Word for Today - 12 Dec 2024
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“Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Romans 12:17 KJV
Be honest in small things, and all things
In his poem “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost writes, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” Sadly today, the road less traveled is honesty in small things and honesty in all things. According to Psychology Today, 70 percent of high school students and almost half of college students admit to cheating. USA Today stated that 91 percent of Americans lie regularly. Our culture says, “If you want to get ahead, you have to break a few rules.” But the Bible warns that “the little foxes…spoil the vines” (Song of Songs 2:15 KJV). Solomon is referring to little sins that whet our appetite, distort our values, and lead to bigger sins. Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “Adam’s eating forbidden fruit seemed but a little sin, but it opened the door to the greatest.” Are you being tempted to compromise your character? Tempted to deceive classmates? Pressured to be untruthful at work? Caught up in an “innocent little relationship”? Evangelist Charles Finney said, “A person who is dishonest in little things isn’t really honest in anything.” Unless the small, secret areas of your life are governed by your convictions, you endanger them to corruption from your compromises. One of the greatest promises made in Scripture is to those who are faithful in small things. “Well done…you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV). Guard your thoughts; they become your deeds. Guard your deeds; they form your character. Guard your character; it decides your destiny.
Be honest in small things, and all things
In his poem “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost writes, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” Sadly today, the road less traveled is honesty in small things and honesty in all things. According to Psychology Today, 70 percent of high school students and almost half of college students admit to cheating. USA Today stated that 91 percent of Americans lie regularly. Our culture says, “If you want to get ahead, you have to break a few rules.” But the Bible warns that “the little foxes…spoil the vines” (Song of Songs 2:15 KJV). Solomon is referring to little sins that whet our appetite, distort our values, and lead to bigger sins. Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “Adam’s eating forbidden fruit seemed but a little sin, but it opened the door to the greatest.” Are you being tempted to compromise your character? Tempted to deceive classmates? Pressured to be untruthful at work? Caught up in an “innocent little relationship”? Evangelist Charles Finney said, “A person who is dishonest in little things isn’t really honest in anything.” Unless the small, secret areas of your life are governed by your convictions, you endanger them to corruption from your compromises. One of the greatest promises made in Scripture is to those who are faithful in small things. “Well done…you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV). Guard your thoughts; they become your deeds. Guard your deeds; they form your character. Guard your character; it decides your destiny.
