Muddy Water
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. ( Proverbs 25:26 ) Naw…it ain’t somethin i found in a fortune cookie … it’s God, speaking to us through King Solomon, many many moons ago…and we’d do well to acknowledge this advice. If you’ve ever watched a good western, you’ll be able to relate this proverb. Dry country, as out West, doesn’t have springs poppin up every hundred yards … it’s sand, rock and nothingness for a reason… NOT much water. When a parched and dying traveler finally crawled up on a small pool of standing water, they couldn’t be 100% confident in its purity. Many times, animals had drank due to an illness, died in the water and poisoned it even more…much like deer with CWD ( chronic wasting disease ) do. If you’ve ever watched “Dances With Wolves”, with Kevin Costner, you’ll recall one of his first major undertakings when he took over the deserted desert post … cleaning out that waterhole. It was unsafe to drink, due to all the dead animals and debris. Remember Woody’s voice box when Bonnie pulled his string ( Toy Story 3 ), “Somebody’s poisoned the water hole.” Hey ! Don’t judge me. I like all kinda shows 😄. When God says that a “righteous man who gives way to the wicked” winds up pollutin a well or muddyin a spring, He’s warning us of the dangers of allowing sin a place in our lives. To NOT be able to get a drink of refreshing water, is like being sentenced to death from dehydration ! We not only put ourselves in harms way, we also impose a death sentence on those who come behind us ! In a sense, our allowance of sin in our own lives can be transferred to our spouses, kids, grandkids, coworkers, friends, kinfolk, etc; etc.. We can be found guilty of murder because of our own stupidity ! That’s why it is SO crucial to say “NO” to sin ! Opportunities abound…temptations await around every corner…and just because “everybody else does it” or “so-n-so’s mama lets them do it”, doesn’t make it OK in the eyes of God … or for His kids !! Taking active steps in the direction God leads is a positive way to keep sin “outside” our doors ( Genesis 4:7 ). Daily Bible study…continuous prayer…listening to Christian music and Jesus-preaching podcasts…surrounding ourselves with Christ-honoring people…using our gifts of the Spirit to glorify God…avoiding impure or dishonorable ( water holes )…putting feet-to-faith and offering “fresh water” and “food” to the needy…in Jesus’ name…giving our personal testimonies and asking others if they’ve ever invited Jesus to be their Lord and Savior..; all good ways to keep our own springs from being muddied up and our wells fulla fresh water. Brother…sister…let’s not be guilty of casting a poor reflection of Jesus or imitating those who don’t know Him ( yet ). Abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, and you won’t give in to the desires of the flesh ( Galatians 5:16 ) !