Don't bite off more than you can chew

I was eating a half-wrapped hamburger once and felt something I couldn’t chew up. So, I picked it off the tip of my tongue, finding what turned out to be a bit of the wrapper. My very first thought was, “Hmm looks like I bit off more than I could chew.”

Usually that term refers to someone who messed with someone else or their character or property and came up on the short end of the stick. It also means that someone took on more responsibility than they could handle, often just to receive the honor attached to the responsibility, but with the honor also often comes greater accountability (Hebrews 13:17; James 3:1).

Satan already had a prominent position in heaven, but he did all of the above and bit off more than he could chew in wanting equality with God (Isaiah 14:13-15; Revelation 12:7-12). Having been thrown out of heaven, Satan became angrier and started taking his loss out on us (Genesis 3:1-24). But through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, God crushed Satan so we also could prevail against him (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:14-18; Romans 6:3-11; Galatians 2:20-21; 5:24). Satan’s complete defeat will come when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 50-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:10-15). That’s the worst case scenario of anyone biting off more than they could chew.

Another thought when I found I was chewing on a piece of hamburger wrapper was about James and John wanting prominent places in Jesus’ kingdom (Mark 10:35-40). They didn’t know what they were asking in regard to the cost of that privilege (Acts 2:12; Revelation 1:9). They also didn’t know that, even as king, Jesus didn’t have the authority at that time to give what they were asking. He would have that authority after his resurrection; although, if he’s at God’s right hand, God is already occupying his left hand (Matthew 20:16-20; Romans 8:34).

One thing to recognize about James’ and John’s request is that any rewards from Jesus we might receive for our service on earth won’t be given until we get to heaven because that’s where they’re stored (Matthew 6:1-21; 25:14-46). We also must realize that whatever service opportunities we have on earth will be considered equal in God’s eyes (1 Corinthians 12:12-26; 1 Samuel 30:21-25; Matthew 10:42; 20:1-16; note that James’ and John’s request came after Jesus taught them the parable of the vineyard). Finally, we must understand that anyone who follows Jesus and serves him in any way will drink the cup of persecution Jesus drank (John 15:18-21; 2 Timothy 3:10-17).

Are you willing to let God get the glory on earth knowing that he’ll give you glory in heaven if you just do what he has prepared you to do (John 17:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Ephesians 2:4-10)? Whatever you do, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Whatever else you do, be sure to use your talents for God’s glory and finish any task you take on (Colossians 3:17; 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:5).

Leonard Lauriault writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]