It's not unusual for God's people to
develop an attitude of superiority even as they realize that all they can be and
do is attributed to God's generosity and kindness. Today we say people have an “attitude”
when they act haughty, arrogant, or superior. Paralleling this attitude is a diminished
maturity that may be hidden and hard to detect because it is camouflaged by
this attitude of superiority.
In the book of Judges, Samson
demonstrated immaturity in judgment by naively trusting his new wife with the
answer to his riddle. Immaturity, greed and fear turned a wedding festival into
betrayal and chaos. Samson's riddle appeared innocent, but his ulterior motives
produced humiliation and anger.
Fearing for the lives
of herself and her parents, Samson's bride gave the answer to the riddle to the
young men attending their wedding. For Samson, her betrayal ended the marriage.
So how should God respond when we permit passion and impulses to detract us from
his plan and calling? Have you suffered great consequences while still
believing God will forgive you?
_____________________
For we ourselves were once...slaves to passions and pleasures
of all kinds. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, he
saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but
because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives
us new birth and new life by washing us.
~Titus 3:3-4 Good News Bible Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
~Psalm 23:6 King James Bible
