GIF Jumping the Gun

“He who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man.”
(1 Corinthians 2:15)

Jumping the Gun
by Larry Burkett

Several contestants entered a race, which was to start with the firing of a gun. But, in anticipation, one of the contestants started before the gun fired. He “jumped the gun.”

Christians can be guilty of spiritually jumping the gun. The apostle Peter was guilty of this more than once but the Lord just said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”

Jumping the gun can be a conditioned response from Satan. The Scriptures clearly demonstrate that God is patient, and everything He does is thought out in advance.

God does not anticipate. He prepares. The Christian also should prepare, through appraisal or investigation. The spiritual person investigates first—then acts. The natural man simply reacts, almost always resulting in disaster.

How many times have you jumped into a conversation impulsively, to add your two cents, only to regret it later? Remember, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13).

It is vitally important in everything to allow the Lord to prepare your heart. An immediate response or quick reaction is rarely ever from the Lord.

Pray before you act, or speak, or react. Jumping the gun can result in all manner of problems.

Lord, in Your Word, James said that if I could control my tongue it would prove that I have perfect control over myself in other ways. Help me, Lord!

Daily Scripture Reading: 

Kings 25:22
Jeremiah 39:11-40:6
Lamentations 1-3