THE DALTON GANG

The Dalton brothers were outlaws during the late 1800s. They started out on the right side of the law as policemen. But then they followed a slippery slope into crime and became known for bank and train robberies. Their end came when they tried to rob two banks at once. Hearing of the robberies, the local people armed themselves and began to fire on the Dalton Gang. When the smoke cleared, Emmett Dalton was the sole survivor.

After serving fifteen years in prison, Emmett was pardoned and set free. While in prison, he had come to see how badly he had been living. So when he was released, he wanted to push young people from a life of crime. Drawing from his own experience, Emmett wrote and starred in a film about the Dalton Gang in which he showed the stupidity and selfishness of being an outlaw. In many ways, Emmett’s film was telling others: “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked” (PROVERBS 4:14).

In a similar way, when we have messed up but have genuinely said sorry and accepted God’s forgiveness, we can tell our own story. We can encourage others not to make the same mistakes we have made. James wrote: “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death” (JAMES 5:20).

Thinking it over . . .

What mistakes have you made in the past that you want others to learn from? What is your reaction to making a mess of things? Covering your tracks so no one knows? Or being open and honest about how much you need God to help you learn from your mistakes and move on?

WHEN WE LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES, WE ARE LESS LIKELY TO REPEAT THEM.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries