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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. Romans 14:13-16 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (KJV)
Strong’s definition for judge: 2919 krino (kree'-no); properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish: KJV-- avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think. If you notice in verse 13 Paul is dealing with a brother, a fellow believer in Christ, one who has chosen the law of liberty rather than remaining under the condemnation of the devil. Paul uses the example of eating meat, which before under the old law had strict laws and provisions concerning its uses. Paul himself was well versed and understood the old law with the best of them, but had come to an understanding of the truth, that in Christ all meat was good, and nothing had to be refused anymore but was now sanctified and fit for use by prayer and thanksgiving; thanking our Father for providing healthy food for His temple. But you know, whether it is food or drink, or any other area that someone is dealing with, it is not for us to judge or condemn them just because they haven’t come to a working knowledge of the truth in certain areas of their walk. Remember how God dealt with you when you first came to Him, and how loving and longsuffering He was in teaching you to walk in the newness of His realm. So with this in mind, would it not be the same for us in how we deal with others; rather than being so high minded and judgmental the most important thing to watch out for would be that the devil doesn’t use one of his workers to trip them up with a false doctrine, a stumblingblock, or a detour to keep them from accessing God through the Son. Romans 14:17-19 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV) Instead of trying to get your point across and engaging in endless petty debates over foods and drinks, or anything else that is of the carnal realm, keep it in the Spirit, and concentrate on the things that make for peace, and that which will build someone up more than tearing them down or putting them down for where they are at in their walk. It is much more important that someone comes to a working knowledge of who they are in Christ, rather than spending more time on what they can eat, or any other thing that pertains more to the temporal than the eternal. That is where you learn and continue to keep your spiritual senses exercised so that you know what the real priority is and what is not worth striving about. Those that use wisdom in these areas will find themselves approved of God, and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight. Romans 14:20-23 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. (21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for offence: 4348 proskomma- a stumblingblock a) an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls b) that over which a soul stumbles, that is, by which is caused to sin Here is an interesting take on it; rather than watching out on their behalf and helping them to avoid stumbling by your actions and motives, taking offence to what they believe, you now became the stumbling block, or should I say block head. Rather than being the one that should be helping them in overcoming a situation you are actually setting them back again; and rather than giving them truth you are keeping them in bondage. That does not sound like something that a true servant of Christ is going to find acceptable let alone pleasing in God’s sight. Realize that when we wound someone’s weak conscience, or lack of knowledge in certain areas they haven’t been enlightened to, we are actually sinning against Christ Himself; ouch. You have faith in certain things and have been set free; great, then keep it between you and God; you don’t need to make a public proclamation or a spectacle out of yourself. Verse 21 makes reference to things that rather than building someone up it is actually making them weaker. Which again we see words like stumbling and offending, something we should be keeping out of their path and not putting into it. Basically what are your motives; are you doing your so called good deeds before men to be seen by them, or are you more concerned with pleasing God and doing that which is acceptable in His sight, which by the way is looking at the heart right now? Let me ask this, is everything you do on the up and up; are you able to do it faithfully, or is there some doubt in your walk as well, something you are not able to wholeheartedly justify before God? When you start entering these areas of doubt, whether it involves you alone or how you are handling situations involving others, are you able to do it faithfully? Because if not, it is now in the realm of sin and condemnation of the devil. Maybe that thing you see in someone else’s life, that shortcoming you perceive, is actually a reflection of your own fault and shortcomings; rather than removing the obstacle from your own path it is much easier to concentrate on someone else. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV) The carnal mind is enmity with God, and they that are in the flesh cannot please Him. When one withdraws themselves from the realm of the Spirit and back into the flesh they enter a realm of doubt and confusion, one that is not of God, a place of condemnation and a snare of the devil. So please Church, for your sake, don’t even go there. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)
As of this point forward, right now, there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus; no more coming your way as well as no more going out from your camp either. No finger pointing, petty debates and striving over things that have absolutely nothing to do with salvation, but are mired in the silly things of this realm. So now that you are under a new law, a law of liberty of the Spirit, God did not appoint you to be a private investigator, an inspector clueless if you would, sticking your nose in places it doesn’t belong, and getting involved in things that are not of God, allowing the devil to deceive you back into the realm of this world. Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (KJV) Strong’s definition for strife: 4066 madown (maw-dohn'); from 1777; a contest or quarrel: KJV-- brawling, contention (-ous), discord, strife. Compare 4079, 4090. When and if you start to notice a leak, the beginning of strife, are you more apt to back out and leave it alone, or will you ignore the warning and allow it to fester? Some of these things you have decided to get involved with and all worked up over, was it really of God, or are you entering a realm and a battle that He won’t involve Himself in, and is not asking you to either? It’s like a dam, damned if you do but not damned if you don’t. So if you start to notice a small leak rather than waiting around it would serve your best interest to get out of there before the whole thing bursts and brings forth waves of damage and destruction. Proverbs 17:14 [The beginning of strife (is as) when one letteth out water]-- as when, in a dam or mound raised to oppose a flood or the sea, there is ever so small an aperture, the water passing through is sure to make it larger and larger, until with one mighty volume of water the whole embankment is swept away. [Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with]-- leave off, instead of eagerly discussing most minute offences, and devising means of retaliation, with a pertinacious determination to conquer. `It is easier to abstain from a contest than to withdraw from it'. `The mother of mischief is no bigger than a midge's wing. ' Strife is compared to the two most merciless elements, fire and water. (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) Proverbs 17:14 The figure is taken from the great tank or reservoir upon which Eastern cities often depended for their supply of water. The beginning of strife is compared to the first crack in the mound of such a reservoir. At first a few drops ooze out, but after a time the whole mass of waters pour themselves forth with fury, and it is hard to set limits to the destruction which they cause. [Before it be meddled with] literally, "before it rolls, or rushes forward." (from Barnes' Notes). Whether it’s striving with the world, or with our own brethren in Christ which is even worse, few things are more destructive and brings one back into a realm of condemnation of the devil quicker and faster than a wave of strife; which as we see in the above illustrations can start out so small and trivial but end up to be a large cesspool. So are you being quicker to hear and slower to speak, or are you trying to answer a matter before hearing it and then end up the fool? Proverbs 25:8-10 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. (9) Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: (10) Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. (KJV) Before you make some public proclamation about someone else maybe it would do you well to go to that person first, and see if this thing you are dealing with is more of a molehill than a mountain. Don’t flush your testimony down the drain by getting caught up in something that was not of God originally; the deeper you got into it the more you tried to justify yourself; rather than dealing in a more mature way you chose to proclaim someone guilty as charged, only to find out the true verdict in the end was not near the one you imagined in your head. God is able to declare the end from the beginning; When He asks you to do something then you should expect His result in the end, victory. However, when you decided to pick your own battles and got entangled with things of this life, then our Lord is no longer working with you; you are now on your own and basically defenseless and weak, ready for the wolf to prey on you and tear you to pieces. 1 Corinthians 6:6-8 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. (7) Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? (8) Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. (KJV) You know it’s one thing when I watch a bunch of self righteous so called Christians argue, fuss, debate and even hold demonstrations against people of this world (which by the way people, last time I looked it said we wrestle not with flesh and blood), but quite another when it is among the brethren. If I recall the Lord Himself said that His kingdom was not of this world, which is why He Himself chose not to get entangled in the affairs of it, especially when they tried to make Him a king. Where one really gets on the devils turf and falls back into condemnation is when the believers fuss and fight over things that are petty and not worth getting worked up over. Rather than walk away and not engage in the first place, what began as a trickle has now turned into a mudslide, a wall of destruction that could have and should have been easily avoided by people that should have had their spiritual senses exercised enough to know the difference between good and evil. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV) It’s one thing if people are played like a yoyo by the devil, letting him pull their strings back into his realm, it’s another if you choose to attach yourself too and get trapped in this silliness as well. No one wins an argument people. The fact that you chose to engage in it in the first place made you a loser; it brought you back into the realm of condemnation of the devil; so now when he slings the mud your way it sticks. Quick to hear, slow to speak, and especially slow to wrath, because the wrath of man does not work in line with the righteousness of God. And rather than walking away and leaving it alone you chose to put yourself in a path of destruction. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Timothy 3:5-7 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (KJV)
The above description is what is required of those that desire the office of a deacon in the Church, one who is an overseer of it. Those that are in Christ are those that have learned to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit; simply put, they practice what they preach. As we see in verse 6, it is pride that came before the fall, someone that should have been operating in the liberty of Christ had fallen back into the realm of the flesh, and is now open season to the devil and his workers who are seeking to make the mud stick to any of God’s people. A novice is a new convert, someone who recently gave their life to the Lord, or someone who hasn’t practiced what they preach, one who is more apt to be in the process of learning than instructing. Remember how a child is described in 1Cor 13:11, one that speaks like a child thinks like a child and then understands what they had just spoken. Those that are in Christ and have matured in Him will be the ones that take the time to understand, and then think about what they are going to speak before they do speak it into existence; thus keeping themselves out of the condemnation zone and the realm of the devil. Sometimes people are elevated into the position of bishops and deacons based more on their carnal stature rather than the spiritual one; those that maybe are the sons of the pastor or those that have the means to give more of a financial support than a spiritual one. Whatever the case, God holds the overseers to a higher standard; one which requires them to continue walking in the Spirit, being an example of the believers in walk as well as in talk. 1 Timothy 3:8-11 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; (9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (10) And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (11) Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. (KJV) Doubletongued makes me think of the term ‘someone that talks out of both sides of their mouth’. ‘They smile in your face all the time they want to take your place, the backstabbers’; from an old song from the 70’s that seems quit fitting. Doesn’t it bother you to hear someone always talking negatively about others and then smiling to their face when they show up? Those that have matured in the Lord will be the ones that have learned how to tame the tongue and not let it be an unruly wildfire of slander and backbiting. If you notice in verse 11, that if the wife isn’t grave, or stable, but running around slandering; that doesn’t bode well for the husband either that is seeking to be a deacon of the Church. What it basically tells me is that if she is running a smear campaign on the brethren she obviously had that fire fueled at home, having gotten it from the husband as well. So guys if you or your wives are out there slandering others it won’t be long before you are going to take a tumble into the abyss, having fallen back into the condemnation of the devil that you were once delivered from. Proverbs 12:21-23 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. (22) Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. (23) A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. (KJV) There is no condemnation to those in Christ; no evil shall happen to those that are justified in Him. A fool will proclaim their foolishness by spreading slander against the brethren, but the wise man will conceal it and pray one for another, not prey on each other. Galatians 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (KJV) How would you like it if you had an issue that you were struggling with and rather than have it handled in the Spirit it would be brought before a congregation that was willing to stone first and take names later? Have you forgotten how you were saved and brought into the realm of God, how longsuffering and patient God is and has been with you? It’s those that are spiritual, those that are in Christ, who are the ones God is going to use to oversee His congregation; so that if someone has an issue it can be dealt with in love, and not broadcast on CNN, or a billboard. Are you more apt to pray and consider yourself and how God handled you with your shortcoming and faults, or are you standing and smoting your breast like the Pharisees, thanking God you’re not like those other sinners? When you think yourself to be something when according to your own works or righteousness you are in reality nothing, then you deceive yourself as well as others by spreading strife and contention, focusing more on the problems than the solution. Proverbs 26:20-22 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. (21) As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. (22) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (KJV) You know it’s one thing that the devil is the accuser of the brethren always looking for their shortcomings and faults so that he can point the finger at them, it’s another thing if you choose to be the vessel that he uses to be a launching pad for his fiery darts that are being pointed at God’s people. Kind of like a little tattle tale, a rat, ratting out the people just to make yourself look better; like climbing the corporate ladder no matter who you use or have to step over to get on top. 1 Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (KJV) Rather than being an asset to the body of Christ and lifting them up, you are now bringing them down and actually sinning against Christ Himself. When you do it unto them, no matter who they are, insomuch as it is done even to the least of our brethren, or those that we think are the least important in the body, Christ Himself takes it personal because we are doing it unto Him. Not a good place to be and not one that is going to gain eternal access into His kingdom. Proverbs 22:10-11 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. (11) He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. (KJV) Instead of being the first one to cast a stone why don’t you cast down those imaginations and every high thing that comes against the knowledge of God? You want to end the fire danger? Then get rid of the arsonist no matter through whom or how it manifests. Grow up Church and don’t be a novice; rather than point the finger at others, start pointing them to Christ so that they will not fall back into the condemnation they were delivered from. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)
Not only are those that are in Christ no longer under condemnation of sin and death, but they are not passing their own judgments on others and pointing fingers at what they perceive to be everyone else’s shortcomings. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith; and salvation is certainly not something you have or ever will achieve by works, so it eliminates any boasting on our part. Yet with this in mind, religious organizations and so called churches at times are no different than the world when it comes to backbiting and slandering; like a big henhouse full of loud boisterous cackling. Not only have you been set free and delivered from the bondage of sin and death, so have others despite how you may view their walk, or how you think they should be operating. Not only have many Christians decided to take on the role of judge, but they also have taken on the role of jury, and sad to say many times with their tongues executioners. Remember how you were delivered? Was it by self righteous overbearing examples of those that claim to know God, or was it by the mercy and love of God that drew you to Him? John 8:2-6 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (KJV) Doesn’t this give us a good illustration of what we see going on in many religious groups today? Rather than get together to teach the word of God they are more concerned with what others are doing, and letting someone’s shortcomings and faults be broadcast amongst the whole congregation. So when these accusations are brought forth how do you handle these petty strife’s and the talebearer’s that are more concerned with hearing gossip than truth? Will you follow the example our Lord set; rather than continue to engage in this nonsense He chose to ignore it as though he heard them not and heard His Father’s response. While our fleshy nature is more apt to want to hear the juicy details, the Spirit is saying enough, this is not an area God is operating in. John 8:7-11 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10) When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (KJV) How are you handling these situations you encounter on a daily basis, whether it is at work or wherever you fellowship at; are you going to listen to gossip and half truths or are you more interested in listening to and dealing with truth? Are you passing judgment on others before you hear God’s answer, like the above example ready to rock someone’s world based on second hand information. Not only is the Lord no longer condemning you, but He is asking us not to pass judgment on others so quickly, and to be much quicker to hear, and slower to speak as well as to wrath. 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) When confronted with gossip and accusations of the brethren how are you handling it today? Are you ready, shoot, then aim or are you going to not get caught up in slandering and backbiting, things that tear down rather than build up? If you are not able to say something to someone’s face first then what makes you think you have the right to speak it out to everyone else’s. Stay out of the mud people, once you have been washed with the pure living waters don’t go running back to a pigpen of gossip and slandering. Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (KJV) Just because someone comes running up to you with an account of someone’s faults or shortcomings, or did you hear about so and so and their adulterous affair, doesn’t mean you need to keep the chain of communication going; rather wouldn’t this be a good place to put it to rest just as our Lord did? Yes it may be enticing to the flesh to get the details, but if one is operating and seeking a loving way to handle it then it will cease and desist with them. Proverbs 29:9-11 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. (10) The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. (11) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (KJV) When you engage in contention and strife there will be no rest in your soul. Have you ever spoken something about someone when they weren’t around, then when they were around you weren’t as bold in your accusation? Or maybe you heard something about that person, and rather than conceal the matter you chose to keep it alive and spread the gossip? A wise man will wait for an appropriate time, then if needed will deal with the person first and not make a public proclamation. Proverbs 11:12-13 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. (13) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. (KJV) When I hear a talebearer always talking about everyone else the first thing I begin to wonder is what secrets are they trying to conceal about themselves, and why are they so quick to throw stones at others? Luke 6:36-37 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (KJV) If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, and will continue to operate in the newness of life and not let the old man resurface with silly accusations and petty strife’s. It’s a no condemnation zone for those in Christ, not only for you but for others as well. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 2:23-26 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. (24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)
As Christians, those who should be imitators of Christ, we should be avoiding foolish and unlearned questions about our faith, especially from those that are not truly seeking a closer relationship with the Lord, but rather are trying to discredit the sacrifice the Son gave of Himself for the salvation of the world. Secondly, no one wins an argument; the fact that you engaged in the situation puts you in a no win outcome because you have lowered your standards to those of the world, and have entered a realm that God doesn’t operate in. Does God need you to defend Him? When I look through the Bible I see where He has handled things just fine; and when He decides to get His point across He is more than capable of doing it without mans’ help or approval. The only way someone is going to recover themselves out of the snare of the devil is when they make a choice to serve the God of love and not some self righteous loud mouth who thinks they will be heard for their much speaking. You want to fight and argue, go on one of the shows similar to what was the Jerry Springer show. You want to serve the Lord, then quit engaging in silly dead end debates which only breed more strife and contention. Matthew 6:5-7 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (KJV) Why all these silly debates about prayer in schools or any other public venues? If that is not enough, then they pull out the soapbox and stand in front of other public institutions and whine and debate over the Ten Commandments or the lack of them. Pick your battles folks and use some wisdom. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing, so until this body gives up the ghost I am free to do that no matter what anyone else thinks or says. So why do you need an audience or a public venue to pray in, when the Bible tells us just the opposite? Are your prayers going to be more effective if you can say them in a schoolyard or in front of a government building? I don’t think so. Many run around and demand their constitutional rights, and ignore the wisdom of God and His instruction on how to live in this world and to keep oneself unspotted from it. You want to pray in public? Then you have your reward. If you wish to receive the reward of inheritance then do what the word of God says and avoid this foolishness and nonsense. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (KJV) Again, if you wish to receive the eternal crown of life which the Lord will give to His people then it can only be achieved by doing it according to what the word of God says in agreement with the law of faith. There are differences in battles and different strategies that will allow you to be victorious, knowing the difference and rightly discerning what is of God and what isn’t can save you from an old fashioned behind the woodshed beating. 2 Chronicles 20:13-15 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (14) Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; (15) And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. (KJV) The difference in battles is simple, when you go into a situation on your own or should I say engaging in debates because of your self righteous attitude, you then become subject to defeat, a realm that is not a part of our Lord. However, if you enter a situation that the Lord is leading then you already know you are victorious; and a perfect love will cast out all fear and doubt. Given the fact that the Lord is undefeated and no one has knocked Him off His throne or even come close, why would someone think He needs us to defend Him? Why would God need us to defend Him when not only is He forever settled in heaven, so is His word? Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV) Why do you put a physical face on a spiritual situation and end up like Paul wrote, shadow boxing, one that beats against the air? If you spent your time in the word of God and prayer you wouldn’t be wasting so much time in endless foolish debates, and striving over things that are not only of this world, but you have now lowered yourself to the standard of this realm and are fighting a losing battle on your own. Matthew 12:18-20 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. (19) He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (20) A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (KJV) Matthew 12 verse 19: [He shall not strive ...] He shall not shout as a warrior. He shall be meek, retiring, and peaceful. Streets were places of concourse. The meaning is, that he should not seek publicity and popularity. (from Barnes' Notes) The Lord Himself is this servant that is being referred to, and He set a perfect example for all to follow. Even though the people tried to make Him a king at one time, He knew His kingdom was not of this world but that He was sent here to deliver a message of salvation. The more you realize that our calling is to deliver a message of salvation in meekness and love, the less likely you will find yourself getting caught up in a bunch of senseless not so great debates. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 14:29-30 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. (30) A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. (KJV)
Another manifestation of wrath comes in the form of envy. Envy is described as a jealous anger, as well as contentious rivalry. James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (2) Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (KJV) When all is said and done, and in many cases more is said than done, the bottom line is these distractions, ill wills and contentions were things you allowed in; unhealthy decisions based on personal gain rather than what is best for the body of Christ. The mindset of the world is to climb the corporate ladder to get to the top no matter who one has to step over, which is the opposite of what the word of God teaches us. Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (KJV) Are we really as concerned about the things of others as we are for ourselves? The Bible speaks of the first being last and the last first; in other words when we put ourselves first, we end up last on the list, out of order so to speak. So why all the fussing and fighting? If you don’t like the person you see in the mirror, you have a choice to do something about it. But blaming others or being envious of what someone else has is not going to get you where you need to be in your walk. James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (KJV) And by the way, don’t blame God for your own situation. You have a choice each and every moment of the day; you can react in the flesh, or respond in the Spirit. The words that we speak are either Spirit and life or just the opposite; as the tongue is described at times as, unruly evil full of deadly poison. 1 Corinthians 3:1-5 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (4) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (5) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (KJV) Even in the church, somehow someway, mankind decided serving the Lord was going to turn into a contest. Wasn’t the whole idea of the church in the first place to build up the people, not man’s personal shrines, in many cases worshipping the creation more than the Creator? Just like when I see people that put their own names on ministries; which basically tells me whose image and likeness people are following. Brother so and so’s worldwide ministry, which I agree is their ministry and not Father’s. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV) What kind of path are you walking this day? What things do you truly desire, the things of God or that of man? One is a path of life; the other is a path of the blind; which one will end up in a ditch spinning their wheels? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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