Scripture Anchor:
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,” Matthew 17:1 KJV

Jesus loved people.He ministered to multitudes, taught disciples, sent out the twelve, yet there were moments when Peter, James, and John were brought closer.

That should tell us something:

Love can be extended broadly while access is stewarded wisely. 

Everybody does not need the same access to you.That is not arrogance nor is it suspicion. And it certainly does not mean deciding that some people are beneath you.

It means understanding that relationships have different purposes, responsibilities, and levels of trust.

Some people know you publicly, some work alongside you, some are friends, some have earned the privilege of hearing what you do not tell everybody.

And some can advise you, correct you, pray with you concerning matters you would never announce publicly.

And some people can be genuinely loved without being given access to the private places of your life.

GUARD YOUR ACCESS

One mistake we sometimes make is confusing Christian love with unrestricted access. They are not the same thing.

You can be kind without becoming available for everything.

You can forgive someone without immediately restoring the same level of trust.

You can serve people without giving them authority to influence your decisions. You can listen without accepting every opinion as counsel.

And you can love someone deeply while recognizing that a particular level of access is no longer healthy or appropriate.

Trust, character, wisdom, fruit, and history matters.

ACCESS SHOULD MATCH RELATIONSHIP

Ask yourself:

Who has access to my inner life, and why?

Who gets to influence your thinking, hears your unfinished thoughts, or speaks into major decisions?

Who receives your time whenever they demand it?

Who knows your vulnerabilities?

These are not small questions.

Access creates influence.   and influence can affect direction.

This is why discernment is necessary, not because everyone around us is dangerous, but because everyone around us is not assigned the same role.

MONDAY WARFARE PRAYER

Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life.

I walk wisely to steward my relationships without fear, suspicion, pride, or foolishness.

With your love poured into my heart, I  will love freely and grant access wisely.

I receive  discernment concerning those who speak into my life; and the humility to receive godly counsel from those You have positioned to help me grow.

Thank You for the grace to develop patience, the courage to set boundaries and healing me from hurts, 

Where I have confused love with unlimited access, give me understanding.

Let my relationships be governed by truth, love, wisdom, and Your Word. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amein.

PONDER THIS

Have you given someone a level of access that the relationship has never developed the trust or responsibility to carry?

Shalom,

Hephzibah Christly #TheSpiritualWarrior