DAILY MANNA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020
TOPIC: POSSESSING THE MIND OF CHRIST
TEXT: Proverbs 24:1-20.
KEY VERSE:
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” - (Proverbs 24:17)
One of the greatest virtues of a believer as enunciated by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the New Testament is the principle of non-retaliation. Retaliation may be by direct vengeance or sometimes by indirect method of rejoicing when evil befalls one’s perceived enemy. It may also be by wishing someone, who has offended us, evil.
The text under consideration today teaches believers true wisdom and its benefits. It is evil for a Christian to go on a mission of vendetta. It is wisdom for a believer not to revenge or retaliate directly or indirectly. Neither should he rejoice when his enemy falls.
The pleasure some people derive from the calamities and misfortunes of their perceived enemy is forbidden by God. When a believer has a true knowledge of the word of God, his heart will be filled with the grace and comfort of the Holy Ghost, which will not allow him to do evil or imagine evil. The Spirit of God will make him to be at peace with everyone, including the wicked enemies, at all times.
Only people with Christ’s mind will neither revenge nor imagine evil when calamities befall their enemies. Christ’s mind can only be possessed through the new birth. The new birth comes upon a sinner when he acknowledges his/her sinfulness, confesses them and makes Christ his/her Lord and Saviour. This will make the grace of God to flood his heart. He will not be able to retaliate or rejoice when evil befalls his enemies.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Heart circumcision is the answer.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daniel 9-10
HIGHER EVERYDAY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020
THE WHOLE TRUTH
BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 5:33-37
MEMORY VERSE;;“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37).
Yesterday, we considered the topic, “Do Not Swear.” Today’s topic is a continuation of yesterday’s topic. People resort to swearing because of the general depravity of man which has led to scarcity of truthfulness. However, the believer who has been purchased by the precious blood of the Lamb and has been purged from all sins should be transparently truthful. “Remember, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded,” counselled Philip Stanhope. Speak the whole truth whenever you find yourself.
Those who tell lies by falsifying documents in order to get admissions or employments may have temporary reliefs today, but will surely burn in the lake of fire if they fail to repent and make necessary amendments. Child of God, be informed that speaking the truth will not always be palatable. You may face persecution, punishment, denial and threats because of your stance on truth. Don’t be discouraged at such a time but turn to God for help and strength and He will help you.
QUOTE: Speak the whole truth.
CHALLENGE: It is only the truth that can set free.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, help me to speak the truth at all times.