CONTRARY WINDS

 

 

On a general note, the wind is the air that moves quickly as a result of natural forces. Contrary winds therefore mean quick move of events by natural forces but with resultant negative effects. The truth about life is that sometimes contrary winds come our way as negative and unpleasant events.

 

Contrary winds are not pleasant. They come with great fear and devastation. They work in opposite direction against success and accomplishments. They bring disorder and confusion.

 

It will be recalled that the disciples of Jesus Christ had to contend with terrible storms – contrary winds. In Matthew 14:24 “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” Then in Mark 4:36-37 “And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” As if that was not enough, in Mark 6:45 “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them; and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea and would have passed by them.”

 

Today, the church is faced with contrary winds ranging from hate, misrepresentation, betrayal, persecution, harassment, false doctrines and teachings among others. Of course, this has long been foretold; “Now, the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

 

To a very great extent, the truth is being perverted in the church, the resultant effect of which is the erosion of Christian values and culture. Much more than before, the waves of wrong doctrines and teachings are fast sweeping off the Christ like life of believers. Many hitherto strong believers are falling away and departing from faith having imbibed wrong doctrines. Such doctrines have played down holiness and righteousness, brotherly love, compassion and zeal for soul-winning. All these have been replaced with propensity to prosperity and uncontrolled desire and passion for filthy lucre. The level of immorality has risen to high heavens.

 

To say the least, the perilous times are here when men become lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away – 2 Timothy 3:2-5.

 

In fact today’s church, enmeshed in utter absurdity, enjoys jesters and the so-called entertainers who use the scriptures and the language of the church to create fun. They twist the word of God to suit their audience. This obviously, is fulfilling the warning in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

 

As believers, we live in a world which of course, is a battle field full of exertion and struggle. At one time or the other and as foretold in the scripture, we must face the elements of contrary winds and wrestle with forces of evil in the moral and spiritual world. While God does not lay restraint upon the winds (as seen in the case of the disciples and Jesus on the sea), He allows them to blow against us. Truly it is never an easy task resisting the forces of evil and pursue the course laid out by the Lord.

 

In all ages, people of God have had to face contrary winds but in all cases, they are intended to prove the genuineness of our faith in Him and to showcase His glory so that men will learn to depend solely on Him. In the process of going through contrary winds believers are taught to develop a Christlike character in the midst of a wicked world “that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15. It also teaches us “to abstain from every form of evil” 1 Thessalonians 5:22. In Jas 1:27, the Bible also enjoins us to remain unspotted from the world.

 

It is not, however, easy to go against this contrary wind, but we must, if we are to become what the Lord expects us to be. ”But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry”. 2 Timothy 4:5. This must be the focus of all believers even in the midst of the fiercest contrary winds. The Master of the sea and the winds is always there to ensure His own people are not swept away by contrary winds neither will they sink in the waves of the ocean of life. Stand firm!