WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT IT – WORDS OF WISDOM

WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT . . . .

DEALING WITH FALSE TEACHERS

“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 

2 TIMOTHY 2:14-26 

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RECOVERY QUOTE OF THE DAY!

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL READING

TODAY’S PASSAGE: JAMES 1:1-12 . . . .

THE TAMING OF THE TONGUE

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” 

RECOVERY CHALLENGE: One of the major challenges that I face every day is the guarding of my words and what I say to others. Throughout my daily activities I find myself saying things that aren’t uplifting, edifying or positive. I allow my environment and the situations or circumstances to sometimes dictate what I say to and about others. That’s not right or fair at all. I must learn to be mindful of the words that come out of my mouth. But I have to learn why that is, and finally I know. It has to do with what’s inside of me and what I allow to possess me and control my thought process. God’s Word tells me . . . .

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  –  LUKE 6:45 

So my challenge is to take a serious look at what’s going on inside my mind and my heart, what I’m allowing to occupy those areas by way of my thoughts and mindset. Am I receiving the Word of God and applying it to my life consciously and allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort me with Godly wisdom and knowledge or am I allowing the atmosphere and environment of the world’s activities to dominate my mind and cause the same reaction in me that I see others go through? I must take hold of that understanding and stay saturated and always remain mindful of God’s Word and allow Him to reign supreme in my mind and in my heart. Then my words and conversations will be edifying and uplifting, encouraging and comforting to everyone. This will give me understanding that good fruit should be the goal and that it becomes a genuine habit and part of my life.