Wednesday, May 31st
Devotional written by Elaina White, Director of Early Childhood
TURN AWAY FROM SIN
To read today: Proverbs 6:16-19
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Colossians 3:8-10
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Sometimes frustration, jealousy, anger, and exhaustion can get the best of us. I know for me when I am exhausted, I have a much shorter fuse. When this happens, I can sometimes take my feelings out on others. Sadly, those people tend to be my family. Why do the people we love most sometimes get the worst of us?
In the key verse above, Paul is instructing the Colossians to eliminate negative behaviors and attitudes that are not in line with the values and principles of Christians. He is specific about the negative behaviors to avoid. Paul stresses the importance of being truthful in relationships and not lying to each other. As Christians, we have a transformed life shaped by the values God has given us. God wants us to be characterized by truthfulness and love and reflect Him in all we do.
God is calling us to act better, speak to others better and simply be better. Let’s take on the challenge to be more like Christ and live and love as He does.
Reflection: God, help me to be better today. Help me to hold my tongue when I should and to love others the way you would. Lord, guide me to be a stronger Christian today than I was yesterday. Thank you, God, for the guidance you give me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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