2026-05-04
1 Kings 3:9 NKJV
Nearly all key relationships in your life can be broken down into three categories: confidants, constituents, and comrades. Let’s look at each.
(1) Confidants. These are the people whose relationships with you are lifelong. They love you unconditionally, stand by you, and have your back in good times and bad. Your best interest is their number one priority. They never seek to use what they know about you for their own gain or throw your secrets back in your face. Paul said concerning Timothy: “I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character” (Philippians 2:20-22 NKJV).
(2) Constituents. These people share the same goals, values, and principles you have, but they aren’t always there for you. But having constituents in your life is important. They contribute energy, passion, and enthusiasm. And you can work with them to accomplish common goals and build bridges. Just be sure not to expect constituents to have the loyalty of confidants. They are with you for a reason and a season, and then they move on.
(3) Comrades. These are the people who are attracted to you because of what they are against. They may not get to know you, or even like you, but on the field of battle, they join you as soldiers to defeat a common enemy. Once the fight is over, the relationship ends or at least cools. Your only bond is your common enemy.
So, get to know who’s in your life: confidants, constituents, and comrades.
Soul food: Deut 8-10; Matt 7:1-14; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:30-31
2026-05-03
Acts 20:27 NKJV
More than a hundred years ago, William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, spoke prophetically when he said, “The chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, heaven without hell.” That’s as true now as it was then.
Paul exhorted the leaders of the Ephesian church to declare, “The whole counsel of God.” He said: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (vv. 28-31 NKJV).
On the eve of his execution, Paul handed off the baton to his successor Timothy with these words: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables… be watchful… fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5 NKJV).
Soul food: Gen 1:1-2:3; John 1:1-18
Handelinge 20:27 NLV
Meer as honderd jaar gelede het William Booth, die stigter van die Heilsleër, profeties gesê: ‘Die grootste gevaar wat die komende eeu in die gesig staar, sal godsdiens sonder die Heilige Gees, Christendom sonder Christus, vergifnis sonder bekering, verlossing sonder wedergeboorte, politiek sonder God en die hemel sonder die hel wees.’ Dit is vandag net so waar as wat dit toe was.
Paulus het die leiers van die kerk in Efese vermaan om ‘…die volle plan van God…’ ter harte te neem. Hy het gesê: ‘Pas julleself op en die hele kudde oor wie die Heilige Gees julle as ouderlinge aangestel het. Julle moet as herders die kerk van God versorg, dié kerk wat Hy vir Hom verkry het deurdat sy eie Seun gesterf het. Self weet ek dat daar ná my vertrek wrede wolwe onder julle sal indring, en hulle sal die kudde nie spaar nie. Selfs uit julle eie geledere sal daar mense na vore kom wat, deur verdraaide dinge te verkondig, die gelowiges sal probeer verlei om hulle te volg. Daarom: Wakkerloop! Onthou dat ek vir drie jaar lank sonder ophou vir elkeen van julle die regte koers aangedui het, dag en nag, met trane’ (verse 28-31 NLV).
Op die vooraand van sy teregstelling het Paulus die aflosstokkie aan sy opvolger Timoteus met hierdie woorde oorhandig: ‘Verkondig die woord van God. Hou daarmee vol, of die tyd daarvoor geleë is of nie. Jy moet jou mense met geduld reghelp, weerlê en bemoedig met gesonde onderrig. Want daar kom ‘n tyd wanneer mense nie meer na die regte onderrig sal luister nie… Hulle sal die waarheid verwerp en vreemde mites navolg. Maar jy moet in elke situasie jou teenwoordigheid van gees behou… Voltooi die bediening wat God jou gegee het’ (2 Timoteus 4:2-5 NLV).
Sielskos: Gen 1:1-2:3; Joh 1:1-18
2026-05-02
Jakobus 3:6 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘…’n Klein vuurtjie kan ‘n groot bos aan die brand steek. Die tong is ook ‘n vuur…’ (verse 5-6 NLV). Mense wat in ‘n warm klimaat woon, ken die gevaar van verwoestende bosbrande wat deur woestynwinde aangedryf word. ‘n Enkele vonk van ‘n vuurhoutjie het al baie verwoestende brande begin. Hierdie soort vuur versprei vinniger en verder as wat ons ooit kan dink, vernietig huise en besighede ter waarde van miljoene rande en laat ‘n verskroeide landskap en verwoeste lewens agter.
Hoeveel reputasies is al deur so ‘n sorgelose woord verwoes? Die impak van ons woorde versprei wyd en vinnig, veral in hierdie digitale era waarin ons leef. ‘n Woord wat getwiet word, kan binne sekondes oor die hele wêreld hertwiet word. Soos ‘n vuur, kan daardie woord buite beheer raak en onherstelbare skade aanrig. Daarom het Jakobus geskryf: ‘…geen mens kan die tong tem nie’ (vers 8 NLV).
God kan dit egter doen. ‘Maar as die Gees ons lewe beheer, is die gevolg… selfbeheersing…’ (Galasiërs 5:22-23 NLV). Die Heilige Gees kan ‘n tong wat skinderstories versprei in een wat God verheerlik, verander. Hy kan ‘n tong wat bitterheid spoeg neem en dit in een wat seën spreek, verander.
Om te skinder is om iets agter iemand se rug te sê wat jy nooit in daardie persoon se gesig sou sê nie. Om te vlei is om iets in iemand se gesig te sê wat jy nooit agter daardie persoon se rug sou sê nie. Albei is egter verkeerd. Laat ons dus saam met die Psalmdigter bid: ‘Mag die woorde van my mond… vir U aanneemlik wees…’ (Psalm 19:15 NLV).
Sielskos: Deut 5-7; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 37:8-15; Spr 11:27-29
James 3:6 NLT
The Bible says, “A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And… the tongue is a flame of fire” (vv. 5-6 NLT). People living in hot climates know the danger of ravaging bushfires driven by desert winds and can readily identify with these words: “See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (v. 5 NKJV). A single spark from a match has started many massive fires. Spreading faster and farther than we might ever imagine, that kind of fire destroys homes and businesses worth millions of dollars, leaving a scorched landscape and devastated lives.
Similarly, how many reputations have been ruined by a careless word? The impact of our words spreads far and fast, especially in our digital age. A word tweeted anywhere can be retweeted all over the world in seconds. Like a fire, that word can get out of control and do irreparable damage. Hence James wrote: “No man can tame the tongue” (v. 8 NKJV).
But God can. “The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). The Holy Spirit can take a tongue that peddles gossip and turn it into one that brings glory to God. He can take a tongue that spews bitterness and turn it into one that speaks blessing.
Gossip is saying something behind someone’s back that you would never say to that person’s face. Flattery is saying something to someone’s face that you would never say behind the person’s back. And both are wrong. So, let’s join the Psalmist in praying: “May these words of my mouth… be pleasing in your sight, Lord” (Psalm 19:14 NIV).
Soul food: Deut 5-7; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:27-29
