“In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:4‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

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There are two paths this verse could take us. One path will lead us away from God and one will lead us toward God.

The path that will lead us away from God in shedding our blood is the path of self-mutilation. This is the same act the prophets of Baal used in their attempt to be heard by Baal. 

“At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up! ” They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:27-28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/1ki.18.27-28.hcsb

God commands us not to do this.

“You are not to make gashes on your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves; I am Yahweh.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19:28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/lev.19.28.hcsb

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should keep this body as pure as possible. 

“Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/1co.6.19-20.hcsb

The path that will lead us toward God in shedding our blood is the path of repentance and resistance. Repentance toward God and resistance to the devil.

Repentance is getting down on our knees to ask God to once again forgive us and to determine to follow His leading for our lives. And resistance to the devil to not be lead astray by His cunning tactics. But where does our blood come from repentance and resistance? Have you ever read in Jesus' greatest turmoil that His sweat was turned to blood? 

“Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:44‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/luk.22.44.hcsb

When was the last time we were so done with sin that we fought has had hard as Jesus did against sin? When was the last time we spent time on our knees that they became raw from the floor we were kneeling on? 

Most of us have never got to that point! But it is not too late to seek God with that much perseverance.

“But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/jas.4.6-8.hcsb


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