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January 07, 2007

Suggested Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:30-32

Death In The Pot

"So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof."
II Kings 4:40

The sons of the prophets in Gilgal were entertaining their teacher, the great prophet Elisha. But it was a time of famine and drought, and food was scarce. Elisha instructs them to gather what vegetables they could find and put them in the common pot for a meal of soup. One of the young men came upon a vine laden with gourds and jubilantly brings them in. They are shredded into the boiling pot of vegetables. But when they tried to eat it they became violently ill. They were "poisoned cucumbers," common in Palestine, probably the same as the vine which grew over Jonah's head (Jonah 4:6). One ingredient spoiled the whole meal. All the other ingredients were excellent but the addition of this one mess of gourds made all the rest unpalatable and worthless. How true this is in our Christian experience. One little habit, one unyielded faculty, one unsurrendered sin can undo our entire testimony. How many Christians are hindered and limited in their testimony because of some worldly practice, some pet sin they will not surrender. What is there in your life which you know is the "death in the pot" and which hinders your witness for Him? People will overlook all the other virtues you may have, and judge you only by this one inconsistent fruit of the flesh. Surrender it today and know the joy of victory.

"I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).

MRD

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