Monday, June 12, 2023
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).
How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?
Some years back, two ministry friends of mine traveled to a foreign country to visit family members. The man and his wife stayed at a local hotel for one night. Opening their door the following morning, the woman noticed food strewn on the hallway floor outside. Assuming the staff had served them breakfast, she began collecting it—until a passerby advised her to leave the food alone because it had been sacrificed to “monsters.” In other words, this was a food offering to appease any evil spirits that might have sought to harm these tourists!
The nations of the world are described in Romans chapter 1: “[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
Commenting on the pagan idolatry in Lystra (central Turkey), Paul and Barnabas stated: “…Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways” (Acts 14:15,16). As my ministry friends learned firsthand, the nations are still “walking in their own ways” today….
333 Words of Grace 