Archive for the ‘Encourgement’ Category

Spiritual Training 06 November 2013

Posted: November 6, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

1st Timothy: Timothy is a prime example of one who was influenced by godly relatives.  His mother, Enice, and grandmother, Lois, were Jewish believers who helped shape his life and promote his spiritual growth (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15)

MEGATHEMES

Sound Doctrine

 EXPLANATION: Paul instructed Timothy to preserve the Christian faith by teaching sound doctrine and modeling right living. Timothy had to oppose false teachers, who were leading church members away from belief in salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

IMPORTANCE: We must know the truth in order to defend it. We must cling to the belief that Christ came to save us. We should stay away from those who twist the words of the Bible for their own purposes.

Public Worship

EXPLANATION: Prayer in public worship must be done with a proper attitude toward God and fellow believers.

IMPORTANCE: Christian character must be evident in every aspect of worship. We must rid ourselves of any anger, resentment, or offensive behavior that might disrupt worship or damage church unity.

Personal Discipline

EXPLANATION: It takes discipline to be a leader in the church. Timothy, like all pastors, had to guard his motives, minister faithfully, and live above reproach. Any pastor must keep morally and spiritually fit.

IMPORTANCE: To stay in good spiritual shape, you must discipline yourself to study God’s Word and to obey it. Put your spiritual abilities to work!

Caring Church

EXPLANATION: The church has a responsibility to care for the needs of all its members, especially the sick, the poor, and the widowed. Caring must go beyond good intentions.

IMPORTANCE: Caring for the family of believers demonstrates our Christ like attitude and exhibits genuine love to nonbelievers.

 

Spiritual Training 05 November 2013

Posted: November 4, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

1 Timothy 6:20-21 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.  Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.  Grace be with you.      

The book of 1st Timothy provides guiding principles for local churches, including rules for public worship and qualifications for overseer (elders, pastors), deacons, and special church workers (widows).  Paul tells the church leaders to correct incorrect doctrine and to deal lovingly and fairly with all people in the church.  The church is not organized simply for the sake of organization, but so that Christ can be honored and glorified.

 Lets Bring it Home:  While studying these guidelines, don’t lose sight of what is most important in the life of the church-knowing God, working together in loving harmony, and taking God’s good News to the world.

Proverbs 5:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 4, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 05, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 5:22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.

Solomon warned about sexual addiction 3000 years ago. Psychologists have only recently stumbled on it. Having warned his son about sexual sins and God’s punishment of them (Pr 5:1-21), Solomon added the sober warning of being bound by those sins for total destruction (Pr 5:22-23). Pleasures of sexual sins for a season may imprison you for life!

The context is plain and simple – sexual intimacy with anyone but your legitimate spouse (Pr 5:1-21). The man of this proverb is a fool that rejected the warnings and proceeded to sin with another woman. His sexual iniquities will take hold of his body and spirit, and he will be held in the chain-like shackles of his sexual sins. They will capture his very soul.

Sexual sins captivate a person’s soul more than others. Alcohol may lead to drunkenness and a chemical addiction, but fornication can lead to obsession with immoral thoughts and activity. Men who sin sexually are seldom recovered (Pr 2:18-19; 5:5-13; 6:26-35; 7:22-27; 9:17-18). Only God’s glorious grace can deliver a man from this bondage.

Sexual sins are also addictive in how they demand more and more stimulus to provide the original thrill. A voyeur seldom remains a voyeur. Few men are content with moderate pornography; they progressively seek more extreme and graphic images in order to feel the same level of sexual and sinful thrill of their first experiences with it.

Pornography itself is a case study in this progressive degeneration. What was called pornography 40-60 years ago is vastly different from pornography today. The difference is remarkable! Fools who began with female nudity in their teens must explore sodomy, bestiality, and pedophilia in their forties to get the same kick! And instead of improving marital pleasure, as their hearts lie to them, it destroys marital ability and satisfaction.

Young man! Older man! This proverb is as true as gravity. If you play with fantasies, pornography, fornication, or sodomy, you will destroy yourself. Your own sins will capture and imprison your soul. You will be unable to free yourself. You will never again love God, your wife, or godly living without a miracle from heaven. And God has not promised you or any other fornicator such a gracious and undeserved deliverance.

Consider Samson. He had good parents, was a Nazarite for life, was fearless of other men, and judged Israel twenty years. Samson lusted after Philistine women for their looks (Judges 14:1-3; 16:1), until he was helpless with Delilah. In spite of obvious intentions to destroy him, she was his omnipotent master (Judges 16:4-21). Why did he not catch on? Was he insane? He was a slave to sexual obsession. He ended up blind and a suicide.

Consider Amnon. He had good parents, was the firstborn son of King David, had the true religion of Jehovah, and could have had any eligible woman in Israel. But he sexually fantasized about his sister Tamar until he was sick with obsession for her. His addiction to this fantasy led to violently raping her, consequently hating her, and justifiably being killed by her brother Absalom (II Sam 13:1-39). He was a bond slave to fantasies.

Consider Solomon. He wrote Proverbs. He wrote this proverb. But women destroyed his life (I Kgs 11:4-13). How did it happen? He first married out of the Lord, against God’s command (Deut 7:1-6; I Kgs 3:1). He then became polygamous, also against God’s command (Deut 17:17; I Kings 11:1-3). His love of female variety became his sexual obsession, until he had 1000 women, which destroyed his life (Eccl 7:26-29).

Man! If you play with fantasies, pornography, fornication, or friendship with a woman not wholly the Lord’s, you are a flattering fool. You are a fool, because you have rejected God’s warnings. You are a flattering fool, because you have lied to yourself that you can get away with it. You will soon hate your pet sin, which will destroy you (Ps 36:2).

You are a fool to think you can escape your sin and its punishment by repenting later, for you are in perfect bondage to your lusts; you will neither be able nor willing to set yourself free. If you do escape sexual diseases, the rage of a jealous husband, or the sentence of the judge, you will be infallibly overtaken by the righteous judgment of God.

There is no greater bondage than a child of God who cannot repent and find joy and peace with his Lord. Do you hear me, sinner? He cannot repent! Why can he not repent? Because he has become a slave to his lusts, and his own heart is in the death throes of sinful thoughts and actions. Every time you allow a sinful thought or action in your life, you twist another sinful strand into the cords that will bind you in your sexual sins.

If you are playing with fantasies, pornography, or a sinful relationship, get away now. Flee youthful lusts, Paul would say (II Tim 2:22). Do not go near any place or thing that tempts you to sin sexually (Pr 4:15; 5:8; Ps 101:3; Rom 13:11). Pluck out your right eye or cut off your right hand rather than play with sexual sin, Jesus would say (Mat 5:28-30).

If you are addicted to a sexual sin, your case is not hopeless, but you will never free yourself by your means or strength. You must cut off the sin violently, totally, now! Repent with these words (Job 33:27-28). Beg God’s power in Jesus’ name to deliver you from sin, sex, and Satan. Humble yourself to a spouse, a parent, or a pastor with every condemning detail. Pursue God’s worship in public and private with your whole heart.

Nothing is too hard for the Lord Christ! You can read that harlots went into the kingdom of God before religious Pharisees (Matt 21:31). Paul told of many sexual sinners at Corinth, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Cor 6:11).

Spiritual Training 04 November 2013

Posted: November 4, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

1 Timothy 6:17-19  Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.   Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.     

Ephesus was a wealthy city, and the Ephesian church probably had many wealthy members.  Paul advised Timothy to deal with any potential problems by teaching that having riches carries great responsibility.  If you have been blessed with wealth, then thank the Lord.  Don’t be proud and don’t trust in your money.  Use your money to do good.  Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.

Lets Bring it Home:  No matter how much money you have, your life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth that he has placed under your care.

Proverbs 4:4 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 4, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 04, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 4:4 He taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; Keep my commands and you will live

Here is the greatest gift of a father – wisdom and truth! What is your family transferring from generation to generation? Solomon admitted that his father, David, had taught him. So he taught his children to continue the perpetuation of knowledge from father to son. He stressed that a successful life required his son to retain and keep this knowledge.

Note the proverb’s opening words: “He taught me also.” Solomon was the favorite son of David, so the instruction David gave him came from a loving heart desiring the very best for his son (Pr 4:1-4). In faithful fulfillment of his own office as father, King Solomon appealed to his own children to hear instruction from him like he had from his father.

How is truth perpetuated in the earth? What is the greatest gift parents can give children? The greatest heritage parents give their children is wisdom and truth, which is how both are kept in the world. Two passages of Scripture carefully describe four generations as every man’s goal (Ps 78:1-8; Joel 1:1-3). Therefore, godly families should never repeat the same mistakes, and they should greatly increase in wisdom, generation by generation.

Fathers are to be teachers. This is not an option or suggestion. Under both testaments, the father was the designated teacher (Deut 4:9; 6:4-7; Eph 6:4). If a child remains a fool and shames his parents, it is because the father did not do his job (Pr 22:6; 29:15). It is a horrible shame that television, public schools, and peer pressure do most teaching today.

Sons like Solomon are not chance events. David and Bathsheba taught Solomon. While God blessed Solomon with much wisdom after he became king, it was David who had given him an excellent foundation from his youth up. Surely David had seen the dire consequences of neglecting his other sons, Adonijah, Absalom, and Amnon (I Kings 1:6).

David taught Solomon three things. First, retain what I teach you. Do more than hear me. Listen to what I say, grasp its meaning, agree in your heart with its righteousness and truthfulness, meditate on it, review the principles, and apply them to every case you see. Remember the lesson by careful comprehension at first hearing and by frequent review.

Second, keep my commandments. It is not enough to hear and retain a father’s advice, you must keep it – you must do it. As with the word of God, it is the doers of the word who are blessed, not the hearers (Jas 1:21-25). Parental rules are only good to the degree the rules are obeyed. Sons must be taught to obey, and their obedience must be enforced.

Third, the goal and result of this instruction is your successful life. You are not reading about minor things here – you are dealing with life, your life! Keep these rules and live. Live well! Live righteously! Live abundantly! Grow in favor with God and men. This is the good life. This is the blessed life. This is the protected life. This is the prosperous life.

Spiritual Training 01 November 2013

Posted: November 1, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

1 Timothy 6:11-12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.   

Paul uses active and forceful verbs to describe the Christian life: flee, pursue, fight, take hold.  Some think Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act.  But we must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right.  Is it time for action on your part?  Christian service, like athletics, requires, training and sacrifice. Our discipline and obedience largely define whether or not we will be contributors or merely spectators

Lets Bring it Home:  How would other believers rank your contributing role on Christ Team?

Proverbs 1:12 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 1, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 01, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 1:12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

Fools and sinners are arrogantly confident. A band of cutthroats here tried to lure an innocent youth to join it by boasting of certain success. Such lazy, murderous thieves, bloated with ambitious and ignorant pride, are beyond hope or help (Pr 26:12,16).

Solomon knew evil friends were the greatest danger to his son and all young men, so he began Proverbs by warning against them (Pr 1:10-19). This proverb is part of a parable about a gang of murdering marauders, who declared their plans positively to entice a new member. Solomon concluded the parable by guaranteeing their ruin (Pr 1:17-19).

The murderers speak in this proverb. Though such things are rarely said openly, Solomon exposed their true intents for the purpose of his warning. Full of malice and violence, they intend to find victims with assets (Pr 1:11-14). They will kill the innocents easily and swallow them as thoroughly as the grave. The united band will kill quickly; there will be no opposition; any incriminating evidence will be destroyed. Success is certain!

The haughty confidence and lying words of these cutthroats are old. Sinners have always thought their crimes would be easy and without consequences. They are sure of success in their evil ambitions. Foolish and naïve young men fall for their boastful plans and join them. They do not see the certain destruction that is waiting for all such wicked rebels.

David was confident he could successfully kill Uriah in battle for his wife, but he forgot God seeing the deed and letting him grieve over the death of his son (II Sam 12:14-23). He never thought it could lead to Amnon’s incest and Absalom’s sedition and whoring.

A strange woman, an adulteress, guaranteed pleasure and success for a sinful liaison (Pr 7:18-23). She detailed how they could get away with the heinous crime against her husband. The idiot that joined her ended up dead and in hell (Pr 2:18-19; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18).

Judas thought 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus was an easy score. In his profane pride, he did not see Satan leaving his guilty bowels scattered across a field (Acts 1:18). He never imagined that the severe curse of Psalm 109:6-20 was for him and his crime.

The Jews hated Jesus, so they demanded Pilate to crucify Him. When he sought to avoid His innocent blood, they begged for it on themselves and their children (Matt 27:24-25). God and Titus made sure it happened (Matt 21:33-41; 22:1-7; 23:29-36; I Thes 2:15-16)!

The way of transgressors is hard (Pr 13:15), the way of murder harder. Solomon wrote, “A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him” (Pr 28:17). Gang members of all kinds that practice violence will be destroyed.

The proverb’s lesson is for you to wisely assess the boastful claims of sinners and reject them. They are ignorant liars or malicious liars, and only a fool would believe them. The reasons for their arrogance are wicked pride and the desire to deceive other fools to join them. Your skepticism and rejection should apply to gangs, churches, or anyone with an agenda contrary to the Bible. Let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4).

Proverbs 31:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 1, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 31, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

A great woman is confident and driven. King Lemuel’s mother described the perfect woman in detail, so her son would know what to look for in a wife (Pr 31:1-2,10-12). The fear of the Lord is the first prerequisite (Pr 31:30), and diligence is the most obvious character trait (Pr 31:13-31). This proverb shows a great woman’s confidence and drive.

“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good.” The virtuous woman knows her performance, productivity, and products are good. Her purchase of a field and investment in a vineyard are great ideas (Pr 31:16); she is committed to do what it takes to make her income-producing venture a success (Pr 31:17). She is confident of her plan and future.

Humility is not a defeated attitude about abilities. Humility is being strong and confident about plans, because you trust the Lord, not just yourself (Jas 4:13-15). Paul was a humble and meek apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, but he also declared that he worked harder than the other apostles, by the grace of God (I Cor 15:10; II Cor 11:5; 12:11-12).

Great women are not puffed up about abilities, nor do they brag about accomplishments. Never! But they know they have a good plan, what it takes to get the job done, and that they can do it. This confident and strong approach to domestic and outside-the-home pursuits condemns the timidity and weakness of many Christian women (Pr 20:4; 22:13).

A virtuous woman is a confident and strong woman. Jael is one of the greatest women in the Bible (Jdgs 5:24)! Why? Intimidation, false humility, timidity, and fear are not Christian virtues, no matter how piously they are presented. A skilled and gracious hostess knows when a meal is well prepared. To think otherwise is foolish slothfulness.

Confidence in personal ability and benefit to others is a strong source of motivation to work hard and extra hard. Knowing her efforts produce much, she is willing to put in extra effort and time. Knowing her productivity benefits her family and others, she is glad for the opportunity to serve and applies herself with focused intensity and perseverance.

“Her candle goeth not out by night.” The virtuous woman is driven. She knows there is profit in all labor (Pr 14:23). She does not waste time talking. Once she settles on a plan, she goes for it. When she has a job to do, she will get it done. Extra effort or extra hours do not discourage her. She finishes her projects. She completes her tasks. She is a success, because she will not quit until the goal is obtained. She does not faint (Pr 24:10).

She knows her family and she will become poor, if she is not diligent at her duties (Pr 10:4; 13:4; 21:5). She knows future freedom and opportunities for her family also depend on her diligence (Pr 12:24; 22:29). Everything at her disposal she uses wisely (Pr 12:27), wastes nothing (Pr 18:19), and leverages labor-saving devices or methods (Pr 14:4).

This great woman detests and rejects the pampered lifestyle of many wives, who live a leisurely lifestyle by their husband’s diligence and perseverance. She does not excuse herself by thinking of him as the only breadwinner and one to be productive and persevering. She will match or exceed him cheerfully in her own areas of responsibility.

Of course, this is a proverb. It does not mean she never sleeps, even if the words indicate she works all night long. This is hyperbole – an obvious exaggeration. She puts forth whatever effort is called for to get the job done. She perseveres energetically. But she does not cross the line of reasonable labor, though extreme when compared to the lazy women around her, into that excessive effort that denies the Lord His role (Ps 127:1-2).

What is the purpose of Proverbs 31:10-31? It was written by a queen mother to instruct her son in the art of finding a great wife (Pr 31:1-2,10-12). Fathers and sons should learn the passage well and pursue only those girls that match the character and conduct found here. Mothers and daughters should see the inspired standard and choose to follow it. All of it is part of God’s divine library to give wisdom to His children for ultimate living.

What is the spiritual application? The church of Jesus Christ is His bride and wife. She should perceive that the spiritual blessings, truth, and wisdom committed to her care and defense are incontrovertibly great (I Tim 3:15-16). She should put forth whatever effort it takes to defend and promote them against carnal Christianity (II Tim 4:1-4; Jude 1:3).

Spiritual Training 31 October 2013

Posted: November 1, 2013 in 1 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment.  We should honor God and center our desires on him (“godliness,” see Matthew 6:33), and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives (Philippians 4:11-13).

  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s. 

 Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, most people still believe that money brings happiness.  Rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction.  How can you keep away from the love of money? Paul gives us some guidelines:

(1)   realize that one day riches will all be gone

(2)   be content  with what you have

(3)   monitor what you are willing to do to get money

(4)   love people more than money

(5)   freely share what you have with others (6:18)

Lets Bring it Home: It is often helpful to distinguish between needs and wants.  We may have all we need to live but let ourselves become anxious and discontented over what we merely want.  Like Paul, we can choose to be content without having all that we want.  The only alternative is to be a slave to our desires.

Proverbs 30:32 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 30, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 30, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 30:32 “If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!

Do not speak, unless you have something peaceful and righteous to say, for words of either pride or sin will produce greater evil and harm. If you are guilty for anything, let your words come out very carefully and very slowly. Let every word count for good.

If your conscience or others correct you for arrogance or wickedness, do not attempt to excuse or justify your sins. Humble yourself, confess your error, and thank the reprover. Do not add to your guilt or shame by opening your mouth and making matters worse.

Your mouth is the vent of your heart and mind. If you have not ruled your thoughts, at least rule your mouth by keeping your folly or wickedness to yourself, lest it harm those around you and spread your sin further. This rule is so valuable that even fools can be thought wise by restraining their words and remaining silent (Pr 17:27-28).

Your tongue can be a flame that fires the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell (Jas 3:6). Words can be deadly poison (Jas 3:8). You hold the power of death and life in your mouth (Pr 18:21). Much talking always includes sin (Pr 10:19). You will give an account for every idle word (Matt 12:36), including filthy, foolish, and jesting words (Eph 5:3-7).

Doing foolishly in lifting up yourself is to be puffed up with pride and vaunting yourself against authority or over others. When you have foolishly gone this far, the best choice is to stop talking, otherwise provocative things will be said leading to a greater conflict. Pride is the cause of all fights (Pr 13:10), so the fewer arrogant words spoken the better.

Thinking evil is your imagination fantasizing or lusting for forbidden things, assuming evil motives for another person’s actions, purposing to rebel against authority, or related sins of the mind. Even the thought of foolishness is sin (Pr 24:9). If you have failed to rule your thoughts, you can still rule your mouth to keep your evil from spreading.

Laying your hand over your mouth is a Biblical expression for ending your speech and being silent. Job told his three friends to do this rather than continue their accusations against him (Job 21:5). Job did this himself when confronted by God (Job 40:4). It is what you should do when you feel pride welling up inside or sinful thoughts at work.

The context describes a great king’s authority (Pr 30:31). Wise men will not provoke him with fighting words, for he has the power to destroy (Pr 16:14; 19:12; 20:2; Ec 8:2-5; 10:4). This warning even includes thoughts or private conversations in your bedroom (Ec 10:20). Retorting against authority is folly, but especially against civil rulers (Tit 2:9).

The context also describes the certainty of a fight or war if wrath is pressed (Pr 30:33). A wise man is quick to hear and slow to speak, for he knows that anger does not work the righteousness of God (Jas 1:19-20). He knows that strife in the heart leads to confusion and every evil work, so he refuses to add grievous words to the fire (Pr 15:1; Ja 3:14-18).

The general lesson is valuable. Words take pride and evil imaginations further than intended, provoke others to respond in kind, are impossible to retract, and the damage is difficult to repair, as with offended brothers (Pr 18:19). Therefore, your tongue should be silent in your mouth until and unless there is something peaceful and godly to say.

When pride or evil whet the tongue, its sharp words pierce others, cutting them needlessly and/or starting a fight. It is so much better to choose the tongue of the wise, dealing grace and health to all who hear (Pr 12:18; 10:20-21; 16:24; Col 4:6; Eph 4:29).

What a peacemaker you could be, if you were always first to lay your hand over your mouth (Pr 15:1; 25:15). But alas, the fire that burns inside often forces release and causes damage (Ps 39:1-3). Be quick to hear and slow to speak to make peace (Jas 1:19-20).

Instead of conceited or corrupt speech, choose the gracious and learned tongue of Jesus Christ, Who spoke better than any man ever (Ps 45:2; Is 50:4; Lu 4:22; Jn 7:46). It is gracious and humble words that win the hearts even of kings (Pr 11:16; 22:11; Ec 10:12).

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