Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7, NIV)
Earlier this year, I was at a tournament. I walked by a player on my way to the 18th green who was visibly upset. I asked a rules official outside the scoring tent what happened, and she said the player had self-reported a rules violation for brushing the sand in a bunker—the result was a two-stroke penalty.
The self-reporting aspect of golf can test a player far more than talent or skill.
I recently wrestled with a decision that I took to God, saying something along the lines of, “God, I want to honor you in this situation, but I don’t want to cause more trouble for myself than is absolutely necessary.”
Translation: Is there any way I can get out of this?
A few minutes after I said that prayer, I went on a walk and cued up the next sermon on my podcast list. The sermon’s title: “Deception.”
For the next 25 minutes, I listened to Dr. Ed Young detail Jacob’s deceiving ways in his “Winning Walk” series.
Needless to say, I had my answer!
In Galatians, Paul warns: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, NIV)
Even innocent errors in a game that ultimately yield no advantage but still break the rules can eat up our insides if not confessed. It’s easier to call a penalty on ourselves than live with the consequences of a lie.
There were severe consequences when Jacob dressed up like his brother to deceive his father and receive Esau’s blessing (Genesis 27). Not to mention the fact that Jacob’s mother designed this elaborate hoax.
Sometimes when faced with a moral dilemma, we call upon people we know will help talk us into doing what we want to do rather than what we should do. Even well-meaning people who love us and want what’s best can lead us astray.
When faced with a moral dilemma, seek God first for direction. He will always point us toward the truth!
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for forgiving us of the times we fail to live in truth and light. Thank you for teaching us a better way.