“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”                                           — Jack Handey

Criticism – Everyone seems to be an expert on dispensing it, but few seem to appreciate being the recipients of it. It can be a character builder or it can lead to a fight. It almost never builds friendships, but has destroyed many a friendship never to be mended. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Galatians 6:1 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Proverbs 27:6 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Easy with criticism. It usually creates anger and defensiveness in the person you criticized.

Think about it.

Gary

The cartoon pictured two tyrannosaurus walking through New York City, eating people. One looked at the other and said, “Of course you feel good; these things are full of anti-depressants.”

Some people do need these medications, but I believe the distribution of them has gotten out of hand. People should try the Word of God first.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control 

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Try the Scriptures before you leave a funny taste in some monster’s mouth.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Polar bears have jet-black skin under their white fur coats. It helps them absorb heat to keep warm, while the white fur provides camouflage in the snowy and icy environment in which they live.

Now, how in the world did they ever come up with that idea? Oh, one day a pack of them was sitting around and one said, “Hey, how about we put a black skin under our fur? No one will know and the sun will warm us up during the day.”

Maybe a better occasion for this phenomenon is found in Genesis.

Genesis 1:24

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. 

Romans 1:20

 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 

The God of creation provided for each one. Give it some thought.

Gary

A pawn is a game piece in chess. It is one of the eight small pieces that have the least value in the game of chess. When used to refer to a person, it implies that the individual is someone who does not have any real power, but is used by others to achieve something.

Luke chapter 16, the story of the rich man, tells of a pawn lost to the game of life. People in this game seek to get through without acknowledging God. They seek to build their kingdom with no thought of the last move. It’s about going to sleep here and waking up there. Losing was his reward for such a wasted life.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Like the song says, “If you’re going to play the game, boy, you’d better learn to play it right.”

Give it some thought, Kenny.

Gary

How long do you have to listen to someone before you understand what they are saying? How many people are worth listening to? While you pretend to listen, are you thinking of what you are going to say between gale force winds? Do you believe there is nothing new that you haven’t heard before?

A lot depends on how you answer these questions. Does the Bible have anything to say? Glad you asked.

James 1:19 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 25:12 

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Give it some thought.

Gary

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Psalm 119:105 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Isaiah 30:21 

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

My optometrist asks, “What can you see?”

I say, “Nothing.”

Then she begins adjusting lenses and asks, “Is this better?”

We do this till I say, “Yes.”

She controls my vision, not me. So it is with God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The Inland Taipan (also known as, the Western Taipan) is the most venomous snake in the world. A single bite contains enough venom to kill at least 100 fully grown men and, if left untreated can kill within just 30 minutes.

There is, however, a more venomous snake than that and it is mentioned quite often in Scripture. 

Revelation 12:9

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Careful of what might come slithering into your life because it could be the end of you.

Give it some thought.

Gary