Innocence – a Blessing or a Curse?

Innocence is a unique word in English.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘innocence’ as without guile or corruption, purity.  Interestingly, there are four different words for innocence, used in the Hebrew Scriptures, The Old Testament.  These include (a) zachu, meaning ‘without disloyalty to Yahweh’, as used in Daniel 6:22, (b) niqqayon, found in Psalm 26:6 and means ‘absence of pollution from idolatry’, (c) chinnam, having the meaning of ‘undeserved’ or ‘without cause’, as expressed in 1 Kings 2:31 and chaph, expressed in Job 33:9 as ‘scraped’ or ‘polished’, giving us an understanding of ‘moral purity’.

It is indeed unfortunate that in our current interpretation of ‘innocence’ there is the connotation of weakness, naiveté, and lack of sophistication.  Thus, anyone today who is considered innocent is somehow lesser than someone more worldly.  What a shame – our society seems to have turned a concept of free from immoral impurity, idolatrous pollution and guile or corruption is somehow beneath those who are morally impure, idolatrous and corrupt.  But, then, why should we be surprised?

The adversary, also known as satan, has turned the world on its head, in his attempt to corrupt what was once pure.  And he is doing a good job of it, isn’t he?  That, dear believing friend, is why you are here.  As a believer in the One True God, Adonai Elohim, you are a witness of and to His Love for all His children.  Each time you share, in word and in action, you shine the light of Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, into a dark world.  Do you know how valuable that is?

Each one of us is a servant to either the Living God or to the evil which fights love, there are no fence-sitters in this world.  Take heart, then, whenever you act out your innocence, you are showing yourself to be a servant of the Loving God, Adonai Ahav, and you are fighting against the darkness which desires to squelch the light.  May you be richly blessed.

Consider:  Do you believe innocence to be a blessing or a curse?  Are you displaying your innocence with delight in serving Yahweh or are you hiding your innocence in shame?

Action:  Be bold – step forward in the innocence of Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, and shine His light in the dark places of the world.

Pray:  Beloved Abba, Father, I am Your child and I am innocent, being covered in the blood of Your Son, Adonai Yeshua.  I want to shine His light of Truth and Trust to others; please give me what I need to do this well.  In Your beloved Name I pray.