Title: Self-Justified, Self-Deceived/Topic: Compromise

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:17-21
17 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' 19 Why did you not obey the LORD ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD ?"
20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

Observation: Saul had very clear instructions from God. He was to totally destroy the Amalekites; every person and every animal. When confronted with his disobedience his first tactic is denial. “But I did obey the Lord”, he protests. He gives a very spiritual sounding reason for the “exceptions” he made to God's command. Samuel calls Saul's bluff and exposes his disobedience and Saul finally admits to his sin. But his confession does not really include repentance because he asks Samuel to still honor him in front of the people. He is more concerned about his image with others than he is that he disobeyed God. The consequences are that the Spirit of the Lord leaves him forever.

Application: Saul's problems began when he lost his humility and began to “think of himself more highly than he ought”. He began to make small compromises that led to bigger and bigger ones, all the while justifying them instead of repenting of them. He really had a difficult time admitting he was wrong. I have to guard against those same attitudes in my life. Any time I hear myself making justifications for mistakes instead of simply admitting them I need to stop and take a hard look at what is happening. It is easy to become self-deceived when we become adept at justifying ourselves.

Prayer: Father, keep me clear in my thinking. May I never justify sin or twist your words to fit my own agenda. It always leads to disaster. May I remain humble before you and be more concerned about what you think of me than what others think of me. May I be quick to confess and repent. Thank you for your grace and your kindness which leads us to repentance.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.