Imagine this
scenario with me:
I went to church on Sunday and was approached by one of the medical personnel that are a part of my church family. They approached me and said: "Hey, Matt, I've noticed that you have a little bump on your neck. It may be nothing at all but then again it could be serious given the location. You really need to get it checked out first thing tomorrow."
How do you think I would respond?
"Hey, doc, it's none of your business! In fact, they call people like you hypocrites - you're in poor health and yet you're pointing out health problems in other people. Besides, what makes you think I even wanted to hear your opinion!?"
Of course not! My reply would be VERY different:
"Oh, thank you so much for pointing that out. I hadn't noticed it but I'll get it checked out first thing tomorrow. Thank you so much for caring enough about me to point it out.
Easily 99% of us would respond that way. Why? That's an easy answer - because we want to be physically healthy. We don't want to experience pain and suffering so we'll take medical advice anytime we can get it.
Yet, too often, we act very differently when God's Word or some fellow believer points out some area of concern in our spiritual lives. We bristle. We get defensive. We get angry.
Why? The only possible answer is that while we value physical health, far too often we do not value spiritual health.
The Word of God is for our healing. It points out areas of concern that will lead us down the wrong road and prescribes a remedy.
If we value spiritual health, we must pay careful attention as the light of God's Word shines onto the sinful areas of our mind and heart. We must make the necessary changes if we are to experience the benefits and joys of spiritual health.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (New Living Translation)
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable."
Hebrews 3:13 (New Living Translation)
"You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today,' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."
I went to church on Sunday and was approached by one of the medical personnel that are a part of my church family. They approached me and said: "Hey, Matt, I've noticed that you have a little bump on your neck. It may be nothing at all but then again it could be serious given the location. You really need to get it checked out first thing tomorrow."
How do you think I would respond?
"Hey, doc, it's none of your business! In fact, they call people like you hypocrites - you're in poor health and yet you're pointing out health problems in other people. Besides, what makes you think I even wanted to hear your opinion!?"
Of course not! My reply would be VERY different:
"Oh, thank you so much for pointing that out. I hadn't noticed it but I'll get it checked out first thing tomorrow. Thank you so much for caring enough about me to point it out.
Easily 99% of us would respond that way. Why? That's an easy answer - because we want to be physically healthy. We don't want to experience pain and suffering so we'll take medical advice anytime we can get it.
Yet, too often, we act very differently when God's Word or some fellow believer points out some area of concern in our spiritual lives. We bristle. We get defensive. We get angry.
Why? The only possible answer is that while we value physical health, far too often we do not value spiritual health.
The Word of God is for our healing. It points out areas of concern that will lead us down the wrong road and prescribes a remedy.
If we value spiritual health, we must pay careful attention as the light of God's Word shines onto the sinful areas of our mind and heart. We must make the necessary changes if we are to experience the benefits and joys of spiritual health.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (New Living Translation)
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable."
Hebrews 3:13 (New Living Translation)
"You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today,' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."
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