Recently, while temporarily child-rearing (aka babysitting), I heard a young man of about six say these words to his sister, “You’re a big fat goon!!!” And upon my maternal head spin yelped, “just kidding, um, er, its opposite day!” Those words flashed back in my mind like it was yesterday. Me and my sisters would muster up the most superfluous insults and hurl them, then just after the sting would mutter something similar to the young man of six up the page. This story may lend itself to a little over-analogizing but the point I really want to make is much more serious and life-impacting.
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” -James 3:9-12
This subject has been brought to my attention by the Holy Spirit and non-believers many times over the past weeks so I figured it shouldn’t go untold. In one situation a few non-believers told me of churches (yes, Christ’s body & representation on earth) whose leaders had mislead congregations and blatantly sinned in numerous ways. (This could be a rabbit-trail / blog all in itself but yes, I certainly understand that Christian leaders especially are under attack and face more severe testing due to their calling. But in the very same way, I subscribe to the idea that if there is more “testing” there better be more “passing” and leading by good deeds so that these men may glorify your Father in Heaven.)
Anyway, all this is to say, are you really intentionally following Christ or has sin just not yet knocked? Is it easy for you to talk and walk as long as you’re not presented with a different path?? How will you respond when you are tested? Are you setting up your life in a way that is safe-guarded against sin and its harmful effects or do you deny that they could ever get ahold of you?? Just a couple of questions for you to ponder…holla back.
