THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
The Doggy Treat.

By Deborah Shaffer November 28th, 2025

“When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.”​ Ezekiel 3:18

Do you reach for the Meaty Bone biscuit or the breath mint?​

I love my dog—I really do. But I also have a keen sense of smell. Since he’s an outdoor, country-lovin’, country-roamin’ creature, he enjoys everything about country living. Unfortunately, that means he tangles with skunks, rolls in distasteful substances, and sometimes cools off in the pond—or a sewage lagoon! Sometimes I can smell his presence even before I spot him, yet he knows I love him and waits for me at the backdoor for a treat.​

I have several different doggy-treats on top of my refrigerator, always ready for him, just for the asking. I also have a big container of soft mints that dissolve quickly in your mouth. When I open the door to pet and talk to him, his unpleasant aroma quickly reaches my nose; and as I turn and reach up for a snack, I always see those mints.​

He needs a mint badly, but I know that is not what he wants. Bypassing the need, I grab a crunchy Meaty Bone biscuit, and he eagerly snatches it from my hands. With his tail wagging a “thank you,” he quickly turns and heads off the porch to enjoy his prize.​

This recently got me thinking about the times in life when someone comes to me with a genuine need. Their request may be a material one, or perhaps they just need a listening, caring heart. Very often, their need arises from an unwise or foolish decision they’ve made, and I always have a choice: do I give them a treat—the desired response, or do I give them a mint to help point out their real need? Though a treat may not be the right choice every time, the needed mint may not be, either. Real discernment and closely following the Holy Spirit’s lead are always essential.​

Jesus gave both. When there was wrong involved, he asked them to repent. But when sickness or a broken heart was apparent, He healed. Sometimes both were given, simultaneously, like the woman caught in adultery. I know her heart must have pounded with fear as she awaited the painful and deadly stones that would certainly be hurled at her. But Jesus, with his thought-provoking words—and the words He wrote in the dust, caused those men to drop the stones one by one, as each saw the error of his ways.​

That woman received the treat. She didn’t deserve it, for she was caught in a sinful act. But that’s what Jesus gave her. He also loved her so much that He couldn’t allow her to go back to her sinful lifestyle. His words were filled with compassion as He told her, “Neither do I condemn you.” Then reached for the mint and addressed the root of her troubles, warning her, “Go and sin no more.”​

I never enjoy handing a mint to someone, telling them the truth when it hurts. It’s much easier to give the treat and watch them turn away in joy, knowing they’re still my friend. But I need wisdom when dealing with people—and maybe I can start by popping a mint in my own mouth before offering one to a friend.