1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 "Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil."
I've been hearing woodpeckers quite a bit recently. One of them has become fond of the metal cap on our chimney. When he pecks it with his bill, he must be sending a signal to woodpeckers across the county, because it reverberates so noisily. It turns out that woodpeckers hammer trees and other objects for two reasons: to claim a territory and to find their food. I have been particularly curious about how the woodpecker finds its meals. I knew it had something to do with all that pecking. It turns out that the bird pecks hard against the outer bark of the wood and listens to see if the wood is hollow beneath. If so, there is probably a tunnel that insects have created. He can then bore a hole with his beak and use his very long tongue (as long as his body!) to find and snare his insect prey. In a way, he's "checking out" the tree before he uses energy to go after his food. We need to check out the messages we hear, like the woodpecker. We should test spiritual lessons and other communications that are purported to be truthful and see if they ring solid and true according to God's word before we invest energy and heart to follow them. A good message can stand up to a lot of "pecking" without collapse.
blessings,
Rob Smith
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