BE KNOWN FOR INTEGRITY: Devotion for Sunday May 8, 2016
Text: Matthew 7: 15 – 20 Memory verse: v 20
One thing that prevents men from choosing the strait and narrow way that leads to heaven is false doctrine that guarantees them freedom and living carnal lives. We have so many of them today who believe that the teachings of Paul, Peter, John, etc, against homosexuals were wrong. Some of these false prophets brought the gay movement into the Church of God. This is the reason behind the warning Jesus gave in 7:15. You will know these false teachers by the way they drift from one position to another on doctrinal issues and the effects of their doctrines on growth in morality. We cannot know the nature of a man, but his fruits (his deeds) will express and expose that nature. Therefore, the way to detect false prophets is by their deeds. A person’s speech will not always correspond to his true nature, as it is implied in 7:21.
Good teachers consistently exhibit good behaviour, integrity and high moral character as they attempt to live out the truths of Scripture. Every one of us is subject to sin, and we must show the same mercy to others that we need for ourselves. When Jesus spoke about bad trees, he meant teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers’ motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking. As Christians, we are teachers of the Bible by our words and action. Do we show integrity in all we do? That will give credence to our confession of faith. Let us be known for integrity and not falsehood and deceits.
Food for Thought: Matthew 3:10
Prayer: My God and my Father, help me to develop virtue of integrity in my words and action before you and men in Jesus name.
Pray and celebrate with Prisca Chimdifu Uzoma today as she marks her birthday.
