The end of Haggai’s riddle and the priests’ answer gives us the point: Consecration does not rub off, but dirt contaminates others quickly! Goodness is not contagious, but sin can be!

If we mix a lot with “sinners” who drink too much alcohol, use abusive language, and are unfaithful to partners, there is a chance that we will become contaminated by their way of life, and what we once thought “sin” will become accepted as “normal”.

Mixing with “good” people would be a better experience, but does not make us “holy”. Only that personal relationship with Jesus can do that.

There are many missionaries who are specifically called to work with people groups who live far from the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus. It is a specific calling and they need our prayers for protection. The enemy likes nothing more than seeing a believer fall into sin, and take others with him.

Haggai was speaking to the priests of his day, not because he needed the answers, but to see if they could understand the message. Would you ask a priest or pastor for a spiritual answer to a query that you have? Are your church leaders approachable to their church members? Maybe in a small church or cell group the answer would be “yes”, but in a mega church, it’s not so easy to have a conversation with a leader.

Action

Pray today for any you know who are walking a “fine line” between holiness and sin. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to them and help them understand the work of the enemy in our midst.

Pray for your leaders to be available, and to have the Biblical inspiration for any questions they might face.

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