Obedience Of Unbelief
Sunday, February 22
GENESIS 2:15-17;3:1-7
“You will not die” (3:4, NIV).
This emphatic declaration of the serpent to Eve is an example of the deceptive ways evil works in our lives. Satan is crafty and illusive, challenging God’s authority and impugning his character and judgment. God had made a covenant with Adam, with a condition, to restrain him from eating of the fruit of good and evil. The penalty for disobedience was physical, spiritual, and eternal death. He and Eve ate the fruit anyway because it “was pleasing to the eye” (v. 6, NIV). Their sin was ambition, unbelief, rebellion, defiance, and pride.
I must be relentlessly aware of my own rebellions and of the lies and trickery of the evil one. I must also be mindful that I will certainly die if I listen to the devil’s invitations to taste what God has commanded me to restrain from. Obedience to God invites me to admit my temptation to yield to what is pleasing to the eye; instead I must confess my vulnerability to succumb to bite the apples of instant gratification, approval, and pride, which ultimately lead to spiritual death.
Dear Holy Spirit, guard me from the tricks of the evil one. Amen.
Eternal Life Or Death
Monday, February 23
ROMANS 5:12-21
Adam’s act of disobedience brought both sin and death upon humans. Christ’s act of obedience on the cross brought life. Christ offers all, through faith, the promise of the forgiveness of sins, a new identity in him, and the gift of eternal life. That gift is a transformed quality of life, intimately connected with God, experiencing his blessings, care, and presence. Eternal life means conforming to God’s living Word, choosing to follow his commands, not my own rules. I choose eternal life when I swallow my pride, escape retaliation, and grant undeserved favors and forgiveness. I choose death when I arrogantly indulge in my achievements or when I am indifferent and distance myself from the suffering around me. Our present world is full of hatred, selfishness, wars, hunger, and toxic politics. God invites me to pray for the oppressed and also to practice sacrificial hospitality and generosity with the foreigner, the widow, and the orphan around me.
Dear Lord, thank for your gift of eternal life. Amen.
Resist Or Relinquish
Tuesday, February 24
MATTHEW 4:1-4
Temptation is an invitation to do that which conflicts with the will and the Word of God. Satan attempts to entice Jesus, challenging him to succumb to his physical need to eat since he had been fasting for forty days. Although he was hungry and weak, disobedience (making the stone into bread) would have been unbelief, distrusting the Father’s care and divine provision. Instead, Jesus exemplifies the use of God’s Word as a sword to defy Satan’s invitation.
Jesus’s response is an invitation to trust God’s Word and his promises. I must believe God will give me the ability to control my emotions and desires, especially in difficult situations. I must also trust God to provide for my family needs. I must trust God to feed those who are hungry for bread and shelter and who are barely surviving because of the corruption of governments. Do I give in to despair, or do I resist the tricks and discouragement of the adversary and instead invite hope, trust, and action into my heart?
Dear Lord, grant me the gift of trusting your Word and the promise of your care. Amen.
Trust Or Test
Wednesday, February 25
MATTHEW 4:5-7
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down” (v. 6).
The evil one challenges Jesus to unleash his power over danger and throw himself into the care of angels; he twists Scripture to tempt Jesus to act recklessly, assuming God’s protection instead of trusting in obedience. Jesus’s response teaches us that while God provides protection and care, we do not presume upon God by engaging in careless or irresponsible acts.
Rather than demanding spectacular evidences of God’s power, we are called to obey and trust. I put God to the test when I engage in unnecessary danger, neglect self-care, demand signs and wonders, delay medical checkups, or disregard wise advice because of my overconfidence and my unhealthy craving to be right. I put God to the test when I assume God will prove himself. God encourages me to trust him above everything; nonetheless, many times I choose to test God’s provision and guidance when I put my trust in my own “angels” of entitlement and self-sufficiency.
Dear Lord, help me to give up my presumptuous desire to rely on my own capabilities. Amen.
Loyalty Or Idolatry
Thursday, February 26
MATTHEW 4:8-11
The devil tempts Jesus a third time by offering him immediate power and glory in exchange for worshiping him. Jesus rebukes him and calls on the Scriptures again. Just as Jesus rejected the temptation to bow down to the splendors and riches of this world, we must examine our hearts to discover where our loyalties stand. Any passion that overshadows God’s commands is idolatry. Material possessions, money, power, food, comfort, or physical appearance might become our secret idols. I seek to pay attention to where my time, energy, dreams, and emotions go.
My mother is adamant about paying attention to physical appearance. Clothes and manners are important to her—and to me. I must be vigilant not to fall into the temptation of awarding more attention to looks than to the inner condition and health of my heart, mind, and soul. I ask God to reveal the subtle idols of my life, to disclose what truly captivates my heart.
Lord, help us to name our idols to defeat them and worship you only. Amen.
Integrity Or Deceit
Friday, February 27
PSALM 32:1-7
In this psalm David invites us to examine our inner self, to inspect the condition of our spirit. Self-knowledge leads to a life of integrity. Examining our values and commitments can lead us to spiritual growth and maturity. The Holy Spirit, reveals hidden sin and motivates repentance and transformation, drawing us closer to God.
Perhaps we all struggle with self-delusion. We make excuses and rationalize our bad habits and behaviors, avoiding reality and unpleasant truths. I deceive myself when I procrastinate on my financial reports, when I water down my frustrations and disappointments, when fail to stick to healthy disciplines by engaging in superfluous activities. I seek the Holy Spirit to convict, guide, and inspire me to face my own untruths and weaknesses, to accept my imperfections so that I may walk the path of integrity. I am grateful for mentors and companions who have challenged and cared for me in this journey.
Dear Lord, grant me the strength to walk the journey of self-examination and confession. Amen.
Submission Or Defiance
Saturday, February 28
PSALM 32:8-11
In this psalm David declares the importance of a teachable spirit. A submissive spirit allows a person to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be shaped by God’s Word. This transformation is an internal, ongoing process that leads to an outward change in our priorities and behaviors. God wants us to develop an intrinsic desire to grow in all areas of our lives, constantly renewing our minds. I confess that I tend to be independent and self-sufficient, but I am reminded that I need to be humble and submissive and accept help when I need it—or accept that I am wrong. I am defiant when I do not listen to different points of view, when I opt for the silent treatment. May God change my spirit when I want to exercise power and control at the expense of others.
Dear Lord, teach me to be submissive to your guidance and instruction. Amen.
