Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Sleeping with One Eye Open”
“…jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.” – Proverbs 6:34 (NIV)

Hollywood has its way of creating a lot of story lines all with the intent of getting both our attention and our money. Writers and producers seek to appeal to our senses, be it through laughter, anger, romance, adventure, and yes, what may be the strongest of them all…revenge. The “Jilted Lover” is a theme that seems to run prominently whether it is on the big screen or made-for-television movies or weekly shows. If you are like me and watch any of the following shows: CSI (pick any city you want); NCIS (my favorite!); Law & Order (SVU or Criminal Intent); Criminal Minds…and the list goes on, what you will find is that a number of crimes they investigate have to do with someone extracting revenge upon another for stealing that person’s spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, or something that means a great deal to that person. These story lines may seem a bit over the top but in truth this has been going on long before the studios in Los Angeles were even built. It was happening long before we were even a nation—it has been a part of humanity for a long, long time!
I am going to resist the temptation to use an illustration here—rather I am going straight for the jugular and give what I believe is the main message that this entire passage is aiming at and it is this: If you do what is right—purpose to live under God’s Law—keep your eyes focused on what is pure, true, good, righteous, praiseworthy (see Philippians 4:8), then accidents aside, you reduce the risk of physical harm to your person from and by others to the lowest degree. On the other hand—there is a reason why there are so many stories portrayed, whether they be in print or on the screen, and it has to do with the number of situations throughout history that prove what the Scriptures declare; “We all like sheep have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6) or, “There is none righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) I am also going to resist the temptation to limit this solely on adulterous relationships because sin and evil cannot be contained to one specific arena or concept, but it comes down to this one all-consuming truth: When we pursue to fulfill our needs, goals, hungers and desires outside of the boundaries designed and set by the One who created this life—then be prepared to sleep with one eye open because peace and joy and hope will be hard to come by.
I am not saying that God will be out to seek revenge—I firmly believe that I serve a God of love, grace, mercy and hope. But from the beginning mankind has realized that there is a mechanism inside each of us and it is called—conviction!
Just like the word sin (from my message a couple of days ago) we don’t hear this word (conviction) very often any more. Since conviction comes as a result of sin—and since so many do not like to admit that sin exists—then how would people know how to react to conviction? But there is a reason why conviction exists and are you ready for this? It is all about love!
God loves us and is jealous for us! He wants us all to Himself and does not want to share us with another—and I don’t think it takes too much imagination to know who He does not want to share us with. Conviction is God’s method to keep us safely in His care—and any pain or guilt we experience is meant to bring us back to Him. Hollywood likes to portray God as an angry, vengeful, uncaring entity—who wants nothing more than to find ways to make us miserable. They see God as the “Jilted Lover.” I prefer to see Him as the complete opposite who wants to keep us safe—allowing us to sleep with both eyes closed—peacefully.
If you love Jesus—serve Him! Don’t seek pleasure outside of what He wants for you and your heart will remain safe.
Pastor J. T. Carnell