Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

BENEDICT ARNOLD Throughout North America, Benedict Arnold is synonymous with "traitor." He turned his back on his own country, gave away military secrets, and joined the enemy army. He died despondent and bitter. But are you aware that each person lives with a Benedict Arnold? The Benedict Arnold with which we live is that tiny tool in our heads which expresses our thoughts, the tongue. Jesus said it is sure to betray us: For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). We might keep our innermost thoughts secret for awhile, but eventually they spill out in the words we say. Paul told young Titus to be an example, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Paul knew that for him to do this, he must have a pure heart. Our tongues are merely the means of exploding the charge in our hearts. This is why Jesus talked about man's inner life. He says sin originates there and transgression must be stopped at its source. Lust and hatred are born in the unregenerate heart. Unchecked, they spill over in the form of immorality and violence. As pastor of the island church of Crete, Titus dealt daily with men who were braggarts--vain and profane. He was discouraged and, apparently, wanted to leave. This precipitated the letter from Paul. The apostle tells Titus: For this reason I left you in Crete (Titus 1:5). Although things were not pleasant, Titus needed to remain faithful. Two lessons are vividly taught in this book. First, we must keep our tongue--and this means keeping our hearts pure. Then, no matter how rough our lot in life, God has places of service right where we are. May we be found faithful today!