Weekly Devotion May 13, 2024

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission

Bible Study Verse: Hebrews 3:12-14 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. (NIV©) 

Thoughts: I love seeing young hunters proudly displaying their kills. The smiles are the same no matter the size of the antlers or age of the animal. Wise hunters congratulate the kids and encourage them to continue pursuing the sport. But, all too often, when an older hunter harvests a young animal, much of the hunting world wants to come down on him for killing a non-trophy animal (By the way, can someone explain to me what a “nontrophy” animal is?). Here’s the deal, if it is a legal and ethical kill, I have no right to belittle the hunter no matter the size or age of the animal. I would hope that the hunting community would start being a little less judgmental and more encouraging towards the successful hunter no matter the size of the trophy! 

Action Point: Legalistic judgmentalism has no place in the Christian community. We as believers are instructed to live with one another in harmony and build one another up in our faith. Does this mean that we are to approve of and accept sinful behavior? No, of course not. But it does mean that we are to lovingly encourage each other to follow Jesus (not rules made by men) by loving God first and loving each other as neighbors. 

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day: Be the camp encourager! Encourage your hunting buddies no matter the size of the animal they harvest.