Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- May 25, 2012
“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.” Proverbs 7:24
Pay attention. There are some people who want to help you, but some want to hurt you. Pay special attention to those who seem to say the right things, but have a hidden agenda in their heart. Not everyone can be trusted; not everyone is trustworthy. The sooner you discern a man or woman’s motive, the quicker you will know how to manage your time.
If conversation is all about them, watch out for poor behavior. Pay attention to the path people want you to take, so that you can protect your reputation. Moreover, you have limited emotional capacity and mind share, so make sure the Lord is leading you to get involved. Even good people and compelling causes can lead you astray. Pay attention, learn to say ‘no’, so you can say ‘yes’ to God’s best.
“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37, NKJV
I struggle with saying ‘no’ because I want to please people. However, pleasing people is not the best motivation. Faith in my Heavenly Father is a much nobler goal. Learning to say ‘no’ is how we gain peace and contentment over the long haul. When you say ‘no’ to someone or something, you can trust your Savior Jesus to take care of the need, and to take care of you. Your ‘no’ opens the door for someone else to be blessed by their ‘yes’.
In some cases saying ‘no’ requires more faith than saying ‘yes’. Therefore, pay attention and be prayerful before you commit your time and resources. Certainly, as you encounter temptation, do not entertain the slightest hint of ‘yes’. It is better to say ‘no’ to his or her advances and lose a friendship, than to say ‘yes’, losing your good name and gaining regret. Pay attention and say ‘no’ to earthly impulses, so you can say ‘yes’ to heaven’s best.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
Prayer: What area of my life do I need to pay more attention to, saying ‘no’ more often?
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 20:15; Psalm 34:11; Mark 7:14; 1 Corinthians 4:14-15
Post/Tweet this today: Say ‘no’ to earthly impulses, so you can say ‘yes’ to heaven’s best. #temptation #faith
Wisdomhunters.com is dedicated to Applying Unchanging Truth to a Changing World.
Comments are closed.
amen and amen
jesus didnt teach use to turn peopl away he told use to help everyone no matter
Thank you Boyd so very much for these wonderful emails and all that
you send me. You are truley allowing God to use you to speak to me.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
Rose
This is for you……….yes, YOU. You know who you are!