“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” - Ephesians 4:29 (NIV).
A common situation that faces many motorist on the highways is being pulled over by law enforcement officers, for what could be a minor offense. Of course there is always the urge to resist and assert ones rights. Usually when one takes such a course of resistance there is a certain reaction with the officer countering and even possibly doubling one’s offense. Perhaps he may even threaten to haul the offender to police headquarters, which is really not good news.
For that treason over time I have learnt that even where I am stopped and feel I have committed no offense, the best defense is humility. I must greet the officer gently and for whatever charge leveled against me, be fast and quick to admit my fault, where it has been. Now by being quick to apologize I have found most officers quick to forgive and would normally let me pass with a slight warning.
So, shouldn’t humility be a good way to conduct most of our personal relationships? Instead of heating up to justify ourselves, a quick apology could easily tame the rising tide of anger in many situations. I have often heard that a key to a successful marriage is always being fast to say sorry. Yet so often we prefer launching a counter only to make matters worse and even lose our stand. Let’s practice humility.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that I always have a good control of my tongue as a witness of faith in you!
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18/04/2024 - 19/04/2024 All day“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-7).
Once a certain gentleman saw a small mount of soil rising in one of his sparsely used bed rooms in his country house. He went back to the city unbothered. Upon his return he was shocked to find that what was once a small soil mount had grown into a huge anthill almost blocking the entrance. How did it get this big!” he whistled with disbelief.
Anyone who has leveled anthills knows that you need to dig up one down to the very bottom and seize the queen ant. So, in this case, it meant he had to excavate to the very foundations of the house. It was a costly venture involving destroying much of the original infrastructure.
So, what had begun as a small foothold in his house almost caused the gentleman to lose his entire beautiful country house. After all was done, he regretted why he had not attacked that small mount of soil the day he had spotted it but then ignored. He would have saved himself all this huge cost.
When the Bible cautions us, “and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27), it is not speaking of some big and overwhelming sin that is gripping a believer. Just as with that soil mount a foothold starts as a small poisonous seed dropped into one’s life appearing harmless at the start. But ignored it gradually grows into one huge tree with deep roots that to uproot it a life may go with it altogether.
For Believers there are all kinds of footholds. It could be unwholesome little talk spaced with curses. Sometimes it is occasional dabbling into harmful alcoholic beverages or dangerous drugs. There could be that small habit of helping oneself with company funds against policy. There is also that seemingly innocent peep into porn sites, after all, no harm!
Ignored, the once small foothold gradually extends into one huge and terrifying mountain, not that easy to level as it now completely controls its victim. To level it down would come at such a stiff price. For this reason, do not take lightly any temptations that come your way. The moment you give the devil an inch you are in for a long ride!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I pray to guard myself against any foothold the devil might trap me with, to live a victorious life in Christ, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
