Read
12Worthless liars go around
13 winking and giving signals
to deceive others.
14They are always thinking up
something cruel and evil,
and they stir up trouble.
15But they will be struck
by sudden disaster
and left without a hope.
Reflect
No one likes to be deceived. Deceivers come in all forms; to your front door, in your mailbox, computer. . . and sometimes at the end of your pew. I have been scammed on at least one occasion that I will admit to. My weakness – I am too nice.
Jesus calls us to love all people, doesn’t He?
It is said, “compassion is a poor leader.” It was because I allowed compassion to lead me that I fell victim to evil peoples’ schemes. We need to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is hard to believe how far some people have fallen. I always wonder how they sleep at night.
Sadly, the problem of people who stir up conflict is alive and well in the church. They can dress in nice suits or dresses. Yet their spoken words drip with poison; coming out the side of the mouth, even couched in Christian language, with one purpose – to divide. It can be subtle but none the less deadly. It has one path, without repentance, and that is destruction.
We have two challenges. One is to take heed! If you fit this description, beware! The path before you has one direction if you do not turn. Secondly, be wise! Not everyone is pure hearted. You can be kind and wise at the same time.
The call that Christ gives to us is to be “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew10:16 NIV) Here we find Christ sending out His disciples, He does not say “be sure to always show kindness and mercy.” Rather, He sends them out with a warning. We need to be shrewd and innocent. We are always called to love as Christ loved but be led by His Spirit while practicing discernment.
Respond
Dear Father, you are the one who calls us and equips us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit. As I navigate this path you have called me to, may I be discerning in my interactions with people. Deliver me from evil. Walk with me today. Amen.
Donna Dyck
Donna and her husband Bill are parents of 4 adult children and have 9 grandchildren. They have been pastoring at Toronto Alliance church for 28 years. Donna has written 2 books, Confessions of a Not So Average Girl and Confessions of an Unlikely Pastors wife. She has spoken at many conferences, seminars, and events over the years. She and her husband have just written a Devotional called Hope for an Unwanted Journey which will be published soon and is for parents, especially those who are walking through the valley of addiction or mental illness with their loved ones.