Read Psalm 7:11-16 11 God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day. 12 If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. 14 He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. 15 He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. 16 The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.
I suppose we have all our encounters with vindictive, manipulative people and it’s not pleasant. These are people who shape the truth, bend situations and circumstances, and devise schemes to make sure they come out on top or that they get their own way at other’s expense. It’s a dangerous thing to get between them and their objectives. You have to be extremely wise when you deal with schemers and manipulators.
Not long ago, I told a young man who unfortunately had gotten in the crosshairs of one of these manipulators and schemers, “Be careful. Don’t meet with this individual by yourself. Chances are, what you say in that meeting is not the same thing he will say when you walk out of the meeting.”
We need to heed the old warning: “Be careful whom you trust.” We live in a fallen world and unfortunately too many of us are too gullible. We get pulled to these domineering personalities and into being used up and spat out. But, don’t assume that these dishonest manipulators will not be held accountable.
Psalm 7:14-16 has a word for these people. Here are several observations. First, manipulation and evil schemes will return to the person. No one ever gets away with evil or with manipulation. Second, the price for using and hurting others is too expensive. Next time you want to get even with somebody, you may want to ask yourself, “Do I really want to pay that price?”
Galatians 6:7-8 describes the law of sowing and reaping. You, your family or those who are close to you may pay for what you have done. It’s not just you. It could be the people close to you that will reap the harvest of evil and manipulation. I’m not so sure you want to pay that price. Likewise if you treat people with love and consideration (even if it is not a benefit to you), you will reap a harvest of blessing and favor.
We are called to do what is right and not what is convenient or personally beneficial. Remember we will reap what we sow.
-Crawford W. Loritts-
Responding - Do I have a tendency to try and get back at others who do me wrong? Am I prepared to allow my loved one to pay the price?
Following - Be careful, evil schemes will return to you.
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