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1Thessalonians 2:3-6 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: (4) But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (5) For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: (6) Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (KJV)
Flattering words are those that seek to please the people, which can actually beguile them as well if one is not saying what they truly mean. Say what you mean and mean what you say when speaking on behalf of our Lord. Many are more concerned with what people’s perception of them is rather than the approval of our Lord, which makes them more of a hindrance than an asset to the body of Christ. So how do you give God’s answer to people, is it the straight forward truth that will set them free or are you sugar coating the speech to make it more acceptable to them? When you are asked a question, do you give simple yes and no answers or do you feel it is necessary to explain yourself to people, trying to explain it in a way you hope they will accept? For those that wish to truly please our Lord you will find that trying to please God and man just doesn’t seem to work, like mixing oil and water, it just doesn’t gel. For those that are truly steadfast and unmovable in their walk, they will find that pleasing God alone may leave you on a narrow path, one that is not heavily traveled, but the only one that leads to our eternal inheritance. Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation for Matthew 5:37 37. But your way of speaking must be a simple `Yes' or `No.' Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Have you ever had someone ask you a question or make a request for you to do something and your answer was no? Then once you gave your answer there is a space of uncomfortable silence, where now you are expected or think you owe an explanation? This is exactly what the Lord is referring to here; keep your answer simple and to the point and don’t think you always have to explain yourself. Many of us have been brought up with the mindset that we need to be polite and do things just to please others, even things that are contrary to sound doctrine or something the Lord just isn’t asking us to partake of. Now I am not saying to be a jerk, but rather if the Lord asks you not to involve yourself in something, no matter how popular it may be to others, a simple yes or no answer is all that is needed to be pleasing to our Father. And don’t think you need to manufacture an answer just because someone else is putting the pressure on you, if you don’t have an answer at the time or if you are just not sure, then it would be in your best interest to leave it alone and not try to make something up that you will regret later. Sometimes the Lord just may ask you to not get involved even though at the time you are not sure why; but by letting patience have its perfect work, sometime later the answer will manifest as to why the Lord had you withdraw from it. Simply put this is just another way of saying we walk by faith and not sight. Basically what Paul is saying is that if you are always seeking to be a people pleaser, then don’t expect to be used by God. However if you chose His approval above anyone or anything else then you will be a vessel fit, ready for the Masters use. Psalms 5:8-9 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (9) For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (KJV) Have you ever seen people and the term ‘slick’ applies as a fitting nickname? Someone that always tells everyone what they want to hear, someone that just uses people for their own advantage? The reason there is no faithfulness coming out of the mouth is because there is nothing in the heart but two faced double talk; always the nice guy telling people what they want to hear and not what is really going on, which aptly describes many of the so called pastors and teachers we have around today. Are you able to give a straightforward answer concerning the kingdom of God or do you skirt the truth leaving out the essentials so as not to offend anyone? When someone asks your response to an issue are you able to respond with what is pleasing to God or are you more concerned with mans opinion of you? If someone asks you to get involved in something that is not peaceable, something you know is not of God, do you feel the need to explain it in a way they will accept, sugar coating it, or do you just give a simple yes or no answer and let them ask God for themselves if they are really concerned? We have way too many people pleasers preaching and teaching things they shouldn’t be for their own advantage sake and not the Lord’s anymore, which will have dire consequences to those that follow these wishy washy doctrines. Ephesians 4:29-30 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (KJV) Sometimes what is edifying to the hearers is not always something that is pleasing to them, but something they needed to hear. One of the ways many corrupt the true communication that should be coming from the mouth is by flattery, people pleasing, someone that should have been a minister of grace is now a disgrace in the sight of our Lord. It grieves the Holy Spirit to see the true intention of God watered down by those that don’t have the spiritual spine to stand up and tell the people what they need to hear and not just what they want to hear. When you were raising your children and all they were concerned with in their diet was things that had sugar and spice, things that they thought were nice, did you cave in and give them what they wanted or what they needed? As one matures, and this does include maturing in the Lord, you find out that in order to grow strong it will take a much better diet than that to maintain a healthy body. So it is not only a matter of what you are feeding yourself spiritually, but what are you feeding others around you as well? Is it simple truth that will build them up and edify or are you halting between two opinions seeking the favor of man and God at the same time? Psalms 12:1-4 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (2) They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (3) The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (4) Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (KJV) Ever hear the term two faced? Well we have a lot of two faced people that speak from both sides of their mouth because of a double heart, which makes them double minded and unstable in the things of our Lord. So who is Lord in your life, and whose words are you speaking today? Are they spirit and are they life to the brethren or are they of your own tongue seeking your own desires? Don’t wait till it’s too late to find out, remember flattery will get you nowhere. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 1:8-10 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; (9) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (KJV)
The laws of our land are put in place to protect us and keep an order to our society. For every transgression there are consequences, and God has ordained our military, police and other law enforcement bureaus to maintain this order for all of our benefit. I am grateful for the jobs they do, and would much rather see dangerous criminals locked up instead of roaming loose and preying on our society. That is why, as Christians, we are the ones that should be setting the example by our deeds and not just cheap lip service. So rather than run and hide when it comes time to pay our fair share concerning taxes to keep these services going, the people of God especially should be the ones leading by example. After all I don’t see many ministers today who are not shy about putting their hand out and literally demanding it from their flocks with their guilt trips and pity party sermons about how much more they could do if they had more money. We should be living by a higher standard which includes ‘putting your money where your mouth is’. Mark 12:13-17 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. (14) And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? (15) Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. (16) And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. (17) And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. (KJV) Back in the Lord’s brief period of time on this planet He also was approached by those that claimed they were believers who were looking for loopholes too. Being the fact that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, would not the answer He gave to those back then still hold true today? The Lord was quite specific with His answer and didn’t stutter. So I ask ‘which part of paying taxes is being misunderstood by the so called believers today’? Having watched a documentary about a big corporation that goes into communities seeking to set up their franchise stores there, the first thing they do is hit the local governments up for tax breaks. These are multi-billion dollar organizations that rather than do their part and be an example to the community, they do whatever they can to milk it dry. Sounds like the same mindset that has crept into the so called churches of today; they look for loopholes in the system which the Lord pointed out in verse 15 above is hypocritical. Maybe what has happened is rather than follow the example of our Lord, they have gone out of His will; and rather than feed the flock of God with the truth they end up fleecing it with their hypocritical messages that end up making merchandise out of the flock rather than Christ like people. Personally, I don’t like paying taxes (although I do) especially when I see some of the waste and mismanagement that goes on with it. Although many people complain about our country and direction it is going it is the place the Lord has me at for this time; and quite frankly when I watch the news I see there are a lot worse places to be. Our system is not perfect and never will be because of the effect sin has on this fallen world. So until the Lord returns we all need to do what is required in His word and pay our fair share if we wish to keep the Lord as our source. Proverbs 11:1-4 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. (2) When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. (3) The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. (4) Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. (KJV) If you worked all week and didn’t get what was agreed to, you would be all over the situation demanding a just balance. If your tax return came up short you would be after them to get it straight. So when did the people of God and those that claim to be followers of Christ become above the law with their tax loopholes and big corporation mentality? Christians are supposed to be the example; and if everyone followed the example of these so called ministries, then we would have no one paying their fair share for services rendered and we would have nothing but chaos and anarchy in this country. Since when did they become such cheapskates? Claiming they serve a God of abundance but act stupid when it comes time to distribute it; nonsense! Our military people should not have to come home to a more hostile environment than the one they just left; and rather than thanking them, many that claim to be of God, are actually just as guilty as many others for ignoring their needs. Acts 20:32-35 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. (34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (35) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (KJV) This was Paul’s farewell address to the elders of Ephesus; letting them know the example he set and what it took to be blessed of God. As a Church and an example of the believers in Christ, is our mindset the same also, realizing it is more blessed to give than receive? If so, we need to lead by example. For all those that are truly serving our Lord in not only talk but walk, we will realize this and do what the word of God requires of us. 2 Corinthians 9:7-11 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (9) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. (10) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (KJV) Although this is one of the most popular verses with many of the religious people of today who have their hand out to the congregation seeking their just do financial balance, God is also speaking to them about doing their just part and quit fussing and complaining about rendering to Caesar. Although it is important to support the fellowship God has put you in, and you are to be obedient to what the Lord is asking of you, make sure the next time you get hit up with money pitches and sermons that pertain to the importance of giving, that the people who are preaching it are doing what the word of God requires also; giving more than just cheap lip service. If they have sold out to tax loopholes and are not doing what the word of God requires of them, how many other areas have they compromised and sold out in? No man can serve two masters, you cannot serve God and mammon (money); that’s called double minded which is unstable and unable to receive anything or any support from the Lord. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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