Title: Making Fun of People?
Memorize: Whoever guards his mouth and tongue. Keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV)
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 2:23-25 (NKJV)
[23] Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”
[24] So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.
[25] Then he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
Today’s Powerful Confession: I confess today that I trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear. He provides a way of escape in every trial and empowers me to walk in righteousness and resist all forms of evil. Through the Holy Spirit’s leading, I overcome temptations and submit completely to God’s will, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Hallelujah!
Message:
Today’s Bible text sounds a great warning to young people against making unguarded comments about other people or their looks.
At that time in Israel, Elijah was one of the most popular prophets, so we know that these children knew him.
However, they threw caution to the wind and made fun of his bald head.
In response, the man of God cursed them, and they became food for the two bears.
Making fun of people’s looks, failures, or character is a sign of immaturity and foolishness.
A jester forgets that God is the Creator of all and laughing at His creation is a direct insult to Him.
Young people need to be careful not to fall into a snare by the words of their mouths or what they post on social media. Some of them go to the extent of abusing or cursing genuine men of God online.
Some young people laugh at the grammatical blunders of their pastor or teacher and, in the process, miss out on God’s blessings for them in that encounter.
I pray that you will not destroy your future with carelessness in Jesus’ name.
Key Point:
Father, please forgive me if I have ever made jest of any of your creations.
HYMN 21 – I Want to be Like Jesus
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one mark’d an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak,
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.
3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To anyone unkind.
4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said
“He hath done what he could.”
5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
“Let little children come to Me;”
I would obey the call.
6. But oh I’m not like Jesus,
As anyone may see;
O gentle Saviour, send Thy grace,
And make me like to Thee
Bible Reading In One Year: Isaiah 60-63
Authors: Pastor E.A Adeboye
Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye