As I look around at our world and all the evil that is so boldy being proclaimed; both verbally and in action, these verses have been coming to mind a lot.
Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
James 1:14-15 “But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
We as believers so often excuse sin; whether because we are afraid of conflict or think “but they are happy” we shy away from speaking truth. Yet, we are commanded to speak the truth in love so that the whole body can work together in unity...as we were designed (see the rest of Ephesians 4 for a reference). Yes, it may be hard to speak the truth to our friend when we see them making sinful choices; especially if they seem happy on the path they have chosen. But the Bible says there will only be true joy and life when we are faithfully following God. Proverbs 16:20 says “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” This is just one example. If you Google Bible verses on happiness you will find that ALL of them point to true joy only being found in following God’s Word and living for Him. As James 1 says; sin will ALWAYS lead to death.
The world tells us to “follow your heart” but Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” and 1 John 3:20 says the way to overcome our deceitful hearts is to trust the One who is greater “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” I get it, it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions; to think that the world is right...because it “feels” right..and you know what? God knows too! He knows everything! We can often logically explain the sin; why it “makes sense” but here’s the thing...WE ARE NOT GOD! Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 46:9b-10 also reminds us that God knows the end from the beginning “for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” We DO NOT understand, we DO NOT see...but God does...He knows the end of that path; so if He has declared something sin than we need to trust that whether or not we understand His reasons and no matter how we may feel, we MUST follow God’s way. Society says that our emotions determine truth but God says HE is the ONLY One who can be trusted for what is true. He is not a hard taskmaster but a loving Father Who wants the best for us ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11 and when we delight in Him..when our hearts are tuned to His will he promises changed hearts… and desires that He can and will grant “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This is not an issue to take lightly or pridefully but to humbly pray and seek God; asking Him to search your own heart for any wickedness “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24) but it is also not an issue we should neglect 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 reminds us that we are one body interdependent “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” So, as we seek unity may we be bold to encourage each other but also to admonish each other, IN LOVE, to faithfully serve God and not excuse sin.
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