It Is Not for You!

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. Prov 31:4-6 NKJV

Recently, during a personal prayer program, the phrase “it is not for Kings” popped up in my spirit repeatedly. As the thought persisted, I had to search out the scriptures and tarried to meditate on it. While the Bible did not provide additional historical details about King Lemuel in the above scripture, the instructions given to him are ever relevant to anyone who desires to walk with God blamelessly.

While others may be excused to indulge in certain things, those who have been called to walk with God are not permitted such indulgence. Every believer belongs to the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;) As a chosen and called out people, there are things not meant for us. There is a great need to live in the understanding of our identity in this regard. Lack of understanding is what make people stray into territories where they should not be found. You must know what is not for you, no matter how popularly accepted it is; or regardless of how people indulge in it; or regardless of how tempting it is; or regardless of the situation and circumstances that surround you. You just must be cautious not to stray into what destroys others who have refused to caution themselves.

Today, we hear lots of news of people who should be custodians of Biblical instructions and wisdom, who themselves, have become perverted because they touched what is not meant for them. It is really sad, and we pray God in His mercy draw such back to Himself. However, we all need to exercise caution as we grow on in life, in influence or affluence that we do not touch, taste nor take what is not meant for us. As you relate with others, be cautious to know your boundaries- those you must not touch, because they are not for you; things you must not take, because they are not for you; offers you must refuse, because they are not meant for you, regardless of how enticing they may be. Boundaries must really be respected with all sense of diligence and of the fear of God. There are some things that you touch or take, and your reasoning becomes compromised; your desires and aspirations take dangerous turns and can possibly make you give a foothold to the enemy.

“For if they drink they may forget their duties and be unable to give justice to those who are oppressed.” Prov 31:5 TLB

The word “drink” in this passage, is figurative. In simple terms, we just must know whatever those things are, that are not for us and run away from them. Do not become too self-confident that you play around what you should flee from. There is an adage that says ‘you do not sniff what you are not to eat.’ Taking or touching what is not yours can pervert your sense of reasoning and responsibility. We must understand very well, the enemy we are dealing with as believers. We must be careful not to give him an inch around us; else he takes a foothold. Compromise is a dangerous thing; and the enemy stops at nothing to bring offers of compromise. After Jesus’ 40 days and night of fasting, Satan offered Him what He was not to take. Of course, the whole world belongs to God, but Satan’s real offer was hidden in the picture he presented. Jesus knew what He mustn’t take, and He rejected it. He understood and was mindful of why He came to the earth and so refused to allow it be truncated by what He wasn’t to take.   

What else does Satan want from us, other than for us to lose purpose? And so, he will stop at nothing to bring offers, dangle before our very eyes, things that we must not take, yet they look appealing. We must be sensitive to refuse and reject satanic offers that can make us lose purpose; the very essence of our existence.

The instruction to king Lemuel was not to drink, lest he perverts his purpose.

“For if they drink they may forget their duties and be unable to give justice to those who are oppressed.” Prov 31:5 TLB

What else does Satan want from us, other than for us to lose purpose? And so, he will stop at nothing to bring offers, dangle before our very eyes, things that we must not take, yet they look appealing. We must be sensitive to refuse and reject satanic offers that can make us lose purpose; the very essence of our existence. We must be careful of things that parade themselves before us; yet, they are not for us: in our offices, classrooms, work places, business environment; streets; neighborhood; on the internet (pop-up immoral sites or views); on the social media; relationships with the opposite gender; business proposals or offers; strange gifts etc. We must be sensitive by the help of the Holy Spirit, as believers, to know what is not for us and refuse to take them.

I pray that the Holy Spirit quickens our sensitivity and perception more and more; that we do not long for what is not ours to take them, even when freely offered. May we not lose our purpose on offers that are packaged from the pit of hell to look harmless, whereas, they are destructive. May we not crave strange things; those things that destroy Kings. May our thirst and hunger be for Him alone; who has saved us and called us to walk with Him- Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

©Funmi Adebayo