Today’s Readings:
Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13
Psalm 119:1,27,30,34-35,44
Luke 8:19-21
The saying goes, “A person who fetches ant-infested firewood invites lizards to his house.” This is exactly what happened when two women met their end at the hands of the same killer, a handsome, 6 feet 6 inches tall male named Wade Wilson (24 years old). In the first case, Wade met Kristen (35 years old) at a bar. They had some drinks and went over to her house where Wade strangled her to death after she had drifted to sleep.
Days later, while on the run, he stopped to ask his second victim for directions and Diane Ruiz (43 years old) a mother of two, got into the car with him and he choked her to death as they drove along. While attempting to dump her body, he found that she was still alive and he proceeded to run over her with the car. Confessing the crime to his father over the phone, he said he ran over Diane repeatedly until she became like spaghetti on the floor. These all took place in 2019. A recent video of him entering a court for a hearing made its way to TikTok where women began to repost and comment on how handsome he looks and how he is too innocent to be a killer. A news reporter recently added that women have been sending letters to Wade in prison. Some of these women have even sent him x-rayed pictures of themselves. And my only question is: “Are these women, okay?” Now, women like these do not just live on social media. They are everywhere. Most of them are victims of fantasy novels and other junks that twist reality, suspend reasoning and create unhealthy sexual fantasies. Such a mindset would make a person say, “I will marry for looks. No be my pikin go act devil for school play.”
The Book of Proverbs has this advice: “A man’s conduct may strike him as upright, the Lord, however, weighs the heart” (21:2). And “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (31:30). People who are blinded by superficiality are unconcerned with the content of a person’s heart. Our sense of judgment reflects our personal values and this in turn is evident in our poor choices. Be careful what you read, watch and listen to; they either shape you in wisdom or perpetuate your foolishness.
What should be the criteria by which we make decisions? Jesus says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21). God’s word calls us to be:
Blameless (without sin),
Keep God’s commandments,
Seek the truth,
Be discerning,
Be slow to speak,
Maintain composure,
Be kind and generous,
And be prayerful.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6).
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord”.
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident pastor, priest or reverend.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me wisdom.
Lord, give me a discerning spirit.
Lord, deliver me from silly fantasies and unhealthy expectations.
Lord, deliver me from foolish and rash judgment.
Lord, guide me by the presence of your Holy Spirit.
Lord, I place myself and all my cares in Your hands.
May God grant you an abundance of wisdom to make decisions which reflect a careful balance of your head and your heart.
May all your plans succeed in Jesus' name. Amen.
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