Metal is purified by fire. As it is heated, impurities are burned away, and only the pure metal remains. Over and over, God tested the people of Judah and found their lives lacked purity. After continuous warnings of the destruction, the people continued in their sinful ways, not allowing the refining process to affect their lives. In retrospect, it is easy to sit back and think how people continue to ignore the warnings; however, I am guilty of the same. Again and again, the word of God warns us of the consequence of our actions, yet those warnings have gone unheard many times in my life.

In Jeremiah chapter six, God is warning the tribe of Benjamin to flee. A battle was on its way to punish the city for its oppression, wickedness, and violence. But in verse 10, we see that the ears of the people were closed to the message of God.
“To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.” (10 NIV) The people had become angry with God and wanted no part of God’s commandments because living for God did not seem exciting. I have been here also. Being an immature Christian requires discipline. When we mature in Christ and learn how to apply Biblical principles to everyday situations, the Christian walk shifts from only disciplined living to Godly living.

We can dislike God’s demand for a disciplined living, but that does not mean that his law goes away. The Israelites chose to listen to false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear rather than listening to the hard truth from Jeremiah. But denying the truth never changes it; what God says will always happen. Sin is never removed by denying it. We must confess to God that we have sinned and ask him for forgiveness. When we sincerely repent, we can ask God for what is needed to endure the process of refining the impurities in our lives. He will lead us down the right path to living a Godly life.

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ 17 I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ (16-17 NLT)
Are you following God’s old but true way that leads to rest for your soul, or are you following a new path of your own choosing? What impurities in your life should be burned away? Confess those to God and allow him to purify you as he deems necessary.