Day 2: Live as if everything you do is seen!
READ IT
Ephesians 5:6-13
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
TAKE IT TO HEART
You are being watched
Most of us have some type of interaction with an artificial intelligence assistant during the course of our day. Some of us might have an Alexa in our house, while some might have Google Homes. Those with iPhones have conversations with Siri on a daily basis about one thing or another.
Speaking of AI, have you ever noticed an ad pop up on your social media or news feeds that dealt with a recent conversation you had with someone? For example, you do not have a dog, but you might have seen a lot of ads for dog food after spending time with your friends who frequently talk about their dogs. AI is always there listening, so it can leverage data points to know what kind of advertising might be compelling.
Truthfully, we are always being observed. Our neighbors, friends, family, children, and anyone else we are around are noticing how we carry ourselves. Most importantly, our Father in heaven is watching us. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good.”
While that might seem unnerving to some, it should be a comfort. Those of us with smaller children know what it’s like to always be watching those we love. When I am having conversations with our friends at gatherings, my eyes are usually scanning the environment for my kids and what they’re doing. If my six-year-old decides to attempt a death-defying jump from a high place, I am quick to tell him that's not a good idea. I am not trying to take away his fun. I am trying to keep him safe because I love him very much.
While it is hard at times to hear God tell us not to do something that could harm our spiritual walk, I do feel that we as Christians can feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit. I can think of several times in my life that I felt a “Get out of here” before I sinned. More often than not, I listen to that prompting, but sometimes I fail. God is watching us as a father does, and He is trying to keep us safe from the darkness that is in the world.
Verse eight in today’s verses tells us we are children of light. While God is watching us, so are everyone else. Live a life worthy of the calling of Christ. Live a life that creates questions in others’ minds. Let them ask, “Why does that person seem to have a hope I do not?” Have them ask, “What is so different about that person’s life than mine?” Also, have an answer ready for those questions because one day, those around you just might come and ask you that question face-to-face.
LIVE IT
• Think of a time that God was watching and warned you of an unfortunate experience. How did that make you feel to know the Creator was watching you?
• Think of a time that God was watching and warned you of an unfortunate experience, but you did not listen. What prevented you from listening and following God’s guidance?
• Pray: Father, thank You for always watching me and caring for me. Help me listen to Your voice and the Holy Spirit’s prompting so that I might be a better witness for You.
GO DEEPER
Read Psalms 121. Meditate on the fact that God watches over His children. Answer the question in verse one that says, “Where does my help come from?”
Ephesians 5:6-13
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
TAKE IT TO HEART
You are being watched
Most of us have some type of interaction with an artificial intelligence assistant during the course of our day. Some of us might have an Alexa in our house, while some might have Google Homes. Those with iPhones have conversations with Siri on a daily basis about one thing or another.
Speaking of AI, have you ever noticed an ad pop up on your social media or news feeds that dealt with a recent conversation you had with someone? For example, you do not have a dog, but you might have seen a lot of ads for dog food after spending time with your friends who frequently talk about their dogs. AI is always there listening, so it can leverage data points to know what kind of advertising might be compelling.
Truthfully, we are always being observed. Our neighbors, friends, family, children, and anyone else we are around are noticing how we carry ourselves. Most importantly, our Father in heaven is watching us. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good.”
While that might seem unnerving to some, it should be a comfort. Those of us with smaller children know what it’s like to always be watching those we love. When I am having conversations with our friends at gatherings, my eyes are usually scanning the environment for my kids and what they’re doing. If my six-year-old decides to attempt a death-defying jump from a high place, I am quick to tell him that's not a good idea. I am not trying to take away his fun. I am trying to keep him safe because I love him very much.
While it is hard at times to hear God tell us not to do something that could harm our spiritual walk, I do feel that we as Christians can feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit. I can think of several times in my life that I felt a “Get out of here” before I sinned. More often than not, I listen to that prompting, but sometimes I fail. God is watching us as a father does, and He is trying to keep us safe from the darkness that is in the world.
Verse eight in today’s verses tells us we are children of light. While God is watching us, so are everyone else. Live a life worthy of the calling of Christ. Live a life that creates questions in others’ minds. Let them ask, “Why does that person seem to have a hope I do not?” Have them ask, “What is so different about that person’s life than mine?” Also, have an answer ready for those questions because one day, those around you just might come and ask you that question face-to-face.
LIVE IT
• Think of a time that God was watching and warned you of an unfortunate experience. How did that make you feel to know the Creator was watching you?
• Think of a time that God was watching and warned you of an unfortunate experience, but you did not listen. What prevented you from listening and following God’s guidance?
• Pray: Father, thank You for always watching me and caring for me. Help me listen to Your voice and the Holy Spirit’s prompting so that I might be a better witness for You.
GO DEEPER
Read Psalms 121. Meditate on the fact that God watches over His children. Answer the question in verse one that says, “Where does my help come from?”