Take Heed to Yourself

Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Today’s Text: Luke 17:1-10

Key Verse: Luke 17:3 (KJV): “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

There is one thing that offense does to most believers if not all of us; it refocuses our lenses on other people rather than on us. It makes us pay attention to others. But, in this text, Jesus addresses to us to “take heed to yourselves if your brother offend you…” The word rendered take heed is to watch, give careful thought, or pay attention to yourselves. The Lord sees our tendency to take the seat of judgment on the sins of others, and become so easily moved to condemn them. Whereas, failing to realize how they themselves so easily fall into the into some personal fault, trap and/or danger.

In the text before us, Jesus tells us a few of those dangerous flaws we may fall into if our focus lenses are on others rather than on ourselves regardless of what they have done. One of such is the failure to rebuke in love. Most Christians stop at mouthing cliché, and, in real life, fail to practice open friendly reproof that aims at restoration. Another fault or flaw is the failure to walk in the path of forgiveness.

The text bothers on offenses; and our Lord here presents us the best ways to deal with it. He wants his followers to turn their attention away from offenses committed by others to their own inner selves. As a believer your life matters to God. You are worth much more than issues and offenses. In essence, you must give careful thoughts to yourself even when you feel the heat of hurts. Otherwise, you would make careless estimation of situations, of self, and of others. Jesus wants you to keep your passions under control so that you’re preserved from resentments and hurts of injuries.

Quote for the Day: “Angry passion cannot reproof in love, neither can a quarrelsome temper forgive. None of these dispositions are consistent with spirit of Christ.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the heart of a child: a heart that can bear hurts in Your healing grace and strength. Please empower me to love, forgive, heal and restore— in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]

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