Color
Blind
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you
will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature
Galatians 5:16
Art and Linda placed an online ad for
someone to care for their two dogs for a week. So far, not one of the
candidates interviewed had met their expectations. Hopefully, their
three o’clock appointment would.
Arriving promptly at three, a teenage
girl sporting a bright smile knocked on the door. Looking through the
peep, Art was immediately ready to disregard her as well. Although
looking very capable, she was outrageously dressed. She had on a red
blouse, pink skirt, one yellow sock and one pale blue one. I’ll
bet she’s one of those punk rockers, or something…he figured.
Opening the door, Art couldn’t help but ask, “Young lady, why are
you dressed that way?”
Her answer was immediate and direct, “I
am color blind, Sir. Does that present a problem?”
“Well, it might,” he said. “Our
dog, Brutus, requires medicine each day. Since he is grey and Boca is
light brown, how will you know which one to give the pill to?”
She thought for a moment, and then
asked, “Does Brutus come on command?”
“Yes!” Art responded, immediately
grasping her reasoning.
“Then,” she replied confidently,
“all I have to do is call his name. I will give the pill to the dog
who responds.”
“I like the way you think, young
lady,” Art said, laughing. “Let’s discuss the arrangements.”
†
There is a saying that within each of
us are two dogs; one good (white), and one evil (black). Whichever
dog we feed becomes the stronger of the two. Most Christians do their
best to feed the white dog.
But what happens when we can’t tell
the difference because of spiritual color blindness? Many times we
wind up feeding the black dog. Conceivably because we fail to view
our harmful habits for what they truly are. Or perhaps it’s because
we enjoy the danger of petting the black dog occasionally. Whatever
the reason, it is unwise and unsafe.
Paul told Timothy that the only way to
be sure which dog he fed was to live by the Spirit, and judge the
dog, not by color, but by its spirit.
Prayer
“Father, give me
discernment to know when evil comes cloaked in white. In Jesus’
Name, amen.”
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