Weekly Devotion October 13 2025

 

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission

Bible Study Verse: John 5:16 (ESV] And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

Thoughts: One person said, “We are all victims and beneficiaries of tradition.” Some great traditions have been passed down from one hunter to the next, and some traditions are ridiculous. I’m an eastern Whitetail hunter, so when I am scouting a farm, if I see an extremely old tree stand, I know that it’s there for a reason. The stand was erected back when hunters relied on woodsmanship and time spent afield. I would be wise to scout that position and follow their tradition. An example of a terrible tradition is when a grandfather secured permission to hunt a piece of property for many years. Then the father also secured permission, but over time, just took for granted permission was a given. The son follows along and grows up believing that he has eternal permission, and can hunt or fish anytime he wants, like the land belongs to him. When the property changes possession and the son has a run in with the new owner, it can be a mess.

Action Point: In the narrative of Jesus healing the lame man in John chapter 5, Jesus was breaking the man-made tradition of the Jews, when he healed the man on the Sabbath. Jesus didn’t break the law about the Sabbath, but man’s interpretation of the law. It got Him in trouble with man, but not with God. The Word of God is the final authority on all matters in our lives. We can argue, complain, or even be disobedient, but it doesn’t change the fact that God’s Word is truth. The Bible doesn’t contain truth, it is truth, without any mixture of error. You can trust it to be right, no matter man’s tradition. Taking an animal off of someone’s property that you don’t have permission to be on will always be stealing. Trashing someone’s tree stand would fall under the sin of anger, hatred, malice, you can pick one, or two. Treating others the way you want to be treated is always right.

Sportsman’s Tip of the Day: Don’t follow traditions when it comes to game laws. Papaw’s tradition may get you in trouble, when it comes to game limits, shotgun plugs, size and creel limits, or permission.