ESOCS Devotional 29 August 2022
TEXT: MATT 5:27-37
MEMORY VERSE: “Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.” Matthew 5:37 TLB
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The passage is about the teachings of Jesus on the mount. It was the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount – the Beatitudes. Jesus taught on the need to cherish our soul more than we do our bodies; the need to lay aside every weight and sin that will hinder us from getting to heaven; the need to reject the world and all its pleasures and attractions, and embrace Christ, His word, and everything about the Kingdom of God.
He talked about divorce: for a heaven bound believer, divorce is not an option; it ought not to be considered in any Christian marriage. The husband and wife should be one until either of them depart this world. Therefore, they owe God, themselves, and the Church to ensure that they avoid or fight against all things that would lead to divorce.
Swearing in the perception of the world is a way of proving your speech to be true. Most times, people swear to please their audience or make themselves look like a saint. But Jesus said, “Do not swear at all.” He said your speech should be simple: “Yes or No,” for whatever is more than this is from the evil one.
If we develop a life of integrity, we would be disciplined enough for people to believe what we say. We will not need to make extra effort swearing. As Christians, let us simply create an image of honesty, forthrightness, and high level sensitivity to righteousness and holy living. That’s all it take, and that’s all we need.
- What impression do people who know you too well have about you? Do they trust you at all?
- Holy Spirit of God, please help me to live a life that is devoid of falsehood, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Joshua 2:1-24; Daniel 4:19-37; Matthew 5:21-26; Hebrews 13:7-16
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ESOCS Devotional 29 August 2022
