Reading: I Timothy 4
My Verse: "Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized)" (4:2).
As a young person, very young in You, Lord - I remember the dread of becoming a hypocrite. This is because there were several characters in my midst at that time who were amazing actors. In church they were so pious, but once out of church they would laugh and scoff at the whole "church thing." They would applaud themselves for their skill at deception. I remember thinking how wrong this was, and I would feel fear in my heart for them and for myself lest I do the same.
This verse states that awful result of refusing You - constantly denying Your Lordship. Hearts become so hardened that they "are seared (cauterized)." Throughout Scripture You warn us not to harden our hearts.
". . . be no longer stubborn and hardened" (Deut. 10:16).
"[God] is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has [ever] hardened himself against Him and prospered or even been safe" (Job 9:4)?
"Blessed is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity" (Proverbs 28:14).
"Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion (of Israel) and their provocation and embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness" (Hebrews 3:8).
"But instead warn one another every day as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).
Lord, how well You know us. You know the danger of putting You off. You know what happens to our hearts - we become desensitized to Your Love, to Your call.
Thank You for this warning. Thank You for your great love for us despite our often careless attitude.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized)" (4:2).
As a young person, very young in You, Lord - I remember the dread of becoming a hypocrite. This is because there were several characters in my midst at that time who were amazing actors. In church they were so pious, but once out of church they would laugh and scoff at the whole "church thing." They would applaud themselves for their skill at deception. I remember thinking how wrong this was, and I would feel fear in my heart for them and for myself lest I do the same.
This verse states that awful result of refusing You - constantly denying Your Lordship. Hearts become so hardened that they "are seared (cauterized)." Throughout Scripture You warn us not to harden our hearts.
". . . be no longer stubborn and hardened" (Deut. 10:16).
"[God] is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has [ever] hardened himself against Him and prospered or even been safe" (Job 9:4)?
"Blessed is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity" (Proverbs 28:14).
"Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion (of Israel) and their provocation and embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness" (Hebrews 3:8).
"But instead warn one another every day as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).
Lord, how well You know us. You know the danger of putting You off. You know what happens to our hearts - we become desensitized to Your Love, to Your call.
Thank You for this warning. Thank You for your great love for us despite our often careless attitude.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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