Avondale Church of God Winter Revival,
January 17, 2025
Speaker: Brother Dwayne Platt
On the third evening of the Avondale Church of God Winter Revival, Brother Dwayne Platt delivered a powerful and urgent message warning against the spiritual dangers of losing clarity in one’s walk with God. Using Proverbs 29:18—“Where there is no vision, the people perish”—he expounded on the necessity of maintaining clear spiritual vision amidst the distractions, doubts, and deceptions of the enemy.
Throughout his sermon, Brother Platt drew upon various biblical accounts, illustrating how the devil seeks to obscure the way of truth. The message was both a call to vigilance and a reminder that the goal is heaven, and anything that clouds that vision is a threat to the soul.
The Importance of Spiritual Vision
Brother Platt began by emphasizing that vision in Proverbs 29:18 refers not just to leadership but to individual spiritual clarity. “We often think about this in the sense of pastoral leadership, but this verse is personal,” he stated. “When fathers, mothers, young people, or even seasoned saints lose their vision, the consequences are devastating.”
Using a vivid illustration, Brother Platt described a past sermon where he had employed a fog machine to represent how the enemy creates spiritual haze to distort clear decision-making. Though unable to use the demonstration that evening, he urged the congregation to imagine how easily sin, doubt, and distractions can cloud one’s spiritual sight. “The devil specializes in making clear decisions seem unclear,” he warned.
Elijah and the Haze of Unbelief
Turning to 1 Kings 18:21, Brother Platt recounted the prophet Elijah’s confrontation with the Israelites: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him.” The people had witnessed God’s power in the past, yet they hesitated in fully committing to Him.
“This decision should have been obvious,” Platt said. “Did Baal part the Red Sea? Did Baal deliver them from their enemies? No! And yet, because of their own unbelief, they faltered at the crossroads.” He likened this to individuals today who waver between obedience and the world, allowing the enemy to cloud what should be a straightforward decision to serve God.
“The way to salvation should be clear,” he emphasized, “but when you allow doubts and compromise in your heart, the haze sets in.”
Lot and the Haze of Worldliness
From Genesis 13, Brother Platt spoke of Lot’s fateful choice to pitch his tent toward Sodom. “Lot didn’t move straight into Sodom—he got closer and closer until he was fully entangled,” he said.
“Many today follow the same pattern,” he warned. “They flirt with worldliness—watching things they shouldn’t, listening to what they shouldn’t, forming close friendships with the ungodly—until one day, they find themselves completely immersed in it.”
He cautioned the congregation against allowing small compromises, whether in dress, music, or priorities, as they often lead to full entanglement with the world. “Don’t let your spiritual tent get closer to Sodom!” he urged. “Stay away from the things that weaken your stand with God!”
Saul and the Haze of Pride
Brother Platt then turned to 1 Samuel 15, where King Saul lost his spiritual clarity due to pride and self-will. “Saul started out humble, but over time, he began to trust in himself more than in God’s guidance,” he noted.
He warned that pride is one of the biggest obstacles to keeping clear vision. “Some people think they don’t need correction,” he said. “They resist preaching, they bristle when the pastor counsels them, and they refuse to acknowledge when God is speaking to their heart.”
“When you stop listening to truth, your spiritual vision starts to dim,” he continued. “You start making excuses, justifying your actions, and before long, you can’t see the cross clearly anymore.”
Distractions: Losing Sight of Heaven
In a direct challenge to modern distractions, Brother Platt warned against entertainment, social media, and material pursuits that pull the heart away from God.
“We live in a time of unprecedented distractions,” he said. “People waste hours scrolling on their phones, engaging in vain entertainment, and chasing worldly ambitions, while their spiritual life is starving.”
He urged the congregation to evaluate their priorities:
• Are you spending more time online than in prayer?
• Do you know the latest social media trends better than you know your Bible?
• Are you letting entertainment steal time that should belong to God?
“If something is dulling your passion for God, cut it out of your life!” he exhorted. “If you spend all your time on earthly things, don’t be surprised when you find yourself spiritually weak!”
Asking for the Old Paths
Concluding with Jeremiah 6:16, Brother Platt called for a return to the old paths of holiness, faithfulness, and complete surrender to God. “The way to heaven hasn’t changed,” he declared. “The standards of righteousness remain the same. If we want the same blessings, we must walk the same path!”
He warned against resisting correction or developing a casual approach to truth. “The Church of God is a place of conviction,” he said. “If you resist it, if you dismiss preaching as ‘just an opinion,’ you’ll lose sight of the goal.”
“The old paths are not outdated,” he continued. “They are proven, tested, and true. They lead to eternal life. But you must have a heart that desires them!”
Exhortation: Are You Seeing Clearly?
After the message, Brother Ward stood and gave a solemn exhortation, urging the congregation to examine their spiritual vision.
“If there’s haze in your heart tonight,” he said, “whether from pride, worldliness, distractions, or offenses, clear it up! The altar is open—don’t leave here with blurred vision!”
He encouraged the saints to renew their commitment to living faithfully, warning that neglect leads to blindness. “If you’re not careful, one day you’ll wake up and realize you can’t see the way anymore,” he cautioned. “God is speaking—don’t ignore Him!”
Reflection Questions for Personal Application
1. Have you allowed spiritual haze to cloud your vision?
2. Are there compromises in your life that have drawn you closer to the world?
3. Are pride and self-will keeping you from fully surrendering to God?
4. Have distractions lessened your hunger for spiritual things?
5. Are you actively seeking the old paths and desiring God’s full will for your life?
Scriptures for Further Study
Proverbs 29:18 – The importance of spiritual vision
1 Kings 18:21 – Elijah’s challenge to Israel
Genesis 13:10-13 – Lot’s choice to live near Sodom
1 Samuel 15:17-23 – Saul’s downfall due to pride
Jeremiah 6:16 – Asking for the old paths
Conclusion
Brother Platt’s sermon was a sobering call to maintain clear spiritual vision. The enemy constantly works to obscure the path, but those who remain humble, prayerful, and dedicated will see their way to heaven clearly.
As the revival continues, the call remains the same: stay watchful, stay pure, and keep your eyes on Jesus!
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