Marvin Williams
Our Daily Bread Ministries
https://odb.org/
All rights reserved-Published with permission

Bitterness of Stolen Sweets Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. Proverbs 20:17 READ Proverbs 20:11-17 LISTEN ONLINE Thieves in Germany stole a truck’s refrigerated trailer filled with more than twenty tons of chocolate. The estimated worth of the stolen sweetness was $80,000. Local police asked anyone who was offered large quantities of chocolate via unconventional channels to report it immediately. Surely those who stole the massive amount of sweets will be facing bitter and unsatisfying consequences if they’re caught and prosecuted! Proverbs confirms this principle: “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel” (20:17). Things we acquire deceptively or wrongfully may seem to be sweet at first—seasoned with excitement and temporary enjoyment. But the flavor will eventually wear off and our deception will lead to our being left wanting and in trouble. The bitter consequences of guilt, fear, and sin can end up ruining our lives and reputations. “Even small children are known by their actions, [if] their conduct [is] really pure and upright” (v. 11). May our words and actions reveal a pure heart for God—not the bitterness of selfish desires. When we’re tempted, let’s ask God to strengthen us and help us remain faithful to Him. He can help us look behind the short-term “sweetness” of giving in to temptation and guide us to carefully consider the long-term consequences of our choices. Marvin Williams REFLECT & PRAY When has temptation led to bitter consequences for you? How can you remain faithful to God? Dear God, I need Your strength to fight temptation and remain faithful to You.