Day 49

Leviticus 6:1–7:27; Mark 3:7-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 10:3-4

TODAY IN MARK we read, “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart” (Mark 3:24-25). Think about that —a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. It explains so much of what we see in the world today, and maybe in our own homes.

Jesus said this in response to an accusation leveled at Him by religious leaders who had traveled to Galilee all the way from Jerusalem to check Him out. The charge was that Jesus was empowered by the evil one to cast out demons.

It’s absurd, really. But what Jesus said next cut through all of it: “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences” (Mark 3:28-29).

In other words, to call that which is of the Spirit of God evil, and from the evil one, has eternal consequences —a dire warning.

God is on the move in the world, and He has no problem doing things through people that we do not understand. But when we then label what He does as evil because we do not understand it, or it’s happening through a person whose life we do not approve of, we are acting like the religious leaders who confronted Jesus.

Perhaps we could bring this closer to home. When we deny the Spirit of God within those we love and instead speak words of death and darkness over them, we are also cursing the Spirit within them. And a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. We would do well to consider just how scary this is. May we consider what our lives are saying about the Spirit of God in our thoughts, words, and actions.

MEDITATION:

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.