Proverbs 26:11 American Standard Version

{11} As a dog that returned to his vomit, (So is) a fool that repeateth his folly.

This verse is very strong. It gives us opportunity and take inventory of our lives. It has a way of helping us look deep inside of ourselves and ask these questions. Have I become like a dog? Have I returned to a life of vomit? Am I living the life of a fool? Am I repeating the conduct of foolishness?

As I pondered the beginnings of this article I wondered what is the definition of vomit. This is what I found. (1) An act or instance of disgorging the contents of the stomach through the mouth. (2) To eject violently or abundantly. Now, before I get very far with this school of thought I want you to realize that it is not my intent to offend anyone with this very graphic imagery. However, I do have an eternal purpose in mind for discussing this subject. If you have ever vomited; the contents of that vomit is something that did not agree with your system. It is something that does not harmonize with who you are as a person. Therefore, it becomes vomit. My purpose is to get our readers to see themselves beyond the life of a dog. Sometimes, people become shortsighted, or they think they have no other choice but to reduce themselves to that of a canine— an animal. We must realize that we are the way we think. What determines who we are as a people, is our thinking.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. (NKJV)
What we think about, we will eventually become. Greater yet what we say is tied to what we think. This is how it works. What we think, we believe, what we believe, we say, what we say becomes a part of our lives; be it positive or negative. I really like the notorious statement that says “The man or woman who thinks he or she can or can’t, are both right.” If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t, you won’t. We are responsible for what we think. Why? Because what we think, determines whether we are spiritual or carnal (fleshy).

Recently it was brought to my attention that someone, whom I love very dearly, had returned to their vomit. It was very hard to listen to the bad news. I was like a deer that gets blinded by automobile lights — it hurt so badly. It reminded me of a song I heard years ago, that goes like this.

Somebody told me you no longer love Him. I could not believe it, I had to see for myself. Now we sit here together, holding the memories. The sorrow keeps growing, for the love not flowing. Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home.

There’s not one thing you’ve done, that He didn’t already die for. Come Back Home, Come Back Home, He loves you. I want you to know I still love you, I’ll always be there, cause life is so hard for the lonely, the pain isn’t easy to bear. Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, there’s not one thing you’ve done, that He didn’t already die for, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, I love you. Come on!, Come Back Home, He loves you, loves you. Come on!, Come Back Home, Come Back Home.

You might notice that the composer of that song is pleading with a person who has walked away from a life that is pleasing to the Lord. It really is no different than how God is pleading with us.

Romans 12:1-2 The Living Bible

{1} And so, dear brothers, (and sisters), I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy-the kind He can accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?

{2} Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.

God is pleading with us, to give our bodies to Him. Our bodies are to be a living contribution. They are to be holy, acceptable, and pleasing to Him. Now, just stop and think about all that He has done for us. Is it too hard for us to give our all to Him? There are a number of things that trip many people up. It is the behavior and customs of everything around them. Some are moved by their family and all of the trappings that go along with their traditions. I learned a long time ago that some family line traditions and customs can keep me from the principles of the Word of God. It took intestinal fortitude — spiritual guts, to walk away from some traditions — to follow what God has for me. I know it may not be popular among some family members, but Who purchased our redemption? It was God The Father, through Jesus Christ The Son. -AWM

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Come Back Home words and music by Tim Sheppard.