Daily View Devotions
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The Daily View is a five day-a-week devotion. Read one KJV chapter each day and learn something from what was read. It is also an ideal source for Sunday school lessons for adults, teens, and sermon ideas.
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Daily Devotion in II Corinthians 13
In his letter to them, Paul gives them some wise advice for dealing with situations reported to us about others. That wisdom is to believe what we hear only if it can be established as a fact by two or three witnesses (II Corinthians 13:1). That wisdom would silence quite a bit of gossip if it were applied.
Years ago, I dealt with several boys' arguments in a high school classroom. The heated discussion began because of something a boy had “heard” another boy say about him.
Believing that it was unfounded gossip, I tracked the trail of the traveling tale for the entire class to witness. I went to the upset boy and asked him who had made the accusation. After identifying the messenger, I went to that teenager and asked what he had heard the boy say. He confessed that he did not hear the first boy say it, but that he was told about it by a third boy.
In front of the whole classroom, I then went to that student and asked the same question. He, too, confessed that he did not witness what the boy said and admitted that he had heard it from another. Around the classroom I went, tracking the story down, asking each recipient of gossip what he had heard and where he had heard it.
After going to at least ten boys that the gossip had been passed from, I finally came to the originator. He confessed that he had heard no one say anything. He just “thought” the boy may have said it from the look on the boy’s face. All the gossip and hurt feelings were in vain. The damage was all done because of one boy’s perception of what was said to another. We all learned that day that no one should trust what is said about another.
Unsubstantiated gossip is not trustworthy, yet so many believe it, and many are hurt by it. That is why Paul wisely told those in the Corinthian church that when they hear something said about another person, they should make sure it is true.
Today’s Thought:
“If someone is gossiping to you about another, they most likely talk about you when you are not around.”
Words to Understand:
Reprobates: people who rejects biblical morality, sometimes after previously knowing what the Bible says is right
Today’s Reading:
II Corinthians 13
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 ¶ Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
11 ¶ Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.
13 All the saints salute you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
