Shine On!

Scripture: Daniel 12:3 (NLT)

³ Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

Devotion:

            These words from the prophet Daniel should serve as a call to action for all those who seek God's wisdom and are determined to illuminate those around them. In a world where the wisdom of this world often guides leadership, the Bible warns us that this wisdom is not the true path to living. The writer of James clearly distinguishes between earthly wisdom and the heavenly wisdom we should urgently seek.

            James says this about earthly wisdom in 3:14-16: “^14. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” The world is obviously running according to this sort of wisdom. There are all kinds of falsehoods that our world proclaims as being wise, healthy, and authentic. Yet over and over again, they run those who practice them into a ditch from which no one but God can rescue them.

            The number one lie our culture is currently entertaining is that biological sex and gender are two different things. The supposed wise among us say that sex and gender are things that are changeable according to the whim of our minds. This kind of thinking has done more to injure the souls of many people than anything humans have devised previously. It injures especially vulnerable children who are now given powers beyond their ability to comprehend. They believe the adults who tell them that “transitioning” will solve all their problems.

            This discussion seems to have strayed far from our original scriptural base in Daniel. But I have done so to show the darkness that occurs whenever humans stray from the pattern God has set up for us. To quote James again from chapter 3 verses 17 and 18, “¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Those who are wise by heaven’s standards would never use people’s mental fragility for their own evil purposes. They would seek the things that lead to peace between a person’s mind and body. They would expose transgenderism for the cruel lie that it is. Therefore, let those of us who see the error and danger of transgenderism stand up and speak out about what we know is a lie from the pit of hell. May our lives shine like the stars in heaven forever.

Prayer:

            Lord, give us all a generous portion of your heavenly wisdom. Please help us to stand up for those too young and vulnerable to stand up for themselves. May the world see the example of our compassion and love toward all people and judge it as true and beautiful. Cleanse us from any stain of sin so that our witness for you may be pure and undefiled. Please help us to live righteous lives without becoming self-righteous. Glory to you, O King of all Creation, who created this world from nothing. May we eliminate the scourge of sin from among us, and may we let you judge those who spread lies and falsehoods about your good creation. Amen.