Topic: Untamed Character Flaws [Friday January 19th, 2018]
Text: Genesis 34:13-31
Key Verse: “And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” (Genesis 34:25).
Scripture has proved that untamed or unchecked habits turn out to be fatal in the long run. Simeon and Levi were said to be “instruments of cruelty” (Genesis 49:5), who committed genocide in a city where they and the entire family of Jacob were strangers.
The word of God does not condone vices such as anger and vindictiveness. When Simeon and Levi resorted to mass murder and guile to retaliate for the rape of their sister, Dina, by Shechem the Hivite, they relied on base instincts and ungodly measures to settle scores. Dina was wrong in the first place to have gone out to mingle with the unregenerate people of Shechem where she was desired and defiled. Her implacably angry brothers ought not to have lured Shechem into a false sense of security while planning to attack his people in their vulnerable condition.
The point was thus proved that man cannot have peace and harmonious relationship with fellow man if he is ruled by anger, lust, distrust, rivalry and vengeance. These sins are curable only through salvation and purity of heart and character. Christ shed His blood to cleanse everyone who sincerely prays for it. He rose again to empower every believer to live godly.
Christians who have thus had encounter with Christ abhor anything that elevates self, promotes conflicts or downplays biblical holiness. As believers, we must promote peace and peaceful coexistence among different peoples in the neighbourhood, community and everywhere we find ourselves.
Thought For The Day: Sinful habit is satan’s cord that weaves around the sinner’s soul: only Jesus can break it.
Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 22-24
Deeper Christians Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
