… those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority... having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children…
-2 Peter 2:10, 14
Billy Bob looked forward to running the Houston Marathon, and leading the thousands of runners across the finish line. So, Billy Bob exercised by playing a daily game of tiddly-winks, confident he was building up his thumb muscles. That, Billy Bob assured himself, would lead him to victory.
Sounds silly, but the truth is many of us exercise and train ourselves inappropriately. The Holy Spirit, through Peter, brings to mind with the word “train” an athlete readying his or her body for a race. But the “athletes” in 2 Peter 2:14 are training themselves for something negative.
If you and I hone our skills in satisfying our greed and lust, we’re exercising the wrong thing. Here’s a businessman who sharpens his skills at closing a deal through a slight deceit. There’s a politician, developing the ability to shade meanings. Over here is a womanizer, practicing his seductive “line.”
When we exercise our ability to do wrong, it’s as useless—and defeating—as a runner who should be developing his legs focusing on thumb-power instead!
TODAY’S HEART FOCUS
Pray for wisdom to sharpen your skills for good, and not that which useless and even destructive.