Words and Actions

Sometimes people fail to keep their word.

Saul spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David. But Saul's son Jonathan took great delight in David.  Jonathan told David, "My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself.  I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you."  Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, "The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you;  for he took his life in his hand when he attacked the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against an innocent person by killing David without cause?"  Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death." - 1 Samuel 19:1-6

Saul was jealous of David and that jealousy clouded his mind. 

Today we read that Saul tells his son, Jonathan and his servants he wants to kill David, and Jonathan goes to warn David.

But Jonathan does something else that will end up costing him his life.  He tries to convince his father to back off, and his father appeases him, saying he will not kill David.

Maybe Saul believed he would spare David at that moment, and that is why he swore to God, but in the end, he turns, and sets out to kill Jonathan's friend.

It is so tempting to believe that we have changed someone's mind and set them straight, but that isn't always the case.  Even when they claim to be set straight, they may still turn.

So, do we not believe a change of heart is possible?

Repentance is a personal matter.  It cannot be forced on someone.  They may succumb to our pressure and say they will change, but change has to come from the heart, mind and soul.

We can't force change in someone else.  We can only choose to change ourselves.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to convince people the path they have taken will lead to ruin, but we must be practical as well.  Who are we to judge others?

They may see our way as foolish and weak. 

So, what do we do?

What should Jonathan have done? 

I don't believe there is one answer for that.  Jonathan was trying to change his father and he chose to believe him when he said he would spare his friend's life.  But he knows his father, and he knows he can say one thing and do another.

That's the practical side of the equation.  Change is hard and it has to be from within to be real.

People can talk a god talk and convince us they hear and agree, but their actions are what we should pay attention to.

Sometimes, talking alone is not enough to avoid conflict and despair.

So, we pray for help from the Holy Spirit and we pray for wisdom to know the truth.  That way we can determine whether the words will match the actions, or not.

More to come...