A wink and a nod

A wink and a nod, a glance with specific eye movement, the flash of a finger movement with a pre-defined signal, a spoken double-meaning word; all means of communication one with another to signal a hidden message not to be understood by those close without that “special” knowledge of the signals. Most people are familiar with those kinds of “secret” messages. No matter what the setting, whether a spy thriller or children playing at recess, the intent is usually the same: Perpetrate deceit upon those who are close by.

In our daily lives we encounter much of this kind of behavior. Certainly we watch it on television; story plots are centered on some sort of deceit that keeps true behavior or thoughts under wraps, and sometimes “for the good of those who need not be hurt.” However, when practicing deceit someone always gets hurt.

Even though it was a long time ago the Jewish King David was well aware of these kinds of messages. Before David was king, the first king of Israel, King Saul had become jealous of David. King Saul had pursued David even with the intention of killing him. So David had perhaps learned about some of this sort of communication and perhaps shared his experiences with his son Solomon. So when Solomon was writing his Proverbs he wrote,

“A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” (Proverbs 6:12-15)

This sort of communication and behavior has been around for thousands of years and of course, is very prevalent even now. Dissension, uneasiness, anxiety and fear, pent-up feelings and a strong feeling of dread overtake us sometimes as we live in this environment of deceit. As one day folds into another and life tends to move on a continuous spiral downward, we seek some relief. That relief may take many forms: Addictions like drugs, alcohol, sex, anger; or the pursuit of one relationship after another without ever finding one that provides fulfillment. Fortunately for us, God provided a way to break the cycle of living in a perpetual state of deceit by sending His Son as a sacrifice for all of us.

We are reminded by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans that,

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

As we submit our lives through faith in Jesus and what He completed on the cross to be a sacrifice for each of us, we are promised that our lives can be free from the sin nature that dwells within each of us.

For the Christian to live like a Christian it is necessary to accept God’s promises and place their complete trust and faith in Jesus and the work He did on the cross. There is life in the Spirit of Christ and the gift of power from Him to lift each person from the depths of deceit and despair that traps them in a life devoid of Christian living. Their response should be:

Believe God and the fact that He has spoken His message to us through the Bible.

In faith, accept Jesus as Christ and focus all faith on the work that He did on the cross by shedding His blood as a sacrifice that washes all sins away.

Seek out a Bible-believing group of Christian-living people who will help support the personal decision to accept Christ and carry out Jesus’ direction to be immersed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Continue to submit to the leading of Jesus and yield to His Spirit to grow in Christ.

Tell others about the experience and continue to pray for their yielding in faith to your Lord and Savior as well.

With your faith in Him you can live your life in the Spirit of Christ.