Don’t drink the water! That’s good advice when travelling to another country or posted on a sign near a water hole in the desert. It’s also good advice when flying the friendly skies. Experts warn that if you want to refill your water bottle in the lavatory sink, DON’T. Cleverjouney.com says it is not potable water and should only be used for washing your hands. In fact, the sign clearly says “No Drinking Water.”
In fact, don’t drink ANYTHING on a plane that hasn’t come directly from an unopened bottle or can. Don’t drink the coffee or tea. And don’t be afraid to ask! The health of your stomach depends on it. You do NOT want to get sick on the plane!
“In a 2019 water quality analysis conducted by Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center at the City University of New York and consumer advocacy site Diet Detective, water retrieved from major airlines was found to be contaminated with E. coli as well as other coliform bacteria. (Not all coliform bacteria is harmful, though its presence can indicate the existence of other, potentially dangerous pathogens.) The water, which is stored in onboard tanks, is sourced from a variety of locations depending on when the tanks need to be refilled. The water may also be housed or transported in containers that don’t adhere to any sanitary policies.
“Because these channels are either poorly supervised or not at all monitored, there’s no system by which water brought on board a plane can be assessed for pathogens. Nor is there any reliable protocol for airlines to frequently clean the water storage tanks. The net result? Dirty tap water that few would recommend for drinking. And yes, that includes the coffee and tea made with tank water.”1
Another phrase from the past is “don’t drink the Kool-Aid.” It’s a reference to the late-70s cult leader, Jim Jones, and his order for the people of his commune to drink Flavor-Aid drink mix laced with potassium cyanide. Over 900 people committed suicide by drinking just a little bit of the tainted water.
Today’s devotional is the same message as yesterdays, only from a different perspective and passage of Scripture. In the Revelation, seven churches are addressed. A couple of them had a serious and similar problem for which the Lord demanded immediate repentance.
The church in Pergamum was told in Revelation 2:14-16, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (16) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
The situation worsened in Thyatira because this church failed to act. Revelation 2:20-23 says, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”
We should NEVER drink the contaminated water of the Word of God. It should never be available or offered. Warning signs must be placed in our hearts to reject it immediately and never put it to our spiritual lips. Failure to do so will cause grave spiritual illness on our part and invite the Lord to step in and deal with us.
Messing with the Word of God, teaching error, and/or receiving it into our hearts is far worse than E. coli!
1https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-you-cant-drink-airplane-bathroom-water
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