Thursday 8 Nov 2012

Thursday Reading: Proverbs 16:27-28

Key Verse: Proverbs 16:27
27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Devotion:
Depending on which bible translation you read, this verse will hint at all manner of sayings or proverbs; but no matter where you read you will get the hint that ungodly people will cause strife and that they are apt to gossiping. But if we are honest and open about our own lives as Christians then we will have to admit that we do get caught up in strife and even in gossip because we are not without sin. No matter how strong we may like to think we are, the evil one will go as far as he can to try and trip us up in this area just so that we will think of the bad ways and the evil things.

Last week was Halloween and despite our best intentions as Christians we get caught up in things, whether it is just answering the door to the children that come round or even going out and joining in. There will be Christians that say it is nothing but harmless fun because it is not based on bad intentions but on All Hallows Evening. It is not the absolute law that we should be looking at here because that would make us the same as the Pharisees – upholding the law instead of God’s will.

We should rather look at things from other people’s eyes and ears – if what we are going to be doing is going to suggest to others that we are getting mixed up in wrong things or evil things, then we should not be going there to start with. Quite simple when you look at it from that stand point, but also difficult to stick to when everyone else you know is getting out there and ‘enjoying’ themselves.

Our lots is not to make sure that we uphold the law in spite of other people but rather to encourage others to seek out the same goal as Christ would be seeking out. And the best way of doing that is going to be by seeking those goals out for ourselves so that we can be a better example to others.

We will find all manner of temptations and things being thrown at us as we try to pick out way through life; our goal then becomes similar to a navigator where we are used to navigate through perilous waters to keep ourselves as well as others as safe as we can. That will begin to show them a bit more of Christ’s love as we try to navigate close to Him every step of the way.

Points to Ponder:
Are you good at navigating?

Are you watching God’s map?