May 7. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 7, 2010.
POLLUTION
DEFINITION:
The act of polluting; to make fowl or unclean; to make impure or morally unclean.
SCRIPTURE:
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and over-come, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. II Peter 2:20.
Like a muddled spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. Proverbs 25:26.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
You may wonder why we picked a word like pollution for our devotional word of the day. Please read on and you will understand why we did. Today much is being said in our world about pollution but this is not new for today. When the word pollution is mentioned we think only of water pollution, air pollution, or soil pollution. Pollution is caused by man dumping garbage, chemicals, and all kinds of toxic substances into the environment.
When the Bible speaks of pollution it is speaking of the pollution of our minds and our bodies. Pollution of the mind and body is caused by what we dump into them. We live in a polluted world both environmental and spiritually. Today the majority of the people in this world are much more concerned about the pollution of our environment than the pollution of the individual.
James (1:27) advises us to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. In today’s world that is not easy. We live in a sinful world and the reality of sin is that it is infectious. Like a toxic pollutant put in a river, sin spreads. Christians are in a constant battle with the pollutions of the world.
As we read in II Peter 2:20 (above) even after someone has been freed from the sinfulness of the world by knowing the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they can become entangled once again in sin and overcome by these pollutions. Both Paul and James addressed the evil of the pollution that comes out of our mouth. James tells us that “the tongue corrupts the whole person.”
In the New testament we are told by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:29 to “let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” This is what we call “verbal pollution.” Pollution takes on many forms; criticism, backbiting, gossip, bitterness; anger to name a few. Often we neglect to think how some of the words we say pollute our environment, our home, our church, our neighborhood and affects our testimony.
Dr. Charles Swindoll wrote about knowing a group of friends who became concerned about this form of pollution and the part that they might be playing in it. They made a pact to avoid saying critical words for one whole week. They were surprised to find out how little they spoke. As they continued the experiment, they actually agreed that they had to relearn conversation skills.
The apostle Paul called out to us as believers in Ephesians 4 to that kind of decisive action. He said we are to put off the old self and its conduct that grieves the Holy Spirit and put on the new self that builds up others. As we rely on the Holy Spirit we can make those changes in our conduct, in our thinking and in our speaking.
If we really want to get rid of our verbal pollution we must choose to change and do this by asking God for His help. This is a great way to help start cleaning up our spiritual environment. You will be surprised how your spouse, children, family and friends will react. They will see the dramatic difference and will want to join with you. Help stamp out pollution --- clean up your speech!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to be concerned about the pollution that my words may be adding to in my life. Give me the discipline to clean up my words of criticism, jealousy and gossip. Make my life and my words an example of Your glory in all that I do today.
May 9, 2010
Hope: May 6, 2010
May 6. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MAY 6, 2010.
HOPE
DEFINITION:
The feeling that what is wanted can be had; the hope of winning.
SCRIPTURE:
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We all have seen or known of situations in life where things seem hopeless. Most of us have experienced times of hopelessness personally. We are all in need of hope. Hope is what keeps us going.
Psalm 31 was written most likely by David when he was in deep despair because he was in a hopeless situation. His enemies were conspiring to kill him and all of his friends had abandoned him. The first 13 verses describe his state of hopelessness. He was so completely drained emotionally and physically that he felt like a piece of broken pottery. A broken piece of pottery is useless and no one wants it. How can you feel any more hopeless than that?
In his hopelessness, David turned to his one source of hope. He gave it all to God. He said to God, “My times are in your hands.” In the final verses of this psalm, David tells of his renewed hope.
In the verse from Psalms (above) we are encouraged by the Psalmist to be of good courage. The reason he encourages us to be of good courage is because in God we have hope. He will give us the strength to get through the times of hopelessness. Only one that believes in Jesus can have this hope. When you commit to living your life honoring God, He will be faithful to you and will hear your cry for help in your time of distress and hopelessness, just as He heard David’s.
All those that do not know the Lord do not have that hope. There hope is in themselves and their own strength. They are doomed to a life of discouragement and hopelessness because in troubled times they will have no one to turn to.
Paul tells us in Titus 2:12-13 that we should live godly lives in this present age, looking for the blessed hope. Paul refers to the second coming of Jesus when he refers to the “Blessed Hope.” Today this “Blessed Hope” appears to be the only hope for this world.
From the human standpoint, there is no solution for the struggles of the world. Leaders are frustrated with trying to deal with the increasing problems in society. Most of this frustration is because of their evil deeds and their reliance on self and not on God. The only complete and permanent solution will come at the return of Christ to this earth and when He sets up His Kingdom. We are told that He will rule the nations with righteousness and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
Our hope for the future as the world gets darker is the promised return of God’s Son.
In Romans 5:5 we are reminded that hope in God does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit to reassure us of our salvation. For the believer our hope in the Lord is not just optimism. Our hope is the blessed assurance that Jesus died for us to give us eternal life. Keep your hope strong in the Lord and each day he will bless you and not disappoint you. He is our HOPE!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Thank You for the hope that I have in my heart for eternal life with You. I am so grateful that my hope in You does not disappoint and help me not to defer my hope in You when I face struggles today. Give me the discipline to train my children to understand the hope that You will give everyone that puts their trust in You.
HOPE
DEFINITION:
The feeling that what is wanted can be had; the hope of winning.
SCRIPTURE:
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We all have seen or known of situations in life where things seem hopeless. Most of us have experienced times of hopelessness personally. We are all in need of hope. Hope is what keeps us going.
Psalm 31 was written most likely by David when he was in deep despair because he was in a hopeless situation. His enemies were conspiring to kill him and all of his friends had abandoned him. The first 13 verses describe his state of hopelessness. He was so completely drained emotionally and physically that he felt like a piece of broken pottery. A broken piece of pottery is useless and no one wants it. How can you feel any more hopeless than that?
In his hopelessness, David turned to his one source of hope. He gave it all to God. He said to God, “My times are in your hands.” In the final verses of this psalm, David tells of his renewed hope.
In the verse from Psalms (above) we are encouraged by the Psalmist to be of good courage. The reason he encourages us to be of good courage is because in God we have hope. He will give us the strength to get through the times of hopelessness. Only one that believes in Jesus can have this hope. When you commit to living your life honoring God, He will be faithful to you and will hear your cry for help in your time of distress and hopelessness, just as He heard David’s.
All those that do not know the Lord do not have that hope. There hope is in themselves and their own strength. They are doomed to a life of discouragement and hopelessness because in troubled times they will have no one to turn to.
Paul tells us in Titus 2:12-13 that we should live godly lives in this present age, looking for the blessed hope. Paul refers to the second coming of Jesus when he refers to the “Blessed Hope.” Today this “Blessed Hope” appears to be the only hope for this world.
From the human standpoint, there is no solution for the struggles of the world. Leaders are frustrated with trying to deal with the increasing problems in society. Most of this frustration is because of their evil deeds and their reliance on self and not on God. The only complete and permanent solution will come at the return of Christ to this earth and when He sets up His Kingdom. We are told that He will rule the nations with righteousness and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
Our hope for the future as the world gets darker is the promised return of God’s Son.
In Romans 5:5 we are reminded that hope in God does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit to reassure us of our salvation. For the believer our hope in the Lord is not just optimism. Our hope is the blessed assurance that Jesus died for us to give us eternal life. Keep your hope strong in the Lord and each day he will bless you and not disappoint you. He is our HOPE!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Thank You for the hope that I have in my heart for eternal life with You. I am so grateful that my hope in You does not disappoint and help me not to defer my hope in You when I face struggles today. Give me the discipline to train my children to understand the hope that You will give everyone that puts their trust in You.
Praise: May 5, 2010
May 5.TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 5, 2010.
PRAISE
DEFINITION:
The act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; an act of worship.
SCRIPTURE:
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Psalm 150:1-2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In II Chronicles 20: 12 we read about King Jehoshaphat of Judah, knowing that his people were powerless to defend themselves militarily, so he cried out to God for help. The Lord’s answer to him came through Jahaziel who reminded the King saying: “Do not be afraid or dismayed for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
The King responded by worshipping God and then appointed singers to lead the army. The singers sang “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” The scripture says that the singers singing praises to God confused the invaders and they began killing each other.
No matter what battles we face today the Lord will help us when we cry out to Him and PRAISE HIS NAME! Instead of retreating in fear, we can march ahead with confidence in God’s power and sing PRAISE to Him. Someone once said that “PRAISE IS THE VOICE OF FAITH!” Every action we take in life is based on faith.
How often do you take the time just to praise God? God wants us to praise Him. Look at the verse we have written above from Psalm 150. The psalmist tells us to praise Him in His sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty firmament and to praise Him in His excellent greatness. We remember in college when we took a course on prayer. The professor reminded us that God wants us to begin every prayer by praising Him. When you stop to think about this, how can we? All that we have is from Him. All that we need is in Him. Our future is in His hands. Our eternity is going to be with Him. It should be the greatest desire of our heart to praise God for all He has given us.
There are days that we all feel great despair. John Bunyan called this the “SLOUGH OF DESPOND.” He went on to say that if you have a day like that then lift a song of PRAISE to the Lord. The Psalmist said, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.” (89:1) When we respond to our despair in this manner the praise will flow not only from our lips but also from our heart. Psalm 147:1 says that it is good to sing praises to our God.
The book of Psalms in the Old Testament has chapter after chapter about praising the Lord. When you are down and out, read some of these Psalms and you will be reminded of God’s loving kindness and goodness and they will encourage you like nothing else will. Psalms are songs of praise. Perhaps take one that speaks to you in your circumstances and make it your prayer of praise to the Lord today.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
I am reminded this day of the passage found in Luke 19 that told of Your triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. The crowd led by Your disciples began to rejoice and sing praises onto You. Help me today to sing praises unto You in that same spirit as they sang when they were marching with You into the city. I praise You this day for who You are and for all that You have done for me.
PRAISE
DEFINITION:
The act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; an act of worship.
SCRIPTURE:
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Psalm 150:1-2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In II Chronicles 20: 12 we read about King Jehoshaphat of Judah, knowing that his people were powerless to defend themselves militarily, so he cried out to God for help. The Lord’s answer to him came through Jahaziel who reminded the King saying: “Do not be afraid or dismayed for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
The King responded by worshipping God and then appointed singers to lead the army. The singers sang “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” The scripture says that the singers singing praises to God confused the invaders and they began killing each other.
No matter what battles we face today the Lord will help us when we cry out to Him and PRAISE HIS NAME! Instead of retreating in fear, we can march ahead with confidence in God’s power and sing PRAISE to Him. Someone once said that “PRAISE IS THE VOICE OF FAITH!” Every action we take in life is based on faith.
How often do you take the time just to praise God? God wants us to praise Him. Look at the verse we have written above from Psalm 150. The psalmist tells us to praise Him in His sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty firmament and to praise Him in His excellent greatness. We remember in college when we took a course on prayer. The professor reminded us that God wants us to begin every prayer by praising Him. When you stop to think about this, how can we? All that we have is from Him. All that we need is in Him. Our future is in His hands. Our eternity is going to be with Him. It should be the greatest desire of our heart to praise God for all He has given us.
There are days that we all feel great despair. John Bunyan called this the “SLOUGH OF DESPOND.” He went on to say that if you have a day like that then lift a song of PRAISE to the Lord. The Psalmist said, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.” (89:1) When we respond to our despair in this manner the praise will flow not only from our lips but also from our heart. Psalm 147:1 says that it is good to sing praises to our God.
The book of Psalms in the Old Testament has chapter after chapter about praising the Lord. When you are down and out, read some of these Psalms and you will be reminded of God’s loving kindness and goodness and they will encourage you like nothing else will. Psalms are songs of praise. Perhaps take one that speaks to you in your circumstances and make it your prayer of praise to the Lord today.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
I am reminded this day of the passage found in Luke 19 that told of Your triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. The crowd led by Your disciples began to rejoice and sing praises onto You. Help me today to sing praises unto You in that same spirit as they sang when they were marching with You into the city. I praise You this day for who You are and for all that You have done for me.
Able: May 4, 2010
May 4. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MAY 4, 2010.
ABLE
DEFINITION:
Having the necessary power, skill, qualifications or resources to do something; showing talent, intelligence, skill or knowledge.
SCRIPTURE:
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Have you noticed as we have that there are times in the lives of children when they feel they are able to do anything? We have met and seen adults that have the same attitude. But when the time comes that they tackle something that they are not able to do, their failing is a major catastrophe. When we rely on self that is what happens.
But throughout the scripture we read many times that God is able. This is important for us to understand as believers. God is all powerful. There is nothing that is impossible for God because He is able. God is the embodiment of all of Webster’s definition for “able.” Yes, God has the necessary power, skill, qualifications, resources, talent, intelligence, and knowledge to be able to do the impossible.
Throughout the scripture we read of all God has done and is able to do. First of all God through His Son Jesus is able to save. In James 1:21 we are told to “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted Word (Jesus), which is ABLE to save your souls.”
Secondly, God has promised that when we are His children, no man can stand against us and win. In the Old Testament when God was leading the Children of Israel to the Promised Land, He said in Deuteronomy 11:25 that “No man shall be ABLE to stand against you.” In Joshua 1:5, God’s word to Joshua was “No man shall be ABLE to stand before you all the days of your life.” And again to Joshua in Joshua 23:9 God reminds Joshua, “For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been ABLE to stand against you.”
And in the New Testament Paul in Ephesians chapter six is telling the church at Ephesus to put on the whole armor of God that you may be ABLE to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Look what God has promised us in these verses. God is not only able but He is our enabler. We are not able to fight evil by ourselves but God has given us the assurance that HE IS ABLE. But there is a condition, just as there was a condition given to Moses, Joshua and Paul. That condition is that we believe in Jesus as our Savior and daily put our trust in His hands and communicate with Him daily through prayer and the reading of His Word. Then He is ABLE to work in us and for us.
The scripture also tells us in the Old Testament that God alone is able to deliver us from the evils of life, whether it be people, things or events. Our God is ABLE to deliver us from all evil and is ABLE to lead us to a life of joy, happiness, kindness and love.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord that You are ABLE to do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or even imagine. I rejoice in your power and ability to save me from my sins, to help me stand tall for You in all of my activities and that You are ABLE to deliver me from the temptations of the devil that I will face today.
ABLE
DEFINITION:
Having the necessary power, skill, qualifications or resources to do something; showing talent, intelligence, skill or knowledge.
SCRIPTURE:
There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Have you noticed as we have that there are times in the lives of children when they feel they are able to do anything? We have met and seen adults that have the same attitude. But when the time comes that they tackle something that they are not able to do, their failing is a major catastrophe. When we rely on self that is what happens.
But throughout the scripture we read many times that God is able. This is important for us to understand as believers. God is all powerful. There is nothing that is impossible for God because He is able. God is the embodiment of all of Webster’s definition for “able.” Yes, God has the necessary power, skill, qualifications, resources, talent, intelligence, and knowledge to be able to do the impossible.
Throughout the scripture we read of all God has done and is able to do. First of all God through His Son Jesus is able to save. In James 1:21 we are told to “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted Word (Jesus), which is ABLE to save your souls.”
Secondly, God has promised that when we are His children, no man can stand against us and win. In the Old Testament when God was leading the Children of Israel to the Promised Land, He said in Deuteronomy 11:25 that “No man shall be ABLE to stand against you.” In Joshua 1:5, God’s word to Joshua was “No man shall be ABLE to stand before you all the days of your life.” And again to Joshua in Joshua 23:9 God reminds Joshua, “For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been ABLE to stand against you.”
And in the New Testament Paul in Ephesians chapter six is telling the church at Ephesus to put on the whole armor of God that you may be ABLE to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Look what God has promised us in these verses. God is not only able but He is our enabler. We are not able to fight evil by ourselves but God has given us the assurance that HE IS ABLE. But there is a condition, just as there was a condition given to Moses, Joshua and Paul. That condition is that we believe in Jesus as our Savior and daily put our trust in His hands and communicate with Him daily through prayer and the reading of His Word. Then He is ABLE to work in us and for us.
The scripture also tells us in the Old Testament that God alone is able to deliver us from the evils of life, whether it be people, things or events. Our God is ABLE to deliver us from all evil and is ABLE to lead us to a life of joy, happiness, kindness and love.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord that You are ABLE to do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or even imagine. I rejoice in your power and ability to save me from my sins, to help me stand tall for You in all of my activities and that You are ABLE to deliver me from the temptations of the devil that I will face today.
Speak: May 3, 2010
May 3. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY MAY 3, 2010
SPEAK
DEFINITION:
To utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; to communicate vocally; to converse.
SCRIPTURE:
If anyone speaks, he should do as one speaking the very words of God. I Peter 4:11
But Jesus remained silent. Matthew 26:63
LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE:
We all learn often the hard way that at times it is right to speak up and at times it is better to remain silent. When Jesus was taken before the high priest and getting close to His trial, they wanted testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. In Matthew 26:63 we are told that Jesus kept silent and answered nothing. Jesus, in this passage, was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7.
We are not told why Jesus kept silent but certainly Jesus had a reason and a purpose to remain silent. Jesus knew God’s plan and the purpose of His trial and He also knew what was in the hearts of the accusers. They were desperate to find a reason to get rid of Jesus. For Jesus to respond to their false charges would have been futile. Their minds were made up.
Yes, there is a time for all of us to speak and a time for us to keep quiet. Unfortunately, many people do not know when to keep quiet. It seems that at times some people just like to hear themselves talk. And then there are others who argue for arguments sake and love to have the last word.
In the above scripture from I Peter we are told that when we speak, we are to speak as one speaking the very words of God. What this means is that all of our conversations should honor God and be in keeping with the laws of God as outlined for us in God’s Word. For most believers this is difficult to do but it is the way God wants us to speak.
Early in His ministry, Jesus often rebuked the Pharisees and exposed their wrong thinking and motives. When He needed to, He spoke. Saying nothing may allow wrongdoers to go unchallenged in their evil ways. Everyone who knows the Word of God knows the truth and therefore must speak out to refute those who are proclaiming untruth.
When John wrote I John his purpose was to correct false teaching so when he heard about the false teachings of some of the churches he spoke up against them.
Paul was always very concerned about what he spoke and how he spoke. His first priority was to speak the gospel message, the very words of God. Paul desired not only to speak the truth about Jesus but he wanted to speak it boldly. In Ephesians 6:19 he asked for others to “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
In the New Testament the word “boldly” is used to describe Paul’s preaching. In Acts 18:26 it says Paul “began to speak boldly in the synagogue. (Ephesus) In Acts 14:23 we find Paul in Iconium ‘speaking” boldly for the Lord.”
In I Timothy 4:12 one of the things Paul instructed Timothy to do was to set an example for believers by his speech. We can remember talking to our children many times about how they spoke to people and urged them to think about what they would say and how they would say it before they opened up their mouth. The arguments they had with each other as children could easily have been avoided if they had not egged each other on and had stopped to think before they talked. We tried to impress on them the truth of Proverbs 15:1 that reads, “A gentile answer turns away wrath.”
God wants us to speak His Word, speak kindly and speak boldly about our faith. God will give us His direction when we put our trust in Him and He will direct our paths and our speech. Silence can be valuable but do not break it unless you can improve on it.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confidant of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to learn when to speak and when to remain silent. May I always speak boldly when I have opportunity to share my faith about You. Help me to instill in my family the knowledge of when to speak and when to be silent.
SPEAK
DEFINITION:
To utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; to communicate vocally; to converse.
SCRIPTURE:
If anyone speaks, he should do as one speaking the very words of God. I Peter 4:11
But Jesus remained silent. Matthew 26:63
LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE:
We all learn often the hard way that at times it is right to speak up and at times it is better to remain silent. When Jesus was taken before the high priest and getting close to His trial, they wanted testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. In Matthew 26:63 we are told that Jesus kept silent and answered nothing. Jesus, in this passage, was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7.
We are not told why Jesus kept silent but certainly Jesus had a reason and a purpose to remain silent. Jesus knew God’s plan and the purpose of His trial and He also knew what was in the hearts of the accusers. They were desperate to find a reason to get rid of Jesus. For Jesus to respond to their false charges would have been futile. Their minds were made up.
Yes, there is a time for all of us to speak and a time for us to keep quiet. Unfortunately, many people do not know when to keep quiet. It seems that at times some people just like to hear themselves talk. And then there are others who argue for arguments sake and love to have the last word.
In the above scripture from I Peter we are told that when we speak, we are to speak as one speaking the very words of God. What this means is that all of our conversations should honor God and be in keeping with the laws of God as outlined for us in God’s Word. For most believers this is difficult to do but it is the way God wants us to speak.
Early in His ministry, Jesus often rebuked the Pharisees and exposed their wrong thinking and motives. When He needed to, He spoke. Saying nothing may allow wrongdoers to go unchallenged in their evil ways. Everyone who knows the Word of God knows the truth and therefore must speak out to refute those who are proclaiming untruth.
When John wrote I John his purpose was to correct false teaching so when he heard about the false teachings of some of the churches he spoke up against them.
Paul was always very concerned about what he spoke and how he spoke. His first priority was to speak the gospel message, the very words of God. Paul desired not only to speak the truth about Jesus but he wanted to speak it boldly. In Ephesians 6:19 he asked for others to “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
In the New Testament the word “boldly” is used to describe Paul’s preaching. In Acts 18:26 it says Paul “began to speak boldly in the synagogue. (Ephesus) In Acts 14:23 we find Paul in Iconium ‘speaking” boldly for the Lord.”
In I Timothy 4:12 one of the things Paul instructed Timothy to do was to set an example for believers by his speech. We can remember talking to our children many times about how they spoke to people and urged them to think about what they would say and how they would say it before they opened up their mouth. The arguments they had with each other as children could easily have been avoided if they had not egged each other on and had stopped to think before they talked. We tried to impress on them the truth of Proverbs 15:1 that reads, “A gentile answer turns away wrath.”
God wants us to speak His Word, speak kindly and speak boldly about our faith. God will give us His direction when we put our trust in Him and He will direct our paths and our speech. Silence can be valuable but do not break it unless you can improve on it.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confidant of this very thing, that he that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to learn when to speak and when to remain silent. May I always speak boldly when I have opportunity to share my faith about You. Help me to instill in my family the knowledge of when to speak and when to be silent.
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