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Tools

Briefing: Have you ever considered that Jesus was a carpenter? Carpenters use tools. To be used as a tool in the hand of the master carpenter is such a blessing and an honor.

Dispatch (Assignment): Look at Romans 6:13.

On the Street: What instruments and tools do you use in your profession? Do you carry a gun, baton, taser, or handcuffs? Since I started in law enforcement the amount of tools we use has doubled. They are also more technology driven than ever before. The only technology we had when I started was a portable radio. Funny thing, we only had a few of them so it was first come, first served. If you didn’t get to the quartermaster immediately after briefing, you might go your entire shift without one.

Have you ever considered yourself as an instrument of God? You are an instrument of His righteousness. I have a tool shop at my house. I like to build things. I use lots of tools and I have different tools for different jobs, just like you do at work. What do you do with a tool that no longer performs? I am not saying God will throw you away, but it is important to know that if a tool does not do the job, it either sits on the shelf or gets thrown away.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”. We have to be tools that are ready for the job. If I have two axes, one has been sharpened and the other is dull, which one will I use? Speaking of axes, Luke 3:9 says, “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Paul mentions parts of the body that will be used for wickedness. What parts of the body come to mind? There are several body parts, that if not supervised by you can lead you into being used by evil.

The first body part that comes to mind is the mouth. With the mouth you can uplift and encourage someone and you can also demean and crush people with your words. There are many other ways the mouth can be used for wickedness. Proverbs 4:24 says, “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” Corrupt talk is not just foul language. It can be deceitful speech, lies, and gossip as well.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread”? Proverbs also has several wise sayings about feet that rush into wickedness, for example Proverbs chapter 5.

Your mind is part of your body that processes thoughts, taking them captive to Christ or thinking evil. These thoughts usually start out as things you see or hear. We need to filter what we are watching, shows, movies and other forms of entertainment, as well as what we hear or listen to. This is what it means to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

How about your heart as a body part? Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”

Proverbs lists body parts that can be used for wickedness. Proverbs 6:16-18, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.” We must be careful to use our body parts correctly.

Investigational Resources: Acts 9:15, Proverbs 5:2-4, Proverbs 6:1-5, Proverbs 10:10-14.

Officer Safety Principle: Just like a peace officer that has many tools on his/her gun belt, we have many other tools that we don’t always consider. Be wise in how you use all of your tools.

from The Book of Romans Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
Click here to check out the entire Through the Eyes of a Cop series!