"Familiarity" a common term understood by almost all and sundry. Is it on family grounds,at workplace,among colleagues,name it......On simple terms, to be familiar with something means frequently seen, heard, or experienced. In other words, it means "saying that something is easy for you to recognize because you have seen, heard, or experienced it many times in the past".

Before we became part of God's sheepfold, we were sinners and unbelievers,therefore,accepting Christ was of topmost importance. Now part of the army of Christ, we do well to please Him. We work according to His guiding principles and commandments. Our works in Christ is been accentuated in Matt 5:16 which says ;

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This means God is pleased with how we do is will and bring others to know him. The Bible recorded that there is Joy in heaven when a sinner repents according to Luke 15:7. That's how God values our work to Him.

source

With this in mind, we desire more to know Him more. We always have Him in our hearts. We're burning with zeal. The consciousness of Christ is in us in such a way that we monitor our very actions and make sure its in line with God's word. If it's the other way around, we retrace back our steps and seek God for mercies. We make the word of God our priority and feed on it daily. The gathering of the brethren is never neglected because we are always there fellowshipping. All these are so much in view because we're developing in the newness of Christ. But with time, the spirit of familiarity comes into our beings and our passion for God diminishes.

Today, Christians and Christianity are being faced with the issue of overfamiliarity that they no longer have the respect and reverence for God. The things pertaining to God are now being treated with levity. The feeling of "I have arrived" beclouds their senses and therefore see no (more) values in God's work and takes Him for granted. The fear of God is on the decrease even when He admonished us according to Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

In the Bible, according to Leveticus 10:1-2;

1. And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
   2.And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

From the passage, it could be seen that Nadab and Abihu thought they could make offering of anything to Him at anytime since it was God and they are familiar with Him. And because of this, they lost their fear of God. Leveticus 7:34-36 tells us more about those who are chosen to serve God and are descendants of Aaron. With Nadab and Abihu among, they felt they were too special for God to do anything. Familiarity overwhelmed them.

source

The children of Israel faced a battle with the issue of overfamiliarity during the period of God taking them to the promise land. God did so much for them in the wilderness but at the end they turned their backs and worshipped idols. Even their leader Moses, was disrespected due to them being familiar with him.

Most Christians have lost the passion, desire, willingness they once had for God and His presence in their lives. The power and might if God was being experienced in their lives and one point or the other but now they are empty. This is because it has been forgotten that we need to honour Him according to 1 Samuel 2:30;

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Therefore, being overfamiliar with God makes us lose respect and reverence for Him. This is also applicable to those God has chosen as leaders.

Honour to both God and His house are taken for granted with overfamiliarity. The bible recorded that Jesus rebuked those who turned the house of God into a market for buying and selling. This is an act of overfamiliarity. John 2:16

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Also, the Holy Spirit will be limited in a life of overfamiliarity with God. The functions will not be in an effective manner. In this case, the person will think God is working in them and He is also with them but that's not the case.

HOW TO AVOID OVERFAMILIARITY WITH GOD

source

• Have your heart and mind yearn for the word of God daily. Desire it. Let there be a constant renewal of our minds with God's word. Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

• Seek after God always and make Him priority over your life. Jeremiah 29:13

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

• Spend time with God in the place of prayer. This should be done continually. Psalms 116:2

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

And 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

• Do not forget the gathering of the brethren so that you'll learn, be groomed and grow. Go to the house of God with an open heart to receive.

• Hate and run away from sin & iniquity. Psalms 97:10

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Therefore, I admonish us all to turn away from every form of overfamiliarity so that the greatness, mercies and forgiving power of God will be valued.

THANKS YOU FOR READING