The Bear Facts
THE BEAR FACTS
Read Ephesians 5:14-20.
Tamara was excited. It was the first time Dad had taken her bow hunting. As Tamara squinted into the low sun, she noticed rows of corn in the field nearby. Glancing around, her gaze froze on something large and black. Black? Deer are tan! Tamara shivered. Then she whispered, “Dad, something is out there!”
Just then the animal stood on its hind legs, revealing that it was a large black bear. It raised its head and sniffed the air. Tamara and Dad stood still in amazement at this rare sight. Still sniffing, the bear slowly moved to the edge of the woods. It gazed longingly at the corn. After several minutes the bear lumbered toward the field. Soon, however, it returned to the woods.
Driving home later, Tamara asked, “Did you see how much the bear wanted that corn?”
“Yes, but it sensed danger, so it wouldn’t stay out in the open,” replied Dad. “The Bible tells us that, just like that bear, we should be careful how we live.”
“What does that mean, Dad?” asked Tamara.
“Well, it means that Christians are to be careful about what we do and where we go—looking around to spot temptations. Then we won’t get trapped by sin or a trick of the devil.”
When they got home, Mom asked about their hunting trip. “Don’t make up a story about hundreds of deer,” she joked. “Just tell me the bare facts.”
Dad grinned and winked at Tamara. “All right. We’ll just tell you the ‘bear’ facts!”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you foolish about the way you live, or are you careful in all that you do? Do you stay away from places where you might be tempted to do wrong? Do you avoid people who encourage you to sin? Be careful to live as God wants you to live. Be wise.
TO MEMORIZE:
Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Ephesians 5:15
WALK CAREFULLY.
From the book
