The speaker warned when it comes to evildoers, God has "loaded the dice" against them. This practically matched the classic title of a church sermon on The Andy Griffith Show - a title which won the preacher praise from Barney Fife for being clever.
Yet we heard that warning from a real-life church pastor (now deceased) - and he has a valid point. The Bible had a warning along those lines, long before those men came along....
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. - Psalm 34:14
Some people go to poker nights to have fun. We'd like to think most of them do. But sadly, a few may show up seeking trouble. If that describes you, God has this warning:
..The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. - Psalm 34:16
The word evil can refer to many things. Look at what this psalm emphasizes:
..Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. - Psalm 34:13Evil things can be done with words, every bit as much as actions. Yet make no mistake....
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. - Galatians 6:7-8The Bible warns our actions will have a payoff - whether we're at the poker table or outside. Wise actions will be rewarded; it could happen in this life, but most assuredly in the life to come. Evildoing will be punished as well, with destruction authorized by God.
The game of life ultimately is that simple. How will you choose to act in it?
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