What was he thinking?

A local police officer visited the gravesite of an old friend. At 2 am, he fired his weapon four times into the ground. When questioned he said the shots were a ‘celebration.’ It’s one of those things that leaves you wondering what he was thinking. 

A woman told me about the failure of her marriage after 30 years. Her husband, who had been a great father and seemingly devoted spouse, quit his job and left the family. He started living like a teenager again. What is he thinking? 

20/20 (ABC News) reported last week about a 40 year-old mother and wife in small town America who became wrapped up emotionally with a 14 year boy, sending explicit text messages and engaging in inappropriate intimacy. Now she’s a convicted sex offender, disgraced in the eyes of the town she once served as mayor! What was she thinking?

Just the smallest amount of compromise or dishonesty can lead a person into situations that are incredibly stupid. How easily we are ‘wrapped up’ in a web of lies, confused by moral relativity, or duped by seduction if we listen for but a moment to the lies of Self or Satan. The story of Eve’s deception in the Garden is a powerful lesson. Genesis 3 tells us that the serpent came with words that offered wisdom, slyly accusing the Lord of withholding a blessing from Eve by His demand that she and Adam not eat from the ‘tree at the center of the Garden.’  She listened and was deceived!

Proverbs offers this sound counsel: "Don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace." (Proverbs 3:21-22, NLT) Disciple, the Holy Spirit lives in us and His counsel is always ours. He will keep us from deception unless we make ourselves blind and deaf by disobedience. It is much more difficult to try to escape the maze of confusion than it is to not enter it in the first place! Don’t let it be asked of you: “What was he thinking?” Reject temptation at its first appearance. Stay connected with friends who are willing to ‘speak the truth in love’ into your life when you need it.  Most importantly, be responsive to the Spirit of God.

Here’s a word from the Word. It is both cautionary and a comforting promise for those who would serve Christ faithfully all their days.

"God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:12-16, The Message)

____________________

Open our eyes, Lord,

We want to see Jesus,

To reach out and touch Him,

And say that we love Him.

Open our ears, Lord,

And help us to listen.

Open our eyes, Lord,

We want to see Jesus.

Open Our Eyes

Cull, Bob

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