1 Kings 10:1-10; Psalm 37; Mark 7: 14-23
The Queen of Sheba comes to test King Solomon with hard questions, and is amazed by his wisdom, and his sumptuous living. Power and wealth are beginning to corrupt Solomon, but it takes more than one sin to turn him into an oppressor of his own people. Jesus warns his disciples and us to be careful not of certain foods going into the mouth, but of what comes out of a person with evil intentions: “fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.” This seems a more complete (and more scriptural, of course) list than the seven capital sins.
You pray regularly. You watch and listen to Jesus. What have you to do with fornication, theft, murder? No one outside of yourself can tell you what is sin for you. As you grow closer to Jesus, your sin will become less gross, more subtle, but still dangerous. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your sin. Do NOT examine your conscience. Let the Spirit reveal, and that revelation may come at odd moments. Be on the alert.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us sinners. Keep on saving us from subtle sin, from denial of sin and its self-absorbing power in our life. Give us back the joy of your salvation!