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Today's Lenten Devotion
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You Shall Know Them ...
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you shall know them by their fruits.
-- Matthew 7:15-21
Is this a simple lesson in trusting one's intuition to recognize what is good fruit and what is bad? Jesus Christ gave one command from which all others come: LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. This means do no harm, either directly or indirectly.
Love, help others = Good Fruit
Harm others = Bad Fruit
Is this enough of a guideline for us?
Where do the false prophets come in? Does this pertain only to those who present themselves as teachers, leaders and policy makers in the spiritual arena? I think it includes the political arena as well and for that matter, extends to anyone who attempts to influence another’s behavior. This opens up a sizeable can of worms.
How many times have you proceeded along a path, thinking someone or something was so wonderful, only to discover in hindsight that you were manipulated and badly mistaken. How did I not see it? Why did I not question? Or, you might even wonder why you passed over that tiny little flash of doubt that might have presented itself. Why did I persist in looking for figs in a thistle tree? Why does God allow us to be so stupid?
We all hope to learn by our mistakes in recognizing the bad fruit, the wolf in sheep's clothing. It's easier said than done because circumstances and people change. It rarely appears the same as before. "This time, it’s different." Is it? Common sense and intuition are gifts not given equally to all. We can pray for these gifts and we can ask for counsel from those who have proven themselves to be true and to have these gifts.
Jesus prayed for help during His periods of doubt and anguish. We can expect to do the same. Praying for guidance does not mean we don't trust in grace and use our own intelligence. It does mean that we understand that we are not alone and that God is there to help us see more clearly if we truly want to do so. This IS part of our own intelligence.
Do no harm. Love one another. Be an instrument of good (not to be confused with comfort) for others. Does whatever we are doing enable us or others to do good things?
By our own fruits, we shall know ourselves.
Danielle Stanley
daniellestanley@optonline.net
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