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Proverbs 16:1-3 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. (2) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. (3) Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (KJV)
Are you absolutely positively sure the answer you are giving today, right now, is from the Lord? Have you committed yourself unto the Lord, and are you established upon the foundation of God this day, Jesus Christ being in control of everything in your walk including your tongue? The Lord has an answer for every man and He expects His people to be ready to give it anytime, and anywhere the opportunity presents itself. The question is are you prepared; have you done what is necessary today to give His response, an answer that has eternal consequences? Although mankind judges things according to the outward appearance, thus thinking He is clean, the Lord looks to the inward motives of the heart and that is what He wishes to address. Are you one of His vessels today, fit and ready for the Master’s use so that He can speak and work through you to address the spiritual needs of others, or are you like many others that have scripted answers that are more appealing to the outward man than the inward one? Someday we will all have to stand before God Himself and answer for our own lives the things we did and the things we spoke; so if the answer you give today is of our Father then you will have no need to be ashamed today, as well as the day of judgment. It’s much easier to give the Lord’s answer to mankind when it is something you have put into practice and know firsthand for yourself how it works. However, if you are just reading from someone else’s script of how they perceive the Lord, and how they think people should be witnessing to others, then you are just giving a second hand account of someone else’s experience and not your own, thus the term novice. Proverbs 19:20-21 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. (21) There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. (KJV) Here is a reminder; how about giving a simple straight forward answer to anyone that would ask of you a reason of the hope within you and how they too can partake of this heavenly gift? Mankind keeps coming up with a bunch of gimmicks on how to win people to the Lord, when the Lord Himself said that the truth and only the truth would set them free. First and foremost you need to hear the Lord’s counsel for yourself, knowing who He is and how to be an example of the believers, not just words but conduct also. Only the counsel of the Lord will stand, and only those that receive His word will be able to stand as well; while the rest may have had good intentions in the beginning of their walk they will eventually fall away, returning to the realm they were once delivered from. I will tell you one that really stands out to me when I think of the many devices of man, is some of this so called Christian rock music, people that stoop to the lower fallen nature of mankind thinking that will win souls over. Having watched some of these so called artists, and listening to some of this nonsense on the radio, the only thing different between them and the world is that they just change a few words and then think it has the Lord’s approval. Somehow I just can’t see my Lord on a stage jumping around with a guitar in hand acting like some out of control lunatic. For those that do attempt to portray my Lord and Savior that way obviously don’t have a clue who He truly is and how He desires His kingdom to be represented here on earth. You go stand before my God someday with this song and dance and see how far you get; then try explaining to a spiritual being how something that began in the Spirit was being so misrepresented by a bunch of lame brains in the flesh. We are the ones that should be transformed and different from the world and its way of thinking; imitators of Christ and not conforming to this world and its fallen realm. Galatians 1:6-7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (KJV) These false doctrines of man, these winds of doctrines that blow around us; Paul marveled at how quickly God’s people had given in and were being deceived into some perversion of the gospel. The Bible says we should fight the good fight of faith; but how much of a fight do we put up, are we like the lion on the Wizard of Oz who made a lot of noise until someone tapped him in the snout and he gave up crying? These gospels that man claims will win the people to the Lord have nothing to do with the Lord; they are nothing more than a cheap hoax that appeals to the flesh and not the Spirit. No matter what form it manifests in, it is up to you to exercise your spiritual senses so that you can rightly discern what is of God and what isn’t. I marvel at how spiritually illiterate many people who claim to be of God really are; when the time they need to be teachers they are truly the ones that need to be taught all over from the beginning, having missed the simple first principles of God and how His kingdom truly operates. While many may read and search through the scriptures to find the answer they miss the spiritual implications and meaning of them because they still only see a man named Jesus, but never come to an understanding of who Christ within Him is and how to be led by His spirit. If any man has not the spirit of Christ and an understanding of how to operate by faith in His message, then He is not of God and will not be able to give the answer God intended for that man to give, which can only be given by those that truly know the doctrine of Christ. Proverbs 18:12-13 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. (13) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (KJV) That answer you gave to someone, was it really from the Lord, or was it something you gave to impress them? Have you taken the time to hear the message of Christ firsthand for yourself so that you know and are not just guessing that what you are speaking came from the Father through Him? If you don’t know or are not sure, then it would do you good not to say anything rather than mislead someone to another gospel that is not of our Lord. I don’t care personally what others think or say about me or my walk as long as I seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness concerning how to answer a man; then I know God is answering my prayers when I speak to Him, as well as seeking my own personal requests. Psalms 145:18-21 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. (19) He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (20) The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. (21) My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. (KJV) Do you wish to be near and dear to our Lord? Then it can only be accomplished in truth, being open and honest with Him, not trying to hide things, but letting Him show you how to be an overcomer in these things so that you can speak boldly with confidence on His behalf when asked. If you call on Him in truth then you can expect an honest response in truth; however, if you try to lie then don’t expect His response. Your mouth will truly speak the praises of the Lord when you truly make Him the Lord in your life and allow Him to have His way in and through you; sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that even those that are outside the kingdom of God won’t have anything they can pin on you. John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV) You know people, worshipping God is not standing in some building with your hands in the air looking up to the ceiling like you’re in some kind of trance, or hallucinating like your having a flashback to Woodstock; rather true worship, reverence for God and His word, is done in a lifestyle that is in Spirit and according to His truth. Truly worshipping God is presenting yourself to Him as a living sacrifice, alive spiritually and dead to your own desires of the flesh; ready, willing, and able to give His answer to any that would be seeking. How fit and prepared are you to walk in the Spirit and know that you are speaking words of life, giving the only answer our Father approves of today? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. How sound and sure is the speech that is proceeding from your mouth? Are you absolutely sure that what you say is what you mean? Are others around you sure of where you are coming from or are you one of those that claim to be one of God’s people, but yet still friendly with the worlds way of thinking? The world and its way of thinking is full of nice guys, okie dokie people that don’t like to ripple the water; people that would rather tickle ears than feed the spirit; professing themselves to be wise, they actually are fools. Practice what you preach, being a written epistle that is easily known and read of all men so that there is no doubt about who you really are and who you are a representation of. Matthew 12:35-37 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) Some of the definitions for the word idle include, inactive, lazy, as well as useless words that obviously are not spiritual and not bringing life to the hearers. These words can come in the form of flattery, saying one thing but meaning another, presenting a false front, words that you will need to give account of before our heavenly Father and basically explain to Him why you lied. If you are not sure what to say, or cannot say it faithfully, then it would be best kept unsaid until a time you knew was appropriate. Maybe your perception of a situation isn’t totally clear, so rather than shoot first and aim second, you need to make sure of who or what you’re pointing at before you fire a round. The church of God, which is His people, really need to understand how important our words truly are, because as we see in the above verses they can definitely make or break your fellowship with the Father; and if not checked, even to the point of eternal damnation. Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (KJV) The word of God is very clear on how to handle a matter, especially between the brethren. As we see in the above verses there is a very clear and orderly pattern for how things should be dealt with in the Church. However, despite how clear and precise it is laid out, most of the time it is handled in reverse and sometimes to the point of making molehills into gigantic mountains of strife and contention, let alone the backbiting. If you have an issue with someone concerning their walk with the Lord, after hopefully praying about the situation first, then it would be fitting to go and discuss the matter with the individual first, face to face to see if it can be resolved. Maybe what ends up getting resolved is your own take on the situation and how what you perceived was a problem was actually more of a simple misunderstanding, lack of communication if you would, which the enemy was more than delighted to throw fuel on the fire to keep it burning. If the issue does in fact turn out to be something that needs to be dealt with, and the person you spoke to wasn’t very open and wanted a clearer explanation, or wasn’t receptive to resolving the matter, then you can take one or two more with you, which not only refers to brethren, but having at least two spiritual witnesses of the word of God to back up your claims. I have seen firsthand what happens when this order is reversed; how when a situation arises among the brethren it first gets published to everyone else other than to the person involved in the matter. Then after a public proclamation is made to everyone else, sometimes they find out that it wasn’t really such an issue, rather their own personal differences which were based more on their carnal senses and not their spiritual ones. Simply put in laymen’s terms, whatsoever is not of faith is sin; if you can’t faithfully say something to a person’s face, then by God you should not be saying and spewing this petty nonsense to everyone else’s face. Talk about speaking in an unknown tongue; nothing is more unknown and contrary to our Lord than backbiting, strives, and petty contentions over things that have nothing to do with salvation, but rather personal misguided jealousies of people who think they are getting the short end of the stick. When you sin against the brethren, as the Bible says, you are sinning against Christ Himself. A fire can be a good thing; it can be used for cleansing metals, cooking and heating, but it can be a deadly destructive force if it is fanned with winds of the tongue, a wildfire out of control that destroys anything in its path. Proverbs 27:3-6 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. (4) Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (5) Open rebuke is better than secret love. (6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (KJV) The Bible tells us that the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God, it is similar to a stone or how about a millstone; you know the one that is tied to those that offend others and then cast into the sea. These factions and frictions that arise amongst the brethren, is it something spiritual or is it something else like envy, your own perception of how you viewed someone else’s walk? Faithful are the wounds of a friend, like with surgery, it cuts deep and hurts but it brings forth healing afterwards. Our Father considers that openness, even if it is in the form of rebuke, is better than a secret love; those whose mouth says one thing but their heart is far from it. And who can forget one of the most famous kisses of an enemy, the one by a man named Judas who was actually a follower of our Lord yet betrayed Him with a simple kiss as though he was still one of His. Are you an open book to those around you, like a written epistle, so that others know who you truly are and who you truly serve; like the term wearing your heart on your sleeve? Or are you more of a people pleaser, kissing up to others rather than taking a stand for who you are, or should I say who you should be a representation of? When you start kissing peoples anatomy you become a friend of the world, which the Bible clearly states is an enemy with God. Those words of faith that you promised God you would speak on His behalf are now idle useless words which are ready to perish and so will those that speak them. 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (KJV) Oh and by the way, I would be negligent if I didn’t warn you about the effects of bringing truth to others around us, especially when we are surrounded by a fallen world, that the more you do open up and bring a message of salvation to, the less you will be welcomed with open arms. In fact if you are looking to be popular with mankind and the life of the party then you have chosen the wrong field, because just the opposite will take place. In fact all you need to do is go through the Bible and see those that stood up for the Lord were the ones the enemy did all he could to knock them down. Kind of like with sporting events, the guy with the ball is the target of the defense because he is the one in position to score and achieve the goal. So don’t take it personal people if you are rejected by mankind; in fact, the closer you get to the Lord the farther removed you will be from those that claim to be of God who are more interested in their own personal matters than our Lord’s. Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. (KJV) That favour, you will find first and foremost should be coming from God, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, and how He would have you handle a matter. If you are more concerned with pleasing people then you will be more apt to flatter them with smooth words rather than words of life that were intended to build them up, which is what they ignored in the first place. So basically speaking, you need to choose this day who you will truly serve because if you are not willing to speak words of life on behalf of our Father then He will just move on to someone else who is willing to; and then someday you can explain to Him all that idle chatter you chose to speak and all the idle people you chose to please instead of Him. Get real. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. Psalms 12:1-2 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. (KJV)
How do the people of God go from one day serving Him, to the next day acting like the devil? It all comes down to what they have allowed into the heart; and like a virus, once it gets into the heart it will spread quickly and bring one down. Like in a courtroom, all the defense team has to do is present reasonable doubt or the appearance of it. The same holds true with the Christian and their daily encounters in life, the trial of their faith. If you take the time to study the evidence presented in the word of God you will have a rock solid case without any holes in it, and you will stand up and prevail in your daily encounters. But if you have let down your guard and have not taken the time to prepare your case then you will start entertaining doubts, and second guessing rather than knowing God’s verdict in the matter. Remember, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak, which will either be words of spirit and life, or spirit and death, depending on where your heart truly is. The trial of your faith; are you ready for it, have you taken the time to study the evidence, or do you have double vision, flip flopping back and forth? 1 Kings 18:21-22 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (KJV) In an election year, one of the biggest criticisms of the candidates, one of the biggest accusations that are made between them is their flip flopping on the issues. Instead of giving a straight answer and holding to it, they jump back and forth to appease the people and win their approval. This same mindset holds true in the spiritual realm; many that have begun their campaign with the Lord begin with good intentions but end up selling out to popular opinions and doctrines of man which are based more on a people pleasing head knowledge than on a true commitment from the heart. As we see Elijah was one amongst many others; rather than hold fast to the Lord many had allowed the people to be more of an influence on their heart than the word of God. Has your walk and commitment to the Lord come to a halt also, because rather than hold fast to His word you have been swayed by the people and their opinions? The Lord would rather have us hot or cold. It will be those that are in the middle that He will spue out of His mouth if they continue to waver between opinions. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV) Once you ask God for His help and His wisdom then it is up to you to follow through with your commitment despite what many others are doing or believing. Like going to a doctor and seeking his counsel for whatever the ailment is, and whatever he prescribes for the treatment. So if he gives you a prescription and you don’t follow through and take the medicine then it is not his fault if you end up getting worse. The same holds true with our Lord, when we ask of Him we need to ask in faith, and follow through with what He prescribes in order to stay healthy. The reason one becomes double minded is because they were double hearted, no longer renewing the mind with the truth but rather introducing doubt and confusion which is not of God. It is easy to tell who the unstable person is by what is coming out of the mouth; and the more unstable one becomes the more they are blown off course with winds of doctrine and end up shipwrecked. What you allow into the heart is what is going to come out of your mouth; and the enemy is referred to a roaring lion, one who is waiting to pounce on the weak by listening to their confession and the instability that is coming forth from their mouth. Matthew 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV) How did all this junk and garbage get into the heart in the first place? If you ate nothing but junk food all the time how healthy would the heart be? By eating all this spiritual junk food you wonder why you waver and doubt at times. As vital an organ this is to our physical man how much more to our spiritual being? And if you had been more watchful of your temple you would not have allowed the thief to break through and turn God’s house into a dumping ground. While many still hold to outward appearances and physical laws and rituals, it’s the heart that matters to God, and what the true motives are that concerns Him. I can assure you that there are many that if they knew they had a winning lottery ticket would find a safe place to keep it and make sure nothing got to it and defiled it. So how much more should we keep a watch on our spiritual treasure chest, which after all affects our eternal life and not just the short term time we spend here. You wouldn’t let someone back up to your house with a garbage truck and dump it into your living room, so why do so many allow the devil to come into God’s temple and dump a load in their heart? How healthy would that be, let alone how soon before it would be declared unfit and not suitable for habitation? What are you listening to, what are you watching, what do you spend your time meditating on? If it is the things of God then you will be walking with Him and acting like Him. If it is anything else it will manifest itself in a way that will be most unpleasant. Proverbs 23:4-7 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. (5) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (6) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: (7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (KJV) As a man thinks in his heart is truly who he will be; whether it be of God or the prince of this world. Are you seeking the riches of this realm as many others have fallen for and are drowning in destruction and despair, or are you seeking the spiritual treasures of wisdom and knowledge which can only be found in Christ, and those that are truly one of His? No man can serve two masters; and the Bible is quite clear that you cannot serve God and money at the same time. Those that engage in these doctrines become double hearted and double minded, no longer able to receive anything from God. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV) Time to clean out that mess that has gotten in the heart and wash it away with the living waters of truth so that you will no longer be double minded, flip flopping back and forth between the things of God and the things of this realm. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (KJV)
Is there a pure river of living waters flowing abundantly from you, watering and bringing life to yourself and those you come in contact with? It began as a pure river; is it still pure, or has it been tainted with man-made additives that change the texture of it? Did you know that you are going to have to give account of how much of these living waters you let flow through you, and how pure it comes out from your heart? Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) An idle word is like turning on a faucet and no water comes out; it might make some sounds from the air going through it, but it is not producing the desired results. As our physical body requires water on a daily basis, being that our bodies are made up mostly of water, your spirit man requires a daily dose as well, or it will end up dehydrated and wither away. Our tongue simply put is either bringing forth words of life or it is an unruly evil full of deadly poison, which if left unchecked will have eternal consequences. The seed within you is Christ which is spiritual, and it takes the spiritual living water of the word of God on a continual basis if it is going to grow up and mature. Matthew 4:3-4 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV) What’s the first thing that proceeds from your mouth when confronted with situations of this life? Is it the word of God and what He is speaking, or will you give into the tempter and seek to fulfill the physical need first? Not only did the answer proceed from the mouth of God, but it flowed through our Lord and preceded from His mouth as well, providing the answer God had for that particular situation. How many times when confronted with a need, or someone comes to you with a need, do you let the word of God proceed from your mouth so that it can accomplish the thing that is pleasing to God? It is your words you will have to give account of someday, and if your words and the Lord’s are one in the same, there will be no problem, so make sure before you speak. Matthew 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV) Many get caught up in the letter of the law; being more concerned with carnal washings and making the outward look good, while their inward man is dead and decaying. The word of God came from the throne pure, but somewhere downstream it got polluted, which is what the word defile means, and became unhealthy and tainted. Many lawsuits are filed on behalf of those that live downstream from factories that have tainted the rivers, and allowed pollution and poisons to proceed into the mainstream of the river, and some have caused sickness and death. Someday you to will have to stand in God’s court and give account of any additives or pollutants that you have dumped into the mainstream of your heart and of those around you. So being the fact that it left the throne of God in a pure state, He expects that it will have stayed that way when you give your own personal account before Him. If someone poisoned you or one of your children you would certainly be looking for justice; and that is exactly what will take place someday before the throne as well. So I pray that you checked the water before you turned on the faucet. Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. (KJV) What you allowed into the heart is what is coming out of the mouth; so if you don’t keep a close watch on it, you may find that what was supposed to be watering the crops has been tainted, and is choking and killing the life out of yourself and those around you. Your mouth can either bind the devil or bind the Lord from working in you. Your tongue can either loose you from bondage or keep you snared in the realm of destruction. Proverbs 15:2-4 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. (3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (4) A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. (KJV) Oh but it was just a little joke, I was just kidding around. That’s fine except for the fact that there is not anything the Lord doesn’t see or hear, and I am quite certain His memory is pretty good also. So someday when you go to retell your joke or try kidding with Him, you may find out the hard way that He wasn’t kidding around with you. Basically He is going to ask, what happened to my clear river of life, how did it get so tainted and polluted and what was your part in it? Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (KJV) If you have added your own interpretation to the word of God to make it fit with your way of thinking, just as man has added many chemicals and additives to our rivers and streams, God said He has something to give in return as well. So if you have plagued yourself and those around you with false doctrine, then you have taken away the true meaning of the Word; for which God also said He will take away your part out of the book of life. In conclusion, your words have eternal consequences, so make sure you know what you are speaking before you open your mouth. Don’t get caught up in the mainstream of popular opinions and doctrines of man, but rather go with the flow of the pure river of life, and proceed forward to your eternal reward which is rightfully yours for the taking. God bless; and it would do you good to take some time to study for yourself about the tongue, and see how many times it is referred to throughout the Bible, and how vital our words truly are. Dearly loved, have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 12:30-32 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (31) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (32) And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘blasphemy’: 989 blasphemos- speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive Are you totally sure that the word you teach and preach is in line with the Lord? The words that you speak are either spirit and life, or like we saw in the book of James, a deadly poison. Are you living the life the Lord intended for you to live, as well as speaking and presenting His word the way He intended it to be spoken? You wouldn’t want your name and reputation slandered and abused, well neither does the Lord think to highly of seeing the creation slander the Creator. Sin, blasphemy simply put, is a result of unbelief; one chooses not to let God be true and man the liar, but rather twists and turns the scriptures to their own destruction, trying to make them fit their lifestyle in the flesh rather than ministering words that give life to the spirit. Proverbs 16:1-2 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. (2) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. (KJV) If you plan on giving the Lord’s answer to any that would ask, then you better know it is coming from Him. This takes time and preparation in the word of God and prayer daily so that you will know how to communicate His word effectively. If you don’t know the answer, don’t make one up. If you’re giving scripted answers from a man made doctrine, you may not like the answer the Lord gives you in return when you have to stand before Him and give an account of your words. Man has invented many denominations that look good and sound good to the outward, but the Lord looks at the inward, and that is what will make or break you if you intend on inheriting His reward. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth was a man who was led by the spirit of Christ, and brought a message of life and salvation though the Spirit. He set the perfect example for us to follow, being a forerunner for all those that wish to inherit eternal life. Are the words you speak building up or tearing down those around you? Did you know that it is the doctrine of Christ that God gives credence to, and anything else is just a cheap imitation? John 12:48-50 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (KJV) What would your life be like if you only spoke what you heard from our Father, bringing a message of hope and salvation to a fallen world? The answer would be unending; as well as some persecution and trials from the enemy. But just think, if you are willing to give His answer to any and all that would ask, most assuredly you also will find the answer you are looking for some day when you have to stand before Him and give an account of what you did with His word. Don’t expect ticker tape parades here on this earth, or if you think you are going to be popular, forget that also. You will find that the more you are willing to share the love of God and His message, the less you will be loved by man. I have to laugh sometimes when people talk about UFOs and aliens coming to this planet and visiting us; and all of the sightings people claim to have seen. We had one alien visit us from heaven two thousand years ago, with a message of love and hope to all mankind, and they ended up crucifying Him. So why would any other ‘being’ want to come here? Which by the way, all this UFO stuff is nothing but a big hoax anyway. Colossians 4:3-6 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (6) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (KJV) To those on the outside of the kingdom of God, the mystery of Christ is something hidden to the carnal man, but ready to be revealed to the spirit. Paul’s prayer was that he could preach and teach this mystery to any and all that he came in contact with; presenting it in a way that would minister to them personally. Our speech should always be with grace. After all, we ourselves were saved by this divine favor (grace) which was granted to us not of works, but by the mercy of God. So we as well need to present this message, not in an overbearing, self righteous holier than thou attitude, but rather understanding where the person is at in their walk, and effectively ministering to them at that point. Paul said he was all things to all people; learning to relate with them where they were at, and being able to hear how he ought to answer every man. Matthew 10:18-20 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. (19) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. (20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (KJV) Just as Paul and many others that have spoken on the Lord’s behalf, the answer he had to give was sometimes before those that were not always looking for truth, and under rather hostile conditions. No matter what the conditions are, or the circumstances surrounding our situation, it is always vital to let the Spirit of our Father speak through us in order to get His results, as well as an eternal inheritance. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (KJV)
Before you accept the role of a teacher, or preacher, take thought as to what you say, and make sure you know that what you speak is in line with the word of God and the way He intended it to be taught. It’s one thing for those that choose to walk away from the Lord and ignore His counsel; but it is quite another for those that mislead and help them down the path of destruction by their words. Matthew 18:2-7 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (7) Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (KJV) What would you think of someone that misled your child, and they ended up dead? Your Father in heaven is not pleased when He sees one of His not only forsake the path of life, but is helped along this slippery slope of destruction by those that profess to know God, but end up to be wolves in sheep’s clothing. The ones that should be teaching the children to swim are actually throwing them off the deep end, and they end up drowning in destruction and despair. Woe unto them. James 3:3-4 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. (4) Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. (KJV) We have all seen how big ships can get; ocean liners and cruise ships have gotten bigger and bigger over the years. And yet they are still turned about by a small rudder, which if turned ever so slightly off course in the beginning, can end up way off by the time it reaches the other side of the ocean. You too have a rudder, a spiritual steering wheel, and if you keep a watch on this at all times, you won’t end up running aground and shipwrecked. Your words are either steering you in the direction of the Lord, or you have been blown off course by a contrary wind of doctrine coming out of your own mouth. Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV) When the winds blow, the waves get choppy, and you are in the midst of the storms of life; will you hold fast to your course, or be blown away by some new age doctrine of man? By speaking the truth in love, it will allow you to keep on course and let the Lord continue to navigate the ship just as He did with Noah, rising above the storm. James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (KJV) When a fire is set, it can cause all kinds of damage and destruction, as well as leading to death. The drier the climate, and the windier the conditions are can cause these fires to spread quickly and cause more damage. Our lower fallen nature is what leads us on this course of hell; and those that speak contrary to sound doctrine will find themselves being charged for spiritual arson. It only takes a little fire, a spark to set off a wildfire of destruction and burn anyone that would get into its path. Woe unto them that start it. Mark 7:15-16 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. (16) If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV) We are surrounded daily by all sorts of things that are contrary to the word of God. Songs, movies, magazine articles, talk radio, and the truth be known many groups and organizations that claim to be of God, but end up defiling themselves with words of destruction. It’s what you allow to come out of your mouth that will either bring life or death to those around you, and you will give account of it someday before the Father. So if you are the one that caused a fire and others got burned, you too will receive the greater condemnation. James 3:7-8 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (KJV) Man has found all kinds of ways to curb or restrain animals, which is what the word tame means, and yet no man is able to tame their own tongue. In order to speak with a new tongue one would need a new heart renewed in words of life in order to keep their words in check. Psalms 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (KJV) Are you watching your mouth Church? Our old nature is full of deadly poison which is distributed by our tongue, killing any growth within us as well as around us. Our new nature is one that should be speaking words of life, like a fountain of living waters. So set a watch and not a fire, so you don’t get burned. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV)
Did you ever realize there is power in the tongue? Are you aware of how important words are, and that they are described as either death or life? Are the words you are speaking bringing life to you as well as those around you, or are they tearing you down and keeping you in bondage? Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (KJV) Are you speaking in line with the word of God, so that the Word can go forth and produce spirit and life to the situation you are speaking to, or are you speaking words of doubt which bind the Lord from working in the area you have need of? You have the power and ability by your own words, to allow God the opportunity to work through you, or to allow the enemy to stop the flow of living waters from proceeding from your mouth. Mark 11:23-24 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV) A mountain can be anything that appears big in our walk that needs to be dealt with in order to continue on the path of life. Sometimes it can be an obstacle in front of us that needs to be dealt with, or it can be something from our past that needs to be cast down and left in the sea of forgetfulness. No matter how much of a mountain of doubt we have allowed to come in view and try to block our vision, speaking words of life and believing that God is able to do what He promised will eliminate this distraction. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV) Faith is our ability to hear the message delivered by Christ, and walk in the framework of the victory God intended for us. Think of God as an artist, who painted a picture of you and the life He intended for you to live. As long as you stay within the framework of the Spirit, you are able to see the picture of the blueprint He drew up for you before the foundation of the world. It’s when we step out of the framework of faith, that we enter a realm of doubt and confusion; then life becomes an uphill struggle, without ever reaching the top or able to see a victorious conclusion. The children of Israel wandered around the mountain for forty years because they allowed doubt and unbelief into the camp. Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; (KJV) As one matures in the Lord they become steadier in their walk, and not so many ups and downs as when they were younger. It’s a lot easier walking a straight path, on a level surface, than wandering back and forth and up and down, living in doubt and confusion. You learn to cast all your care upon the Lord; not only casting it upon Him, but leaving it in His hands, and not trying to handle things on your own. Words like I can’t believe it, or I doubt it, will open the door for the enemy to step in with a mountain of doubt and confusion to block the path of life the Lord has set for you to walk in. Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (KJV) Remember, when you see the word ‘perfect’ it refers to a mature person; one that has learned to speak in line with the word of God, no matter what comes along their path. A person that is willing to walk by faith and not by sight, or any of our other physical senses, is the one that keeps His words within the framework of the Spirit, and does not speak anything contrary to sound doctrine that will bind the Lord from working within them, and through them, and for them. The peace of God, which goes beyond your understanding despite what the outward circumstances may try to dictate will take you to places in your walk above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought of. That is why we need to let the peace of God rule in all our decisions; letting the word of God be a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Proverbs 4:20-24 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. (KJV) The tongue is an extension of our heart; so what we allow into the heart is what is going to come out of the mouth, which is either going to be life or death. If you don’t like what has manifested in your life, you need to ask yourself ‘what kind of words have I been putting out?’ Words of life will open the windows of heaven and allow the Lord to pour out for you a blessing; words contrary to Him will shut that opportunity, and reopen the door for the enemy to come in and steal our joy and peace. Death and life, for or against Him, you have the choice of which fruit you are going to partake of this day; so if you don’t like what is coming up in your spiritual garden, it would do you well to check what kind of seed you planted in it. Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. (KJV) A breach in the spirit means there has been a break or a fracture in the relationship; and what was a person speaking words of life, is now entered a realm of death. You need to take the time to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, so that there will be no break in your relationship with the Father, and He doesn’t have to ask you some day, ‘say what?’ God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now many people perceive themselves to have right words to speak but their actions usually don’t line up with their talk. Talk is cheap; which is why we are encouraged to let our words be few, because as we know a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. (2) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. (3) For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. (KJV) Before you speak you had better count the cost; because once it is spoken and you don’t follow through with what you said, guess what, all that beheld what was said will begin to mock you saying, that you began to build but you were not able to finish; all this because your foundation wasn’t based in Christ and what He was asking of you to speak and/or do, but it was based off you leaning to your own understanding. Thinking yourself to be wise, you just made yourself look and sound like a fool. Job 15:6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lipstestify against thee. (KJV) By your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned. Right actions can only be produced by right words, and right words can only be produced by a right heart before God in Christ. Any other way will have you looking and sounding like a thief and a robber, a fool drowning in destruction. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (20) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) And so you see my dearly loved brethren, the importance of being a doer of the Word (right actions), and not just a hearer who speaks great swelling words but never follows them up with right actions; and remember that your manner of life in Christ (right actions) will speak volumes to those around you without even having to speak a word. Not only are others listening and watching you, so is our Lord. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: (27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV) How forcible are right words? Think about that question for a moment.
What are right words, and how do we know that what we are speaking is right words? Ask yourself ‘are the words that I speak bringing forth life, not only for myself but for others also’; ‘do they encourage others and feed their heart and soul’; ‘do they keep me reminded and refreshed of the righteousness of God’?; or ‘are the words that I speak bringing forth death, stirring up wrath within others, and leaving a bitter taste in my mouth as well as in their heart’? Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it will eat the fruit there of. Just listen to the world around you, and as you exercise your Spiritual senses you will discern between words of life and death that are being spoken. For the world it is death, but for you, if you keep your mind renewed in Christ those words coming forth will bring life and life more abundantly to yourself and those around you. Proverbs 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. (KJV) Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. (KJV) Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (KJV) Right words come forth when the abundance of our heart is in Christ. Right words minister grace unto the hearer. Many don’t consider that a word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in pictures of silver. We were given the tongue of the learned when we accepted Christ, and a new heart; and God placed all His wisdom and knowledge in Christ in you, your new heart, and gave you of His Spirit a teacher and guide to train you up in His divine nature where right words are produced and come forth as a river of life straight from the throne of God. His words are Spirit and they are life; and those are right words. Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (KJV) So my beloved brethren, I encourage you to stop and listen to the Lord on what you should say and how you should speak it forth; the tongue of the learned speaking right words. God bless. Proverbs 16:21-24 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. (22) Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. (23) The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. (24) Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (KJV) |
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