Scripture
John 10:1-5
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
James 1:13-15
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Observation
Jesus is giving some analogies to shepherding, who comes in the front gate, who is climbing over the fence, and who's voice the sheep follow. Sheep as you may know are wandering animals, and need a shepherd to lead them, and to call them. But Jesus says this about sheep,(which is you and I) that we will not follow a stranger, but in fact run from him because we do not recognize the stranger voice.
Application
Who's voice am I letting speak to me? James says that we are tempted by my own desire, then I am enticed and and the temptation conceives, then it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it brings me death. So reflecting on my post from a few days ago, Jesus tells me that Satan is a liar, the father of lies. So am I going to listen to the voice of lies, or to my shepherd? The voice of lies may "seem more sexy" when you first hear it and start to think about it, but in the end brings me death. As everyone tells you, we have to be a good listener, and even more I have to be a more careful listener, so I listen to my shepherd and not the liar.
Prayer
Father,
There are two voices in this world; yours and a liars. I ask that you would help me to have my hearing aids on full power, so I clearly hear your voice. I know the liar will speak to me, but I ask that my ears are dead to that voice and will be unable to listen to it. Amen.
3 comments:
Warren, Thanks for sharing! Not only are lies "sexier", but they are also easier to accomplish - or, so it would seem - if it weren't for that "death" part you mention. When we look at the Truth versus a lie, often it is a little more difficult - or, not quite so pleasant or comfortable for the selfish part of "me" that needs to follow through. In other words, death plays a part in both decision paths - I can either "die" to my selfish ways and live with God for Eternity. Or, I can live for the short time here on Earth, and "die" separated from God for Eternity. The choice is mine, and mine alone.
Rod, your comments about which part of my life is going to "die" is a wonderful comment; and it is truly my choice, and I will receive the "fruits" of that choice as well. It is not a matter of God being a hater and "doing bad things to people", no i chose the "this" and "that" is what it produces....ultimately life or death.
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