1 Samuel 15-16, Luke 10:25-42 • Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15:23
Words fitly spoken are said to be like apples of gold. That familiar line stresses the importance of
well-chosen words. Mark Twain said that the difference between the right word and the almostright word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.
God chooses His words well. Careful attention should be paid to what He says and the words
with which He says it. While the language of today seeks to minimize sin, God does not. It is
striking to see the two bold statements found in 1 Samuel 15:23.
First, the open insurrection of rebellion is said to be the equivalent of “divination. People may
call rebellion what they want, but God associates it with forms of spiritism and human sacrifice.
When a person rebels against God, he is serving the one who is opposed to God. To rebel is to
join forces with Satan.
Second, the pushy presumption called arrogance is linked to idolatry, the superstitious worship
of household gods. An arrogant person refuses to submit to the commands of God and is in
essence the worshiper of other gods.
The rebellious and arrogant person is following the path of a Satan- serving idolater—strong
words that remind us how repulsive sin is to God.
Call sin what God calls it. His words are fitly spoken.
“Lord, help me see things as You see them so 1 can know what truly is sin. Keep me from the
temptation to find other words for wrongful things, and help me to remember that renaming does
not change wrong to right.”

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in