Is wrong wrong even when no one is looking?

As most are aware we have had quite the weather in Oklahoma over the last couple of weeks. Like many, I have suffered some property damage, although nothing compared to those who have lost so much.

Now that the storms have passed the real fun has begun. Contractors are out in groves, every imagineable insurance company has set up camp and like most I find myself right in the middle of all the frenzy needing to get estimates, claims filed and settlements. This morning I came across a verse of scripture in my devotion time-

Prov. 20:17 "Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel"

How easy it is during times like this to let greed override integrity. Tell me, will those who claim to be followers of Christ resist the tempation to take more than what is rightfully theirs during this chaotic time? It is certainly easy to exagerate claims, roll in old damage as new, pad estimates, or upcharge customers since the insurance company is footing the bill.

Is integrity required at all times even if the victim is the insurance company, who after all charges to much anyway????

Is integrity something we do for others or for ourselves? I would be lying if I didn't say for a fleeting moment it was tempting to fudge about an answer, leave off some information or answer round about some of the questions asked me by the insurance company - none of us our immune to the temptation of the carrot when the enemy dangles it in front of us.

However, it isn't to the insurance company I owe honsety to. It is to myself. More than that it is to Christ - the one I represent.

I was reminded of a couple other verses in Proverbs today...

Prov. 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity"
*****It is a comforting feeling to not have to try and remember what you
said in fear that you might not say it the same way again!

Prov. 4:18 "The path of the irghteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day"
*****Right is always bright and clear. Wrong comes in many shades of
darkness

Is wrong wrong even when no one is looking? I guess the answer is the same as it is to another age old question...If a tree falls in the forest when no one is around does it still make noise?

Have a great day.

Blessings,
Darren

Shut Your Mouth

This morning during my devotion time I was reminded just how quick our mouths can get us into trouble. It is humbling but look at what God's Word says...

Prov 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. NIV

Prov 18:6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. NIV

Prov 18:7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. NIV

Ever find yourself speaking without listening, speaking without even thinking??? I know I do at times and seldom does it turn out good. I hate the taste of rubber, but I sure have stuck my foot in my mouth enough times to know what it tastes like!

Listen to what James warns us about the tongue...

James 3:5-6
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. NIV

So what is a proven remedy to help keep our mouths shut? LISTENING!

In the same chapter in Proverbs, God teaches us a better way...

Prov 18:13 He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame. NIV

Prov 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;the ears of the wise seek it out. NIV

Prov 18:17 The first to present his case seems right,till another comes forward and questions him. NIV

God Word is straight to the point at times. Those who speak before listening will be fools. Those who listen before speaking will be wise.

It is difficult at times to remind myself but 9 out of 10 times the best thing I could do is SHUT MY MOUTH and let wisdom fill my life. After all, who wants to be a fool???

Have a great day!

Blessings,
Darren

He who walks with the wise grows wise...

I never cease to be amazed at the practical life changing truths in God's Word. So powerful, yet so often so very practical.

For example just look at a few verses from my devotion time this morning in Proverbs 13 (Note: great devotion is to read the proverb of what ever day of the month it is!)

Prov 13:1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Prov 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Prov 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.


Prov 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.


Prov 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Prov 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

In just a few verses such incredible wisdom on subjects as diverse as personal growth, gaining wisdom, handling of money, raising of children...

None of the wisdom is complex, difficult to understand or beyond the reach of any reader. The question simply remains for me and you...will we trust that God's way is better than ours? His ways are simple, ours are often complex. His ways are light, ours are often heavy. His ways are steadfast, ours are often subjective. His ways are clear, ours are often muddied.

Personally, when I read God's Word I am reminded how simple life can really be if I will accept and live by God's wisdom.

Yet, if I am completely honest with me it seems that my nature is to try to make things more complex and difficult than the need to be

Lord, help me sit at your feet and learn a better way.

Blessings,
Darren













A continual reminder to me that so often truth is very simplistic and striaght forward whereas deception is every shade of complex, muddied and multi-faceted.