1 Samuel 24 & 26, 1 Peter 2: 11-12, James 3: 8

Teresa Phillips

All of us have our vices, right? Well, mine is gossip. There's nothing like a good bit of juicy... well, you see my point? I find it really hard to resist, but hate it at the same time. Richard and Judy were talking (or should I say squabbling) about it the other day, saying that there's nothing wrong with it - but I disagree! Unfortunately, I find it difficult to 'tame my tongue,' as instructed in James 3: 8. In my old job, I found staff-room gossip particularly tempting, but, starting a new job in September, I was hoping I could start again and try my hardest to avoid it. Unfortunately it is more tempting than ever; everyone seems to do it! With God's grace though, I'm getting there.

Recently I have been reading about the epics of King Saul, who, in jealousy, was chasing David all over the place with his troops, looking to kill him. King Saul really was a meanie to David, yet time and again, David responded with grace. On one occasion, in 1 Samuel 24, David was hiding in the back of a cave at En Gedi. Saul, in total oblivion to David's presence, went into the cave to., ahem, relieve himself..(!) This was David's chance to kill Saul in order to save his own life. He nearly gave in and ended up chopping off a bit off his cloak instead, but in the end, he did resist.

This happens again, later on in chapter 26. David and one of his men discovered Saul and his troops asleep at their camp. David's sidekick couldn't believe their luck. He tempted David to strike. "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." (verse 8). But again, David, knowing the truth and knowing God's will, resisted. Not only was he faced with a massive temptation to save his own life, but someone else was egging him on to do it too. He had to make a determined choice to go against the flow.

1 Peter 2: 11-12 says the following... "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."

No matter what your vice, no matter who is around, join with me as I endeavour to row against that flow. Go in the opposite direction to everyone else and honour God by doing so. David did on this occasion, and the results of his actions were good - Saul confessed his sin and promised not to hurt David - for the time being. Who knows what the results of your good actions might be?