Daily Encouragement

A scripture-based, 60-second, challenge toward fidelity in living-out the call to Christian discipleship!

  • About the author
  • Home

Tag Archives: the book of 1 Corinthians

August 23
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”  (I Corinthians 15:33, NASB)

. . . or the modern corollary to St. Paul’s maxim: “You can’t soar with eagles when you run with turkeys.”

Lest we think that what is referenced here is our associations (as in,  “avoid troubled people because their troubles will rub-off on you”), that is not the case. Young’s Literal Translation of this verse reads: “Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners.”

The J. B. Phillips Translation of this verse gives us even more clarity: “Don’t let yourselves be deceived. Talking about things that are not true is bound to be reflected in practical conduct.”

As disciples of Jesus, if God chooses to put us in dark places (as He may), it is because we are “the light of the world”; our job is to shine for Him! If God chooses to put us in places where the risk of moral decay is imminent (as He will), it is because we are “the salt of the earth”; our job is to be salty — and preserve! (Please see Matthew 5:13-16 for the complete text.)

Today, and everyday, may our personal ambition as “light and salt” be gracious manners in a coarse world; the purest intentions in a jaded and skeptical sphere; and utterances that are scrupulously true in a community where the “truth” is often an amalgam of reality, convenience, and veiled self-interest.

Do not be fooled! While words that are gracious, pure, and truthful bring hope, light, and life to others; when we allow gossip, innuendo, and lies to invade our communications with others, it is our own daily conduct, moral authority, and personal character that is corrupted — and we become the problem instead of the solution.  – Luther

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tagged bad company, good morals, J. B. Phillips, morality, the book of 1 Corinthians
August 22
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  (I Corinthians 10:13, NIV)

All temptations are short-cuts.

There are moral short-cuts, such as when we are tempted to take something — anything — that doesn’t belong to us; whether it be tangible (money) or intangible (recognition); and effectively by-pass the additional time, effort, or sacrifice required to acquire these things legitimately.

There are emotional short-cuts, such as when we by-pass the opportunity to share the sorrow or grief of another person because doing so is inconvenient or difficult.

Today’s scripture reminds us of two things: (1) Our heavenly Father will never allow us to be in a situation where evil or sin is our only choice; and (2) In the times when
temptation seems to envelop us, our heavenly Father has provided an escape route.

Look for it.  Don’t move until you find it.  Take it.

The resistance of temptations of all kinds may be the long way home, but it is the way home.  – Luther

 

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tagged God's mercy, resistance, short-cuts, temptation, the book of 1 Corinthians
June 7
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)

“Temptation” is any invitation to abandon God’s will.  In this world, temptation is a common experience.  However, escaping temptation is expected to be the Christian disciple’s common response.

The bible tells us that God will not allow a temptation greater than we can bear.  In every temptation — whether we are facing it for the first time or for the 50th time — God has provided us an exit.

When you are tempted, look for the exit — then take it!  – Luther

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tagged God's provision, temptation, the book of 1 Corinthians
← Older posts
Newer posts →

Subscribe to Daily Encouragement

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

Recent Comments

Mary Sue on Mothers’ Day
Judith on …
Anonymous on …
Anonymous on …
Madi on …

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 317 other followers

Archives

Blog at WordPress.com.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Cancel
%d bloggers like this: