Once there were some fishermen who set out from Texas into the Gulf of Mexico. Using the compass on the boat, they left port and headed out about 50 miles to sea into the deep waters where they hoped to catch Bluefin Tuna. When they believed they were right upon the spot they needed to be, they turned on the depth finder and saw that they were well off-course and away from where they wanted to be. One of the fishermen had discovered that a device with a magnet was near the compass, and the magnet affected the reading of the compass.
We know from elementary school that magnets can change a compass. Just as this is true, sin in our lives can change our thinking. In John 7:41-42, we see that many of the Jews believed they were going in the right direction by denying that Christ was the Messiah. “Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” However, what was the real issue? Some of the people and religious leaders had a heart problem because they were biased. They denied and resisted Jesus because He was threatening to their power structure and traditions. Surely, they would have thought to examine all the Scriptures and verify Jesus’ identity. Yet, they decided to hold on to what they believed. The result was that they rejected the Redeemer.
Often we deceive ourselves because we do not want God’s direction. We must ask the Lord to help us do away with inner thoughts and motives that would be harmful to us. Our hearts and minds can be overshadowed with impure intentions. Psalm 139:24 states, “And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” God can truly get us back on course, that is, if we let Him.
