Thought For The Week

Did you ever have your mother tell you after you did something wrong, “Now you know better than that!” Not to take credit away from our moms for such a wise statement, but the Lord has told people the same thing for a very long time.

Even though the Lord had given Israel the command to have no other gods than Him (Exodus 20:3-4) and they knew better, we read in Judge 2:11 that they did evil and served other gods. “They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.” (Judges 2:19). In the parable of the Faithful Steward, Jesus told of one servant “who knew his master’s will”, but did not prepare himself or do the master’s will, even though he knew better, and for that he would be beaten severely. (Luke 12:47).

Most Christians have a pretty good idea of what God wants them to do and not do. But like the Apostle Paul, those things we should do we don’t do and the things we shouldn’t do, we do, even though we know better. (Romans 7:19) Jesus told Peter, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38) thus it just goes to show that we can’t do it alone, but we can do all things through Christ who will strengthen us. (Philippians 4:13)

Even now, after making a mistake or bad judgment, I can still fondly hear my mother saying, “Now you know better than that!” We too must listen to the Lord’s warning, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

Jay Launius – 2024, Maud church of Christ, Maud, Texas