Several years ago I heard a sermon entitled “A Monkey with a Match”. I don’t remember anything about the sermon, but I’ve never forgotten the title. Put a match in the hands of a monkey, that has no sense of value for life or property, and he can destroy in minutes what it took man years to build. It only takes a spark to set a forest fire that can destroy many lives and millions of dollars in property. And often one misstep, one misspoken word, one wrong turn can do untold damage. We can do things that we can never undo. Although we might confess and receive forgiveness the consequences continue — some for a lifetime. For that reason great care should be exercised. The word “circumspectly” means “exactly, accurately, diligently”. It’s like we are walking in a mine field where one wrong step could destroy us. We dare not be careless.
Danger is ever near. We need to realize that every—
— nation is just one election away from destruction.
— church is just one temper tantrum away from a split.
— marriage is just one affair away from a divorce.
— family is just one argument away from a family feud.
— reputation is just one sin away from ruin.
— unbeliever is just on breath away from hell.
