May 22

Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or that which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 2 Corinthians 1:17,18.

Often I have convictions or opinions about what I should do or say in my dealings with others. It is my intent to convey the life of Christ in my relationships. Often I am asked to express my thoughts; hopefully they are to be used to help others in their Christian walk. Yet when I do this there is sometimes the tendency to go back over what I have said—to mull it over in my mind, and to speculate on whether my advice was clear and correct. The enemy can use those times to whip me and to try to bring me to a defeated life.

The above passage reminds me of the author of the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ that comes at the same time. The old fleshly nature knows nothing of the firm ‘Yes’ in Christ. I need to trust Christ more fully and not try to second-guess my words that were given to others. The Lord can use whatever I say to His purposes; His knowledge is complete while mine is only partial. I am not bearing the risk of being misinterpreted —He alone bears the risk. He can see the beginning and the end.

Today, Lord Jesus, be in my words and actions that are directed at those around me. You are the head of the body; You alone are the one to determine the proper influence on their lives. I will not be so presumptuous as to judge the results. Allow me, Lord, to serve You more completing with the full assurance of Your presence and guiding hand on my life. Amen.

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