But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. – 1 Samuel 15:9

Today's Scripture Reading (May 25, 2025): 1 Samuel 15

I admit that I struggle with this entire passage. I will always struggle with the killing of innocents, and I wonder if the message here might be corrupted. I also admit that the seeds of my sin are also found in this passage. The seed of pride that strikes Saul in this passage also strikes me. Sin says that I know better; my timing is better than what God is offering. Part of our response is to reply, "I know God said to do this, but he didn't mean that." As a result, we trade what should be important for what is less critical because of our bias.

Saul and I share the same sin here, but it is interesting where we draw the line. For me, it is killing the innocents; for Saul, it is destroying things that have monetary value. Both exhibit a sin that says that we know better. My only defense is that I am responding with what I would see as the love of Jesus to the less fortunate. As I said, this is an area of struggle for me.

I had a discussion, not long ago, with a man that I greatly respect and still do, even though I disagree with him on this one point. The subject of our discussion was gossip. I am convinced that we (all of us, including me) are addicted to gossip. My friend disagreed and asserted that gossip was just part of the church and that I needed to get used to it. Again, my friend seemed to argue that he knew better than God. I still maintain that one of the significant threats to the church is how we disseminate information about each other and those with whom we are in a relationship. Gossip can potentially tear down the 21st-century church, and it really comes down to selfishness; who I am and what I am are more important than who or what you are. It is a sin against community. Just read some of Paul's responses to this sin.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29 - NIV).

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31 - NIV).

For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.  They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Titus 1:10-11 (NIV)

I won't go on. We have sin in our midst that is out of control. Why do we struggle to love one another? We may not agree with each other, but we often react with venom over the beliefs of the other. All of us. Where is the point where we allow God's Prophet to come to us and ask, "What did God say to you?"

In his book "Congregational Megatrends" Jeff Woods talks about some of these issues. He says that a lot of what we term to be Christian behavior (and here is talking about extra-biblical regulations) finds its roots in a North American culture that is primarily religious but not necessarily Christian. As a result, we exhibit the pride of being real Christians apart from those who are just Christian in name. 

Pride is the root of Saul's problem; pride was the root of the Pharisee's problem, and pride continues to be our problem. What is God asking us for? I don't think we need an audible voice. Our repentance is required, which is found in the concept that we know better than God, and we need to stop trying to tell God what he should do.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16