And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Genesis 3:7
Bottom line: The glory of God in your life can be lost.
Teaching
Genesis chapter 3 recounts the fall of man. The Bible says that Adam was in perfect harmony with the Lord. God gave him the Garden of Eden to dress and keep. He had all the fruits of the trees in the garden to eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was he not to eat. Adam obeyed this instruction and lived in harmony with God. God came frequently in the garden and communed with Adam. Then the woman came into the picture. God made her from Adam’s rib. Adam educated his wife concerning God’s instruction, but the devil managed to deceive her into disobeying God. Then, her husband disobeyed as well. After they both ate the fruit,
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Genesis 3:7 (ESV)
They suddenly realized that they were naked. How come? This is because the glory of God which covered them departed. Yes, they lost the glory.
Every child of God has God’s glory which covers their lives. When we continually fellowship with God by his spirit through his Word and prayer, we become more and more engulfed in his glory. The Bible says Moses was in fellowship with God for 40 days and when he returned, the glory of God shone so much from his face that he had to put on a veil before approaching the elders of Israel.
33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.
34 Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded,
35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Exodus 34:33-35 (ESV)
This glory we have covers and protects us. This glory brings beauty and light to our lives.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
However, this glory can be lost. There is this belief some Christians have that “once saved, forever saved.” They think they can go about living any way they want and still maintain the presence and glory of God. Well, the Bible teaches us that the glory can be lost. The glory is there because of the presence of the Lord, and when the Lord’s presence departs, his glory departs as well.
This is what happened in the house of Eli the Priest. Eli was a Priest of God who stood as a Judge over Israel for 40 years. Eli served the Lord in all uprightness of heart; however, he had two sons, Hophni and Phineas who lived unrighteous lives. They oppressed the people and lived unclean lives so much so that the Bible referred to them as sons of Belial.
12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:12 (KJV)
Eli their father knew the kind of lifestyle they lived but failed to restrain them and correct them. Then God sent a prophet to Eli the priest who declared the following words.
29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house
1 Samuel 2:29-31 (KJV)
God sanctioned the priest for allowing his sons to live a life that dishonors Him. Later, Israel was attacked by the Philistines, and the arch of the Lord which represents God’s presence and glory was captured. Eli died after he heard the news, and his daughter-in-law was forced into labor. She gave birth to a man child and named the child Ichabod because the glory of God had departed from Israel.
21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
1 Samuel 4:21 (KJV)
Israel now was vulnerable to attacks from their enemies because God’s presence had departed.
Another example is King Saul in the Bible. The Bible says because of disobedience, he lost the throne, and his lineage was stripped out from the kingship of Israel.
22 And Samuel said,
Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams.23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
1 Samuel 15:22-23 (KJV)
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,
he hath also rejected thee from being king.
The presence of God will not abide with you if you live a life of disobedience and rebellion. Rebelling against God’s word and his commandment will cost you his presence and his glory. The ‘a’ part of verse 23 of the scripture above says:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry
Furthermore, the Bible says.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
The Holy Spirit can be grieved. Living the wrong lifestyle will grieve the Spirit of God and cause you to lose his presence. Do not grieve the Spirit. Do not lose the glory.
Further Study
- Lamentations 1:8 [Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; Therefore she is removed: that honoured her despise her, Because they have seen her nakedness: Yea, she sigheth,]
Reflection
- How do you evaluate your walk with the Holy Spirit?
- Are you careful enough to recognize his presence daily and fellowship with him?
- Are there any aspects in your life you feel need adjustment or reshaping?
- If yes, ask the Lord to help you effect all necessary adjustments today.
Prayer
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your presence and your glory in my life. I pray that you lead me in the paths of righteousness and uprightness, that I may dwell with you forever in the name of Jesus. Amen.
