27/02/2013 - THEY LEARN WHAT THEY OUGHT NOT

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And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

I Timothy 5:13

There are people who are just like the widows of Paul’s time who were not considered to be real widows because of their behavior. It is known that at that time when a woman was widowed and had no one to help her with her sustenance, it was the church that provided assistance to her. However, many did not have a behavior that was worthy of receiving such help.

Similarly to the condition of a needy widow, many servants of the Most High undergo trials, which are part of the training that the Lord gives them, but He will take care of their needs. In the end, it will be proven that the Father’s hand never abandoned those who trusted in Him. God will never be responsible for someone’s downfall or defeat, but it’s up to us to believe in Him until the end.

The Word says that the woman who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day (verse 5). The fact is that those who are of the Lord must wait on Him entirely. Naomi’s husband, for example, in times of trial, went to Moab with his family because of the famine in Bethlehem. However, the crisis should not lead Christians to make hasty decisions.

Some widows mentioned by the apostle Paul committed serious offenses. Most did not find anything useful to do and became idle, wandering from house to house. Now, those who are not engaged in a service soon get involved with things that are none of their business.  The children of God will never be left without a mission, because the Word guarantees that they have been made ministers of the New Covenant.

Those who take to speaking of other people’s lives are often full of troubles and such behavior displeases the Lord. As people recreated in Christ, we have to do good works. We cannot lend ourselves to the enemy or let him use us. Keep an eye out because if you do not watch, you will certainly be used by the devil. Be an instrument in the hands of the Father in order to do good at all times.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13), so we have to be on the alert because it will happen. But if we disconnect from God, we will become as idle as the widows mentioned in the verse above and then we will start doing things He hasn’t allowed us to do. The busybodies hinder the work of the Holy Spirit.

Dedicate your life to the Lord and guide your conduct according to the Word. People who, for example, speak what comes to their mind end up making decisions that are contrary to those of God’s or engaging in contentions that will cause a lot of disappointments to them. If we behave in accordance with the Scriptures, we’ll be doing the divine will.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares