Scripture
Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.
~1 Samuel 15:24 (CSB)
Quote
You can’t judge a book by looking at the cover.
~Naola B. Bailey
I’m sure the quote above was not original with mother but she used so often it stuck in my brain…“You can’t judge a book, by looking at its cover.” Saul looked like a king. He was 6’8″ and handsome but looks can be deceiving. Once Samuel realized that Saul was anything but a king, he started looking for another. But Samuel worked covertly because he knew Saul was a mad man. In his second search, the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (CSB) Saul was deeply flawed. I think he was pathological. I don’t know if he was a psychopath or a sociopath. If I understand correctly, there is a slight difference between the psychopath and the sociopath: that being the psychopath has no conscience at all. A sociopath has some qualms of guilt but not enough to affect his behavior. Both have the ability to fake repentance. Although neither has the ability to empathize [feel what your feeling] they can pretend to be empathetic. Both are supreme actors with the ability to deceive the unsuspecting. They are pathological liars. Both can control their emotions: turn them off and on at a heartbeat. Both can maintain visual contact with the eyes in a tense situations. In laymens terms, they can stair you don’t. Saul has all the symptoms including his violent outburst. Samuel sent Saul on a mission with explicit instructions. Saul did not carry out Samuel orders. When Samuel confronted Saul he got a series of excuses. First Saul blamed his troops then he offered a flimsy alibi or two or three. He tried to rationalize his transgression. For example he said he kept the plunder from the Amalekite raid so he could make an offering to the LORD. Saul was making up one lie after the other to cover his tracks. When he realizes that Samuel is going to distance himself from him, he fakes a repentance and begs Samuel to accompany him to worship as a show of unity before the people. Samuel never trusted him again and avoided contact with him.
I came across a statement by Warren W. Wiersbe yesterday. Dr. Wiersbe said, “After over fifty years in the ministry, I am convinced that most of the problems in families and churches are caused by professed Christians who do not have a real relations to Christ. They are not humble peacemakers but arrogant trouble makers.” I think he is right on. There is an easy litmus test if you want to know the truth: are you repentant or are you faking? When was the last time you confessed and repented of a sin? If you don’t have the spirit of repentance now, you’ve never had it. If you are still blaming others for all your faults or making excuses for you poor behavior and lack of commitment, you are following in the foot steps of Saul. How many times did Saul repent and shed crocodile tears only to go right back to his hateful ways. If you can’t tell the truth; you’ll never find repentance. This is why conviction is such a sweet thing: when we get honest about our sin and guilt, then and only then, can we repent.
- Wow, what about this weather. I had to run the A/C yesterday evening. PTL!
- We making a run to Crow Mountain to pick up some apples. If you need some shot be a text. {Lord willing, that is}