Joyce Meyer's Daily 6 January 2018 Devotional: Be Suspicious of Suspicion

Topic: Be Suspicious of Suspicion [Saturday January 6, 2018]

Therefore you have no excuse or justification, everyone of you who [hypocritically] judges and condemns others; for in passing judgment on another person, you condemn yourself, because you who judge [from a position of arrogance or self-righteousness] are habitually practicing the very same things [which you denounce]. — Romans 2:1

First Corinthians 13:7 gives us a clear picture of what it means to really love people. I can honestly say that obedience to this scripture has been a challenge for me.

I was taught when I was growing up to be suspicious and to distrust everyone. But meditating on the characteristics of love and realizing that love always believes the best has helped me develop a new mindset.

Suspicion works against the very qualities necessary for godly relationships. Trust and faith bring joy to life and help relationships grow to their maximum potential, but suspicion cripples a relationship and usually destroys it.

Now, it’s true that people aren’t perfect, and sometimes our trust can be taken advantage of, but overall, the benefits of always seeing the best in people will far outweigh any negative experiences.

If you struggle with suspicion, remember today that we have the wonderful Holy Spirit in us to remind us when our thoughts are going in the wrong direction. Let’s ask Him to turn our suspicious thoughts into thoughts of love.

Prayer starter: God, I understand now that always distrusting and being suspicious of others is damaging to my relationships. Show me how to open my heart to others and to believe the best in every circumstance.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.