Note: The scripture has a link that will take you to an online, King James bible
if you would like to read the whole chapter.
Observation: Ouch. Whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil... That is a pretty amazing, and condemning thought. Anything we say more than Yes or No comes from evil... If some one asks you do do something and you tell them no - as soon as you begin to give a reason, you open the door to exaggeration, lying, and deceit. When you tell someone Yes, anything more and you again open that door... Our words should be simple, honest and trustworthy. When we say something, we should not have to justify our thoughts, actions or words to another, and they should know that we are trustworthy enough not to question us. But this means that we must first examine our own answers and make sure that we are confidant that we are making the right choice (eliminating the need for justification) and more than that, it means we must prove ourselves trustworthy in action, attitude, thought and deed. (And that is a tall order.)
Application: Amazing thoughts in this one tiny scripture. I have a habit of quoting the first part of the scripture in jesting to my husband when I think he is not being fully honest, but looking at the whole verse, I realize there is a very large statement made about the way we live. For me especially... I habitually justify everything I say and do, whether out loud or only to the Lord. I use it as a means to examine a choice I have already made... but I realize, I am doing it backwards. I need to examine those choices in the light of God's word before the choice is made, not after. And honestly, this is something that I have gotten better at over time. But there there is that next part... the part about making excuses for the choices I make, whether the excuses are valid or not, really doesn't matter. It opens the door to evil ( good bible word...) in that it may make it appear that I am lying or otherwise deceiving. I need to live my life in such as way that there would be no question about the honesty of my words. I don't want to be one of the people that you say "we'll see" about. I want my word to be valued, trusted and faithful... and not my word only, but every other aspect of my life as well. When people see my tears, I want there to be no doubt that they are real. When people see my joy, I want there to be no doubt that it is real (especially my joy - tears are a lot easier to believe than someone who is joyful in spite of the negative situations in life.) When people hear the testimony of what God has done in my life, I want them to think... she never lied about anything else... this MUST be true. I want to be known for honesty in word, action and spirit... Just as Jesus was... I want to be more like my Saviour.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You know I try to always be honest, and You know those times when I have put up a front, and I thank You Lord, because I know I am forgiven. Lord, please help me to take this verse and apply it to my life. Help me to be more like You with each passing moment. And Lord, please help me to simply say yes or no without feeling the need to offer a reason. Lord, I pray that this scripture is a blessing to others that may read this as it has been to me, and again, Lord, thank You for all You have done and are continuing to do in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.
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