The Positive and the Negative

The Positive and the Negative

1 Timothy 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, FLEE these things (negative); and FOLLOW after righteousness (positive)…”

There is no such thing as a car battery with only a positive post. For a battery to work, there must be a positive and a negative side. This is also true in the spiritual realm. The Bible is repeatedly clear on the point that you cannot hold hands with God and the world at the same time.

Paul wrote, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils” (1 Cor. 10:21).
There is a separation from something (negative) and separation to something else (positive). The Jews under Nehemiah “separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God” (Neh. 10:28).

Whenever you say “yes” to God (positive), you must also say “no” to the devil (negative). James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” It is useless to try and resist the devil without first submitting to God. The devil is too strong for mere mortals. Victory always begins with surrender to God. But, at the same time, we must also actively resist Satan. While we positively position ourselves on God’s side, we must also take a negative stand against the enemy. So again, the act of submission (positive) must be coupled with active resistance (negative).

Both elements must be part of any Churches teaching (2 Tim. 4:2). The preacher is to exhort (positive) and rebuke (negative). Any preacher that does not preach both sides is like a battery with no power.

A lady came to Dr. Tom Malone, long time Pastor in Pontiac, Michigan and author of many fine books, and said , “Dr. Malone, you need to be more positive in your preaching. You are so negative when you preach!” Dr. Malone responded saying, “No you’re mistaken, I AM POSITIVE in my preaching—I’m positive that sin is wrong!” He was right!

So remember, in order to have power, it positively takes both positive and negative!

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