ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (SEPTEMBER 1, 2012)

Wrong Conclusions

Matthew 9:32-34


"And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'"
(Matthew 9:33)

When I moved to the south, I loved the year-round greenery. But that first winter, a cypress tree near our home lost its green needles. The bare branches stood in sharp contrast to the lush palm trees and shrubs. I concluded that it died, but soon learned I was wrong. This type of cypress loses its leaves each winter and grows a new, green canopy in the spring.

When Jesus healed the mute man, the crowd drew some conclusions. Clearly, a marvel had occurred. They may have seen other exorcisms, but this one was special. Still, Matthew did not say they believed Jesus was the Messiah. They concluded that He worked wonders, nothing more.

The Pharisees also drew some very wrong conclusions, saying Jesus' power came from Satan. They preferred this deduction to the truth that Jesus was the Son of God.

As God is at work in our lives, we can draw conclusions based on our limited view. But those inferences will often be wrong. Right conclusions will be based on the truth of who God is, not on who we think He is.

INSIGHT
WHAT DIFFICULTY ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THAT MIGHT LEAD YOU TO WRONG CONCLUSIONS? BASE YOUR CONCLUSIONS ON GOD'S CHARACTER RATHER THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 13-14
Psalm 110
Romans 11-12

Matthew 9:32-34
New International Version (NIV)
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”


TAKE OFF THE MASK
with Keith & Kristyn Getty

Masks aren't only for Halloween. Many Christians wear one on a daily basis and don't even realize it. How does a Christian take off the mask? Click "LISTEN" and be encouraged!