3 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
Leviticus 16:29-18:30
Mark 7:24-8:10
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 10:15-16
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Psalm 41:6 (NLT): “They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
In Psalm 41, the writer lamented his condition. Apparently, his health had failed, and it looked like he could die.
Yet, insult was added to injury because his “friends” were talking badly about him. When they visited, they would say kind things, but his “friends” talked horribly about him when they left.
All of us are capable of behaving in this duplicitous way. To one extent or another, any one of us can say kind things to someone and then utter horrible things about them when we leave their presence.
There are a couple of words that describe this kind of person:
Hypocrite
Two-faced
As much as we despise it in others, we may be guilty of it ourselves. As much as it would mortify us to hear that others have mistreated us with such duplicity, we might be guilty of treating others in this way.
Let this morning’s Psalm remind us of how sinful and hurtful these sorts of actions can be. And then let us commit, by God’s grace and strength, to never do such things again.
Psalm 41:6 (NLT): “They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.”
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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