Beware of the Esau Spirit

There's a narrative in the Bible that talks about the birth of twin brothers, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the elder brother and Jacob was the younger brother, even though they were born at the same time. The scripture records that God loved Jacob, but hated Esau (Romans 9). It's rare that we think of God "hating" anybody, but we have to understand what the twins represent. Esau and Jacob represent two distinct spirits, one that God loves, the other God hates. For the sake of this discussion, we will deal primarily with the Esau spirit, and let me say on the front end, Beware of the Esau Spirit.

The first thing we want to look at in regards to the Esau Spirit was his "preference for affection". The scripture says that Esau grieved his parents by the wives that he married (Genesis 26). What was the big deal? They were Canaanite women, women who were not a part of the Covenant People of God. The practice was for the Hebrews to marry "within their kindred". Abraham was adamant about finding his son Isaac a wife amongst his own people (Genesis 24). The Divine concern is that if the Hebrew men married the heathen women, they might lead them to worship their pagan gods (Deuteronomy 7). We need to watch who we develop associations and intimate relationships with. Not everybody who's available is necessarily God's choice for us. But sometimes, when you get lonely and you're tired of "being alone", you find yourself "settling" for whoever might be interested. This is not the Will of God. This is the Esau Spirit. This is a spirit of compromise and neglect of the Divine Standard that God had established for His Covenant People. Maintain the Standard and Values that God has ordained for your personal relationships. Don't succumb to the Esau Spirit. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4).

Then we see that the Esau Spirit is a "sell-out" spirit. Esau sold his birthright for one morsel of meat (Hebrews 12). The key to this story is found in Genesis 25 in what Esau sold-out for. Esau sold out for Provision. He was hungry and wanted something to eat, so he devalued what God had ordained for him and, once again, settled for what was going to give him immediate gratification. Saints, I am convinced that we have more than a few "spiritual sell-outs" in the Body of Christ. Genuinely anointed men and women of God whom the Devil seduces with the enticement of natural provision, and they fall for the bait. I say again, don't succumb to the Esau Spirit. The Bible clearly says that the Lord will supply ALL of our needs according to His Riches in Glory (Philippians 4). We must learn to wait on God. Don't be anxious for material possessions and financial support at the expense of your Divine Calling and Inheritance. I can assure you, it is not worth it. Ask Esau, who when he finally saw his mistake, wanted to reverse it; but it was too late (Hebrews 12). I say again saints, Beware of the Esau Spirit.