FEBRUARY 28, 2011
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Previous Devotionals
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YOU ARE BEING WATCHED
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)
Christian men are being watched, and we are being watched closely. We are being watched by our brothers and sisters in Christ, by our family, by our friends, by new believers and non-believers alike. We are being watched by God and the enemy as well.
Now our families and fellow believers, although watching us, are only doing so, for the most part, sub-consciously. If we err, they will more than likely, lovingly rebuke us and give us correction. We accept this and move on.
What about the others watching us though? We know that God is always watching, but He is observing as a loving Father. He knows we will stumble from time to time. Sometimes He will let us falter in order to teach us, other times He will speak to us before we err. It is funny though, that sometimes when we sin, we do it under His watchful eye, but we act as if He isn’t there. Jer. 23:24 asks, “Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?” However, if we do sin, God is ready to convict us, and then forgive us if we repent.
The enemy is also watching us. He has a different motive however. He is waiting to catch us so he can immediately throw the sin right back in our faces. He wants us to feel guilt and shame. He will condemn us. He wants to taunt us with the same sin he has probably tempted us with. Don’t hold onto the guilt and shame. Simply repent and ask your Father to forgive you and believe He has. Learn and then move on.
What about the others though? What about the new believers? We are to conduct ourselves as godly men at all times, but we must take particular care around new believers. Just as our children learn from what we do rather than what we say, so do new believers. They are not waiting for us to trip up, but rather to set the example for them. As we read in Mark 9:42, Christ is very clear on the consequences of causing a new believer to stumble.
This faith that the new believer has adopted is a new world to them. They often feel lost, and are looking for guidance. We are called by God as His men to be the ones to guide and mentor the new members of His family. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim.4:12) If we are not careful with our conduct, we can cause a lot of hurt, and the real problem is this will cause them to turn against God. Do you want to be the man that does this?
So, we are called to be men of integrity and honour. We have to live a godly righteous life in all we do. Do not be a man that says, ‘do as I say, not as I do.’ Very little of what you say has any bearing when your actions reflect the opposite.
Verse to meditate on: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23) |
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