Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- May 18, 2012
“She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: ‘I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.” Proverbs 7:13-14
Unfortunately, there are those who use religion to get their way. It may be a single adult who preys on another unsuspecting single adult in a church. They attend church to take advantage of trusting souls. Some businessmen use the art of Christian conversation to give the appearance of values and principles based on the Bible. However, once they make the sale or close the deal, their self-serving and dishonest ways reveal them.
One of the worst types of deception is spiritual deception, using God to get our way. In marriage it may be the husband who uses submission to control his wife, or a wife who uses grace to withhold from her husband. Therefore, warn those who, like Simon in the early church, try to buy the Holy Spirit for their benefit. Cultivate authentic spirituality in your heart and mind through prayer, worship, and community.
“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” Colossians 2:23
True spirituality on the other hand is motivated and controlled by the Spirit of Christ. In this case there is authenticity because Almighty God is the initiator. True spirituality is not just looking out for itself, but is sincerely concerned with serving others. You are comfortable with them, because you know they care for you. Integrity rises in all their business and religious activities.
Their yes is their yes, and their no is their no. There are no surprises. What you see is what you get. True spirituality comes over time, forged on the anvil of adversity, taught at the hearth of humility, and received at the gate of God’s grace. You know your religion is real when you love others above your own needs and you care for the poor and needy. True spirituality leads others to love God and obey His commands.
“This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27, NASB
Prayer: Who do I need to confront in love about using their ‘Christianity’ to take advantage of others?
Related Readings: Ecclesiastes 7:4; Matthew 25:36; Acts 8:19-20; 2 Corinthians 1:17
Post/Tweet this today: Real religion loves others above its own needs. #religion #unselfish
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Amen I don’t need someone to tell what is false I walk. My life in faith with belief in Jesus Christ I do love others I always have I do exactly what Lord tell me to do. Someone always tells me I not believer love conquers all with God’s amazing love!!!!!God’s blessings!
Amem!!
I really enjoyed this morning’s devotion and found it very convicting. However, I think a more suitable prayer would be to ask:
“How am I (or Am I) using Christianity to take advantage of others?” As it says in Luke, remove the plank from your own eye before pointing out the speck in another’s.
Wonderful Insight..Thank you..The Real Question..In the Quest is That of Ethic and Moral Guidance While Seeking..I Once Asked A Certain Man A Question..The Answer Was More Reactionary..Was Hilter A Good Leader?..Remarkably..The Forged Efforts Of Revenge After The Carnage Made No Effect Toward The Repeated Behaviours Of Offenses Against The Jews..The Saddness Is Overwhelming..How Many Do Not Recognize Ethics or Morals Before They Consider Their Own Leading.
I am personally struck by today’s devotion because I wonder if I have been deceiving myself by not being sincere and authentic in serving others. I didn’t trust them that they’d truly care for me because I had my own agenda. I might have created confusion and distrust in the people. God, forgive me.