2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 1:1-2:22 ESV, 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 ESV, Psalm 52:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 22:26-27 ESV
Daily Verse: “Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.” (2 Corinthians 10:7 ESV)
LOGIZOMAI (3049): “To take an inventory, i.e., estimate. Primarily signifies “to reckon” whether by calculation or imputation.”[i]
Take an inventory.
Paul faced opposition from the Corinthians. They tried to undermine Paul by casting doubt on his authority as an apostle. Paul’s attackers knew if they could cause converts to lose faith in his credentials, they wouldn’t believe the apostle’s teachings.
Instead of trying to discourage the converts from testing his credentials, Paul questioned the criteria used. In other words, the Corinthians tried to lead the converts on a rabbit trail:
“It’s a confusing maze of pointless leads. In short, a rabbit trail leads (us) nowhere. It serves only to confuse the prey/the reader. It keeps them preoccupied and confused.” Using English.com
Stay on task.
Following Jesus requires focus. Losing sight of the task at hand happens without realizing we do it. Our minds can spiral down a path we never intended to take.
My mind tends to jump to the worst-case scenario quickly. A few weeks ago, a friend ran late and didn’t call or text. After an hour, my mind had her in a ditch somewhere dead.
Running behind, she forgot to text. Because her car insurance gives her a discount for not touching her phone while driving, she couldn’t contact me. My mind went on an unnecessary rabbit trail, leading me away from reason.
Paul pointed the Corinthians back to the truth when they went on a rabbit trail. Instead of discouraging their investigation, he helped them stay on task. Keeping the Son in your eyes will lead you on the straight and narrow, but when we look away, we find ourselves spiraling down rabbit trails.
Encourage people to investigate Jesus, and let them ask questions. God’s not afraid of interrogation; He understands the human heart. Seeking leads to Jesus. Encourage people to stay focused on Christ when their minds begin to wander.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 152) Thomas Nelson
