Search Me, O God - December 11, Readings: Obadiah, 2 John, 3 John, Psalm 139:20–24, Proverbs 30:11–14

Link to Today's Readings

What an odd assortment of verses we find in today's readings - verses that seem to meld together into a unified whole. Look at these three passages individually, then I will make my simple point.

First, in 3 John 9-11 we read about Diotrephes who "likes to put himself first." Arrogant and controlling he spoke ill of the men of God, kicked out of the church those who affirmed the true men of God.

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Then, in Psalm 23 and 24 we have a well-known passage. First though, look back at verses 20-22, which talk about those who slander the name of God, who are so arrogant and depraved that they actually feel free to speak against the God of heaven, the Creator, the one who will judge the living the dead. But the Psalmist has a different heart, a different attitude.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!    Try me and know my thoughts!And see if there be any grievous way in me,    and lead me in the way everlasting!

He does not judge and speak against God, but humbles himself and asks God to judge him. Examine me, O Lord and see if anything in me is offensive to you. I will not speak against you but will allow you to conform my heart fully to your will.

Then, in Proverbs 30:11-12 we encounter strong words about an arrogant fool.

There are those who curse their fathers
    and do not bless their mothers.
There are those who are clean in their own eyes
    but are not washed of their filth.

These men have vicious tongues, as the passage goes on to say. Look especially at verse 14 which describes their mouths as full of teeth like swords and fangs like knives. Graphic, right? Cutting. Violent. They wound with their tongues. But look at verse 12. They believe every word they speak is justified. They are "clean in their own eyes" but in God's eyes they are still filthy. They justify their verbal violence but God does not accept it. 

There is a pattern in these verses today, and a clear lesson for us from God's word. That lesson is threefold. 

1. We must guard our tongues from violence, from cutting and hurting one another. Gossip. slander, backbiting - our words can so easily tear down rather than build up. 

2. It is easy to convince ourselves that we are in the right and that our words are justified, even when we are in the wrong. Diotrephes was a powerful church leader, yet he was doing evil. Proverbs speaks of one who is clean in his own eyes yet is still filthy in God's eyes. Just because I convince myself I'm right does not make me right. 

3. We must daily put ourselves before the searchlight of God's word and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, saying, "if there is anything offensive in me, Lord, take it from me!" It is the Spirit, using the word, who shows me the truth. 

Father, search my heart and show me my sin. If I grieve  you or offend you, convict me and lead me in the ways of righteousness.