Dirty Nails

Dirty Nails

4:01

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭22‬-‭24‬, NIV‬‬.

I have old-looking hands. It’s true. They are my Nana’s hands for sure. One morning I decided to try to spruce them up by getting my nails done. And it actually helped a bit.

Yet, a few days later I looked down and thought I can’t see if my nails are dirty or not. Freshly painted nails hide what is underneath. I needed to be intentional about making sure I examined my hands daily.  Not just normal washings, I needed to make sure I was tending to both sides of the nail.

Isn’t that true about our walk with God? We need to examine our behavior and words all the time, to make sure they stay under the grace of God, and not get dirty.

For me it’s making sure I don’t watch shows, movies and the like with a lot of swear words in them. I used to have a habit of swearing when I was young. Not angry swearing, but definitely inappropriate. I’d swear for shock value. Until a good friend pointed out that it was wrong.

When I engage in shows that have my old familiar words, those pathways reopen in my mind. I find myself easily thinking a word not suitable for a child of God—

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen,” Ephesians 4:29, NIV.

So, I need to guard myself against old bad habits. Like dirty nails, I need to be intentional about my mind and character. I need to examine myself to make sure dirt hasn’t slipped in, clouding God’s mercy which activates His grace as needed.

How clean are your nails today?

Father,

You are a God of grace and mercy. You show us mercy when You don’t give us what we deserve, separation from You. This would be horrible and unbearable. You also shower us with Your grace, giving us what we are not entitled to. Which my mind can’t fully comprehend.

Thank You for Your forgiveness and allowing love and righteousness to grow from Your roots within us.

Thank You for calling us “Children of God.” What an amazing title. Help us to be faithful children who obey, serve and love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

You are so very worth it.

Amen.