When we look at images on television, in movies, on billboards, in
social media posts and each others' facial expressions and
gestures/behaviors, we either take in or deliver light or darkness. For
all those are means of communicating light or darkness. So, dearly
beloved guard your eyes not from the light but from the darkness.
And so, dear ones, don't be the person who delivers darkness. Believe me, it happens easily and is communicated in
many ways. One can bring darkness without breaking a major commandment.
How? It shows up most in pride of life.
We show ourselves as being somehow better or better off. It is our own
pride that delivers darkness to others: a fancy hairstyle, expensive
make up, a revealing dress, a designer handbag, and including pride in
ones' job, big house, nice car, successful children.... that pride is
pride of the flesh and exhibiting such pride can bring darkness into our
lives and others lives who don't have that hairstyle, expensive make
up, dress, handbag, job, house, car, children... We deliver either light
or darkness to others in our behavior toward others. Is your handshake
like milk toast, your hug just a sense of duty or for political
correctness?
Do you make others feel awkward or disgusted by your
vulgar verbal and or body language, even including bad table manners... adults and kids who get up and go to their room while others still eat, taking a
phone call at the table, or belching and laughing about it? Do we make
others feel bad when we post photos of the success in our lives or
children's lives, or pics of our recent vacation showing our lust for
life in a fallen world and its short lived pleasures? Do you criticize
other drivers who cut in front of you and then give them the finger? Do
you slander others who appear to be better off than you? Are you constantly boasting about who did/does something for you and or are you constantly criticizing someone for what you think they did/do against you? And, yet you/we cry
out that hate should be overcome by love... where is the love when we
are delivering darkness?
Accept Christ into your life today and be delivered
from darkness and partake in delivering His light!
Forgive others and love them as Christ loves them!" For this is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of
the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child,
nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister" 1 John 3:10.
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
ReplyDelete7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers~1 Peter 1-7.