BBD 05.19.16 Well-Meaning People (New)
Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>
Since June 8th 1998, this
is the 1741st
Burning Bush Devotional
19 May 2016
Well-Meaning People
Test all things; hold fast what is
good. Abstain from every form of
evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
NKJV.
Paul Allen is a co-founder of Microsoft, which he left
some time ago. In these days, Paul is known for his philanthropy giving in
support of primarily coral reef restorations. One of his projects has been in
support of the West Bay Coral Reef in the Cayman Islands. Recently, Allen’s
300-foot yacht dropped anchor, it dropped anchor on the West Bay Coral Reef and
caused some damage. They dropped anchor and destroyed 80% of the reef!
(National Geographic 01.16.16; The Guardian 01.28.16)
Paul Allen is an example of a well-meaning person, or
well intentioned person; who when they try to help, instead of actually helping
cause damage. Dictionary dot com defines well-meaning as: “having or
indicating good or benevolent intentions, usually with unfortunate results.” Have you ever encountered a “well-meaning” person? Have you ever
been a “well-meaning” person?
Another
question that needs to be asked is this: Is being a “well-meaning” person wrong in God’s eyes? Dictionary dot com defines evil in this way: “morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked - harmful; injurious
- characterized or accompanied by misfortune or suffering; unfortunate; disastrous
- anything causing injury or harm - a harmful aspect, effect, or consequence.”
The answer to the question is that a “well-meaning
person” is in the wrong when they cause harm. This is why we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to “abstain
(or avoid – GNT and CNT) every kind of evil.”
Unintentionally causing harm can come about in innocent
ways. It may be a lack of information, or the wrong information that causes an
action that results in harm. Apparently, whoever was piloting Paul Allen’s 100-yard
long yacht did not have the right information about the location of their ship
in relation to the reef. When you are captain of a ship a football field long
you need to be cautious of where you pilot the ship, and where you drop a very
heavy anchor. When you are a human ship you also need to be careful of which
way you turn the rudder. James 3:4-6 tells us, “Look also at ships: although they are so large and are
driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the
pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See
how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The
tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on
fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” Where are you
piloting your ship today?
Copyright © 2016. Ed Wrather. The
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