Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional
A Hard Lesson Learned.
By Sergey Perminov | September 18
“He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” Psalm 101:7
I’ve noticed that sometimes we are unable to properly assess a situation. When someone tries to outwit or trick us, we sometimes feel an intuitive anxiousness which keeps us from doing wrong; but sometimes either our mind doesn’t see their trick or the desire to gain something takes over.
Let me tell you a story from my childhood. My grandmother always tried to guide me when it came to friendships. She would tell me, again and again, “Show me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
I was 11 years old, and I rode around our city on a bicycle whenever I wanted to. On my trips, I’d meet other kids I didn’t know on bicycles and we’d ride around together.
One time, I met a younger boy, ordinary in appearance, and unremarkable. I told him that there was something wrong with my right bicycle pedal, and the reflector had come off, and he said to me, “Come on. We can easily solve your problem.”
We rode to a hostel and went up to the sixth floor. “See that bike on the open balcony?” he asked. “Just take off any piece you want.”
Now remember that those were the old USSR days, and people never locked their doors. And while I trusted this boy’s questionable idea and began removing someone else’s pedal and reflector, that boy slipped out of the building.
Suddenly, when the noise I made attracted the attention of the bike’s owner, he grabbed me by the hand, took my bicycle, and handed me over at the police station! After they let me go, I had to walk a long way home in tears and tell my mother what happened.
The next day, my mother and I went back to the police station to pick up my bike. The district inspector said he knew that boy, gave us his last name, and told us that he’d been on the police records for several years. Behind that unassuming face was a pile of criminal offenses, but how could I have known that?
The officer didn’t charge me with anything, and he let me go home with my bike because he realized I was not a regular offender. But that experience taught me a lot. I learned that I need to be careful with unfamiliar “helpers” and think the situation through more closely. Even then, my judgment may not be enough, so I should fervently pray for God’s guidance, so Christ’s providence does not give in to quick and easy gain.
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19.
A Hard Lesson Learned.
By Sergey Perminov | September 18
“He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” Psalm 101:7
I’ve noticed that sometimes we are unable to properly assess a situation. When someone tries to outwit or trick us, we sometimes feel an intuitive anxiousness which keeps us from doing wrong; but sometimes either our mind doesn’t see their trick or the desire to gain something takes over.
Let me tell you a story from my childhood. My grandmother always tried to guide me when it came to friendships. She would tell me, again and again, “Show me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
I was 11 years old, and I rode around our city on a bicycle whenever I wanted to. On my trips, I’d meet other kids I didn’t know on bicycles and we’d ride around together.
One time, I met a younger boy, ordinary in appearance, and unremarkable. I told him that there was something wrong with my right bicycle pedal, and the reflector had come off, and he said to me, “Come on. We can easily solve your problem.”
We rode to a hostel and went up to the sixth floor. “See that bike on the open balcony?” he asked. “Just take off any piece you want.”
Now remember that those were the old USSR days, and people never locked their doors. And while I trusted this boy’s questionable idea and began removing someone else’s pedal and reflector, that boy slipped out of the building.
Suddenly, when the noise I made attracted the attention of the bike’s owner, he grabbed me by the hand, took my bicycle, and handed me over at the police station! After they let me go, I had to walk a long way home in tears and tell my mother what happened.
The next day, my mother and I went back to the police station to pick up my bike. The district inspector said he knew that boy, gave us his last name, and told us that he’d been on the police records for several years. Behind that unassuming face was a pile of criminal offenses, but how could I have known that?
The officer didn’t charge me with anything, and he let me go home with my bike because he realized I was not a regular offender. But that experience taught me a lot. I learned that I need to be careful with unfamiliar “helpers” and think the situation through more closely. Even then, my judgment may not be enough, so I should fervently pray for God’s guidance, so Christ’s providence does not give in to quick and easy gain.
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19.
Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional
A Hard Lesson Learned.
By Sergey Perminov | September 18
“He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” Psalm 101:7
I’ve noticed that sometimes we are unable to properly assess a situation. When someone tries to outwit or trick us, we sometimes feel an intuitive anxiousness which keeps us from doing wrong; but sometimes either our mind doesn’t see their trick or the desire to gain something takes over.
Let me tell you a story from my childhood. My grandmother always tried to guide me when it came to friendships. She would tell me, again and again, “Show me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
I was 11 years old, and I rode around our city on a bicycle whenever I wanted to. On my trips, I’d meet other kids I didn’t know on bicycles and we’d ride around together.
One time, I met a younger boy, ordinary in appearance, and unremarkable. I told him that there was something wrong with my right bicycle pedal, and the reflector had come off, and he said to me, “Come on. We can easily solve your problem.”
We rode to a hostel and went up to the sixth floor. “See that bike on the open balcony?” he asked. “Just take off any piece you want.”
Now remember that those were the old USSR days, and people never locked their doors. And while I trusted this boy’s questionable idea and began removing someone else’s pedal and reflector, that boy slipped out of the building.
Suddenly, when the noise I made attracted the attention of the bike’s owner, he grabbed me by the hand, took my bicycle, and handed me over at the police station! After they let me go, I had to walk a long way home in tears and tell my mother what happened.
The next day, my mother and I went back to the police station to pick up my bike. The district inspector said he knew that boy, gave us his last name, and told us that he’d been on the police records for several years. Behind that unassuming face was a pile of criminal offenses, but how could I have known that?
The officer didn’t charge me with anything, and he let me go home with my bike because he realized I was not a regular offender. But that experience taught me a lot. I learned that I need to be careful with unfamiliar “helpers” and think the situation through more closely. Even then, my judgment may not be enough, so I should fervently pray for God’s guidance, so Christ’s providence does not give in to quick and easy gain.
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19.
0 Commentarios
0 Acciones
16 Views
English
Arabic
French
Portuguese
Deutsch
Turkish
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Romaian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek
हिन्दी