40 Days of Truth - 14
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of TRUTH
Day 14 | THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
40 Days of TRUTH
Day 14 | THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Romans 12:9
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
Although our world today seems out of control, it’s not the first time. Throughout the history of mankind there have been days – like ours – which have had their share of “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
God – who knows all and loves us – is quick to help us know what to do in any situation. He doesn’t always offer to explain everything to our satisfaction, but He lets us know what we need to know.
Romans 12:9 from the Amplified says: “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.”
One of the BIG things that I believe God offers us – as His children – is discernment. Being able to tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Between godly behavior and ungodliness. Between righteous behavior and wickedness. Without God’s “plumb line” – His Word – we would not be able to tell which was which.
In order to maintain the purity of the Gospel, the church must be able to distinguish truth from falsehood; God’s way and plan from that of the Enemy.
One of my “go-to” verses in this regard, to which I refer often, is John 10:10. Jesus is speaking and He says, “The thief comes but to kill, to steal and to destroy. But I have come that you might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.”
So when I look around and ponder this verse, I can more easily discern the SOURCE of what’s going on. That is discernment.
A discerning person will acknowledge the worth of God’s Word: “All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge” (Proverbs 8:8-9).
Seeking discernment is a goal for all who desire to walk righteously: “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them” (Hosea 14:9).
If I want to be truly discerning, I will let God’s Word be the FINAL AUTHORITY in my life as to what is right, wrong, good, bad, or ugly. It’s not up for debate. It’s not up for a vote on the “Political Correctness” scale. The Final Authority is – at the end of the day – God’s Word. And lest you think that perhaps the Lord has led you to see or believe differently than His Word… he won’t. The Spirit of God and the Word of God will ALWAYS agree.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be discerning. We live in challenging and confusing times and it’s hard to know right from wrong and what to do next. Lord, thank You for offering to guide me in all of this. I understand that it starts with LOVING YOU and LOVING OTHERS and detesting all ungodliness and wickedness. Help me to hold on tightly to YOU. Amen.
Romans 12:9
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
Although our world today seems out of control, it’s not the first time. Throughout the history of mankind there have been days – like ours – which have had their share of “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
God – who knows all and loves us – is quick to help us know what to do in any situation. He doesn’t always offer to explain everything to our satisfaction, but He lets us know what we need to know.
Romans 12:9 from the Amplified says: “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.”
One of the BIG things that I believe God offers us – as His children – is discernment. Being able to tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Between godly behavior and ungodliness. Between righteous behavior and wickedness. Without God’s “plumb line” – His Word – we would not be able to tell which was which.
In order to maintain the purity of the Gospel, the church must be able to distinguish truth from falsehood; God’s way and plan from that of the Enemy.
One of my “go-to” verses in this regard, to which I refer often, is John 10:10. Jesus is speaking and He says, “The thief comes but to kill, to steal and to destroy. But I have come that you might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.”
So when I look around and ponder this verse, I can more easily discern the SOURCE of what’s going on. That is discernment.
A discerning person will acknowledge the worth of God’s Word: “All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge” (Proverbs 8:8-9).
Seeking discernment is a goal for all who desire to walk righteously: “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them” (Hosea 14:9).
If I want to be truly discerning, I will let God’s Word be the FINAL AUTHORITY in my life as to what is right, wrong, good, bad, or ugly. It’s not up for debate. It’s not up for a vote on the “Political Correctness” scale. The Final Authority is – at the end of the day – God’s Word. And lest you think that perhaps the Lord has led you to see or believe differently than His Word… he won’t. The Spirit of God and the Word of God will ALWAYS agree.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be discerning. We live in challenging and confusing times and it’s hard to know right from wrong and what to do next. Lord, thank You for offering to guide me in all of this. I understand that it starts with LOVING YOU and LOVING OTHERS and detesting all ungodliness and wickedness. Help me to hold on tightly to YOU. Amen.
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