AUGUST 1, Romans 12:10

This month we shall look at different types of wrong behaviour. As the Bible is our authoritative book for faith and practice, we shall address why the behaviour is wrong.

Let’s start with a story on playing pranks. James is the joker of his class. When his classmates laugh at his jokes and pranks, he loves the attention he gets. They all really like him. Quite the opposite of James is Linda, a quiet girl in his class. No one really talks much to her, because she is quiet and she also stutters.

One day, James decides to do something which he thinks is funny and will trick his classmates. On arriving at school, he puts on a glum face which of course puzzles his friends. They start to approach him to find out what is wrong with him.

“I… chok..ed…ed..oooon….t..t..he… ap…ap…ple…”, James starts to speak, and with great difficulty. His pretentious act works, for it draws more and more of his friends, even quiet Linda, to crowd around him. His classmates are all in shock. James tries so hard to explain why he is speaking in a stammering manner. Suddenly, laughing out loudly, James explodes, “Gotcha, I don’t stutter!” This really hurts Linda who walks away quickly. All can see her crying in the corner.

It is perfectly alright to crack jokes and play pranks on friends but sometimes we may get carried away like James. Today’s reading describes the love Christians should have for other Christians. Love is showing kindness and affection. We have the example of Jesus Christ to follow. As Christians, we must love others, not only fellow Christians, but even more so, the non-Christians.

Thought: Have you purposed in your heart to be kind and loving towards others, Christians and non-Christians alike?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me that I must not have fun at the expense of others. I have been unkind towards my friends before, please forgive me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.