Good morning!
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!”
Does anyone know who said this?
And no, it’s not in the Bible. Well, sort of….
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!”
Does anyone know who said this?
And no, it’s not in the Bible. Well, sort of….
The writer of
Ecclesiasticus, perhaps Solomon himself, tells us in today’s reading,
“Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
For there is a shame that leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favor.”
Isn’t it wonderful to discover, “Be yourself!” in the Bible?
And it isn’t just encouragement for better self-esteem. Being yourself actually helps keep you from sinning. Shame often leads to sin. If you are ashamed of something you did or your background, you are more likely to lie to cover up what you did or who you really are. Deceiving leads to more deceiving… And more shame that leads to more sin!
Hence, the saying “Oh what a tangled web we weave…” is really true.
Ecclesiasticus also assures us that while it is wrong to be ashamed of who you are, it is not wrong to confess your sins. This is the kind of shame that leads to glory and favor—when we realize our need for a Savior and the emptiness of living only for the pleasures and ambitions of self—and not for serving God. The only “good” shame is the one that brings us back to the Lord to seek His forgiveness!
Unlike the book of James that warns us against the evil nature of the tongue, Ecclesiasticus tells us that we should never be ashamed of sharing our wisdom and speaking up for the truth. There is only shame in ignorance!
How do we become wise? We seek Jesus Christ, the logos (in Greek), which means word, wisdom, or reason/logic. Where do we find our Savior? He is with us now in Spirit, but we also encounter Him in Scripture, in the Word preached in church, and through prayer.
Why would someone want to remain ignorant? Because the truth that sets the repentant soul free from sin also convicts us and makes us uncomfortable with our own selfishness—uncomfortable enough to want to change.
Some people will go to great lengths to avoid change. Amen?
Friends, please remember today as you go about your Monday routine to never be ashamed of being yourself. And never be ashamed to confess your sins! Christ has taken all our sin and shame away!
So, who said “what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”?
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), a Scottish author and novelist.
Will you pray with me?
Almighty God, thank you for sending Your logos, Your Wisdom, in the form of a humble human being to bring light into our darkness. Thank you for providing a way through Jesus Christ that all our sin and shame would be taken away! Help us this day to live as forgiven people, without shame, and free to be who we are in Jesus Christ—new creatures, transformed more and more into His likeness every day! Humble our hearts, Lord, and convict us when we go astray. Draw us to return to You over and over again to seek forgiveness from our sins and reconciliation with you and one another. In Christ we pray. Amen!
Today’s readings are Ecclesiasticus 4:20-5:7; Revelation 7:1-8; Luke 9:51-62; and Psalm 25.
Blessings in Christ!
Pastor Karen
“Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
For there is a shame that leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favor.”
Isn’t it wonderful to discover, “Be yourself!” in the Bible?
And it isn’t just encouragement for better self-esteem. Being yourself actually helps keep you from sinning. Shame often leads to sin. If you are ashamed of something you did or your background, you are more likely to lie to cover up what you did or who you really are. Deceiving leads to more deceiving… And more shame that leads to more sin!
Hence, the saying “Oh what a tangled web we weave…” is really true.
Ecclesiasticus also assures us that while it is wrong to be ashamed of who you are, it is not wrong to confess your sins. This is the kind of shame that leads to glory and favor—when we realize our need for a Savior and the emptiness of living only for the pleasures and ambitions of self—and not for serving God. The only “good” shame is the one that brings us back to the Lord to seek His forgiveness!
Unlike the book of James that warns us against the evil nature of the tongue, Ecclesiasticus tells us that we should never be ashamed of sharing our wisdom and speaking up for the truth. There is only shame in ignorance!
How do we become wise? We seek Jesus Christ, the logos (in Greek), which means word, wisdom, or reason/logic. Where do we find our Savior? He is with us now in Spirit, but we also encounter Him in Scripture, in the Word preached in church, and through prayer.
Why would someone want to remain ignorant? Because the truth that sets the repentant soul free from sin also convicts us and makes us uncomfortable with our own selfishness—uncomfortable enough to want to change.
Some people will go to great lengths to avoid change. Amen?
Friends, please remember today as you go about your Monday routine to never be ashamed of being yourself. And never be ashamed to confess your sins! Christ has taken all our sin and shame away!
So, who said “what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”?
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), a Scottish author and novelist.
Will you pray with me?
Almighty God, thank you for sending Your logos, Your Wisdom, in the form of a humble human being to bring light into our darkness. Thank you for providing a way through Jesus Christ that all our sin and shame would be taken away! Help us this day to live as forgiven people, without shame, and free to be who we are in Jesus Christ—new creatures, transformed more and more into His likeness every day! Humble our hearts, Lord, and convict us when we go astray. Draw us to return to You over and over again to seek forgiveness from our sins and reconciliation with you and one another. In Christ we pray. Amen!
Today’s readings are Ecclesiasticus 4:20-5:7; Revelation 7:1-8; Luke 9:51-62; and Psalm 25.
Blessings in Christ!
Pastor Karen
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