Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. ~Proverbs 25:19
Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hands of a fool. Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for that person. ~Proverbs 26:6-12
Do not give dogs what is sacred. Do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. ~Matthew 7:6
Well, this is good timing. Kathy has been dealing with a tooth ache for the past few days and learned yesterday that she needs a root canal. She knows from personal experience that a bad tooth cannot be trusted. The basic message here is use caution in choosing with whom you will share your message. Do not place your trust in everyone for not everyone can be trusted.
But what message do you have that you should be careful about? I don’t believe here that we are talking about the gospel itself. The gospel needs to be spread far and wide and since God is responsible for the results, our job is to be willing to scatter the seed so that it has a chance to grow in whatever heart it lands in. Today we are thinking more about messages that require reliability in the messenger.
For example, is there a problem for which you need advice? Be careful in deciding with whom to share. They may prove to be a gossip rather than a friend and end up causing more damage than help. It could be a message that you need to convey. You need to discern if the other person can be relied upon to get the message through.
Perhaps the question for us is, can we be relied upon with the messages that we are given, including the gospel? Do we let ourselves get distracted? Are we the weak link in a chain of command? It is important to be concerned about others, but more important for us is not to be the bad tooth, or lame foot. We need to be trustworthy with what we are given. Handle it well.
If it is a precious pearl, give it the respect it deserves. If it is a word of wisdom, be wise in how and to whom you share it. Once a message is under your control, you are responsible to know where it goes next, if anywhere at all. Be the trustworthy friend, confidant, teacher, and guide that puts Christ on display for the good. Always remember that your words and actions reflect on Him.
Prayer: Father, it is so easy to be foolish and or careless with the concerns of others. Help me to be wise, so I can be careful who I trust, but even more so I can be trusted to care for others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: I Want to Live Like That
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