Affinities and Sanctified Unity

We know that we all want unity in the body of Christ, however, we also know there are some who say they are part of the body but, are not keeping His commandments nor are they doing those things that are pleasing in His sight (I Jn. 3:22). Therefore, we must ask God for sanctified unity in the body of Christ. Unfortunately, simply aligning with some groups could undo all that we’re trying to accomplish or even worse could bring about spiritual defeat and even shipwreck.

God’s word says: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3) We cannot align with those who claim to serve Christ, then turn around and partake in things God says to separate ourselves from. If we are to win the end time battles that confront us and position our nation for a visitation of God we must set ourselves apart for Him. We owe loyalty to the Lord first, before all other things and that loyalty is measured by obedience to His word.

The urgency of the hour demands that we sharpen our focus, intensify our commitment, and set aside all things, situations, and relationships that would cause us to stumble or fail to run the race with endurance (Heb. 12:1). God says; “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (II Chron. 16:9).

The God we serve is a God who looks for loyalty of heart. However, when it comes to loyalties, our loyalty to the Lord may be compromised by our affinities. The word affinity may be a mystery to some so let’s look at several definitions.

One definition is: a natural liking for, or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc., or a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking, or attraction is felt. The word also means a – relationship by marriage or by ties other than those of blood. Yet, another meaning is: an inherent likeness or agreement, close resemblance or connection. One final definition means – of or relating to persons who share the same interests.

Isn’t it interesting that the ideas of ties, connection, and attraction are evident with affinities?

The word ties means to: confine or restrict as if with a cord. It could be said quite literally, our affinities “tie or restrict us” as if an invisible cord would connect us to those people, places, or things to which we have an affinity. In most all cases the strength of our loyalty is associated with the strength of the cords that tie us to our affinities.

The truth within this understanding is that our being loyal to something or someone other than the Lord first, can place us in serious danger, resulting in dire consequences that could cause us to lose not only the battle, but also, quite possibly, the war. Failing to recognize, acknowledge, and disengage from our affinities can be a reason for unanswered prayer, unexplained defeats, eventual wandering from the Lord, loss of our faith, and ultimately separation from the Lord.

There are several examples of how affinities have resulted in devastating and painful consequences. First, we have relationship between Samson and Delilah. The Scripture says:

Afterward it happened that he (Samson) loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him... (Jud. 6:4).

Here, we see how Samson’s invisible ties and attraction to Delilah was his downfall. Eventually, his enemies were able to overpower him because he was “all tied up” by his lust for this woman. Samson’s strong ties to Delilah literally caused him to be bound, afflicted, and enslaved. He died because he could not break his ties to this evil woman.

Next we have Achan and his contribution to Israel’s’ defeat at Ai. The Biblical record tells us exactly why Israel was defeated.

But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel. (Jos. 7:1)

After their defeat the Lord told Joshua:

Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you. (Jos. 7:13)

When confronted by Joshua, Achan’s reason for disobeying God was: “When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them” (Jos. 7:21). The consequences for Achan’s strong ties to gold, silver, and other inanimate objects was hefty. Thirty-five members of his tribe died in battle, and Achan, his wife and his children and everything that he owned were stoned to death and burned up with fire (Jos. 7:5,24,25). Achan’s affinity to accursed things resulted in death and destruction for many.

Other examples include King David. Because of his affinity for Bathsheba he committed murder (2 Sam. 11), and, because of his ties to his sons, he allowed his daughter, Tamar’s rape to go unpunished (2 Sam. 13. 14), which ultimately led to his son, Absalom murdering his other son, Amnon (2 Sam. 13. 28-29). David’s unwillingness to deal with the sin of his affinities for others nearly cost him the throne (Absalom’s treason 2 Sam.15), and, the kingdom, and ultimately, led to the death of his son Absalom (2 Sam. 18). The power and consequences of affinities cannot be underestimated nor overlooked.

To be tied, connected, and attracted, to the Lord God Almighty is the only ultimate legitimate affinity, and of course there are secondary affinities that are acceptable. However, the most dangerous ones are those that connect us to people, places, or things that will spiritually contaminate us, or that are doomed to destruction. An unholy affinity is like – as a dear friend recently said – leaning up against a tree that’s going to be struck by lightening. When that lightening hits, guess who is going to get fired too.

Unfortunately, many in the Body of Christ are leaning up against trees that are doomed for destruction. Trees of this type are contaminated by a mixture of occult spiritual practices, alignment with things that God hates, false and heretical beliefs, or embracing the doctrine of Balaam. The saddest part of the picture is that rather than turning away from such practices many find a way to rationalize, justify, or outright defend their continued strong ties to that which God hates.

Recently the Lord spoke to me about this, and how severe this is in HIS sight. I understood CLEARLY that if I come into agreement with someone in prayer, and they continue on in their ungodly loyalties than I am aligning with them and pitting myself against God. We have to be so careful to agree WITH God and not just accept lightly the situations we are called to pray for.

As we have seen affinities can lead to destruction and God cannot be mocked. Unfortunately, today we have “Christians” engaging in things not acceptable to God. Too often the Church shies away from confronting and dealing with things that defile and offend God’s glory. One of the main reasons the nation is in the state it is in, is because, the church is in the state it is in! We have leaders who prefer influence over integrity; prosperity and pomposity over people and the eternity of their souls;

and, the rituals of men over the righteousness of God.