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You know better than that.
Have you ever heard those words as you were getting into trouble? It usually meant a whoopin’ was coming or some other form of punishment. Usually more severe than your friend’s punishment. But according to your momma, you know better than them.
Held to a higher standard.
In the book of Numbers, we come to chapter 15. God has dealt with the children of Israel and their sin for disobeying Him and trying to enter the Promised Land even though He forbid them due to their lack of trust in Him. Now, He makes additional requirements for sacrifices.
“And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.” (Numbers 15:27-30)
Wow! Read that again.
If a man sins out of ignorance, he has a chance to make it up and be forgiven. But if he knew what was to be done, and he blatantly disregarded God’s word, he was severely punished. Why? Because he was held to a higher standard.
He knew better.
When we stand before God, there are people who will be held to a higher standard. More is required of those that teach and preach.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1)
Why?
Because we know better. We have a duty to study the word of God, as it was intended, and to teach accordingly. But many will twist God’s word to try to make it fit their agenda, their cause and justify their sin. Some will preach part of the word, but not the whole word. They pick and choose the parts they like and leave out the parts they don’t. And then there are some that add to the Word of God or even take away from it.
I don’t want to hear my Father say, “you know better”. I want Him to say, “well done, thy good and faithful servant”.
How about you? What are you doing that you know is wrong? Is God telling you, “you know better”? When you read scripture and you realize something you are doing is a sin, are you quick to repent and ask forgiveness? Or do you skip that part and say that’s just for the people of those days, not me?
You know better.
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