Tools of Satan or Fools for God

But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John. (Luke 7:30)

One of the most serious temptations we each face is the temptation to reject God’s messenger and his message. It is terribly serious because in rejecting that message one also rejects God’s purpose in their life. If we reject God’s purpose, then we are doomed to a futile, frustrating and ultimately foolish existence.

Why did the Pharisees reject John and his message? Could it be that they did not recognize their need for repentance? Or, was it too humbling or inconvenient to be baptized? Did they face rejection or ridicule by their peers? John’s style, language and appearance probably offended their sense of culture, fashion and social status. Maybe they rationalized that John was just trying to use them to build his own following and movement. Perhaps they did not want to follow the teaching of someone who was less theologically educated than they were.

Accepting God’s messages into our life can and usually does shake things up. For us, it meant having many more children than we originally planned on, home education, and moving out of our house in suburbia with its swimming pool. It also meant discovering new friends who were excited about God and hearing Him. It meant having a purpose in life beyond having fun, pursuing a career, raising a family, retiring, and dying. In contrast, the regrets in my life come from the ways in which I’ve either rejected or watered down some of God’s messages into my life. I’ve never been sorry when I’ve allowed God to move me out of my comfort zone. But, I am sorry for the times I’ve clung to my comfort, protected my image or listened to my fears.

By rejecting God’s purpose for themselves, the lawyers and Pharisees kept their comfortable way of life, their self-image, and their superiority. They didn’t have to change anything. They could just continue to follow the dictates of the society they wanted to belong to. Following God’s message may have meant looking foolish to or being rejected by their peers; but, by rejecting God's purpose they became tools of Satan.

Project:
- Purpose to seek God’s message for you personally.
- How are you feeling called by God to change?
- Embrace God’s messages and the changes He is calling for.
- Don’t put it off, but, in some way, no matter how tiny the step, act in the day you hear it.