Where is the line between passionately defending the Truth, and being rude?
Obviously,
I'm sure you realize (or thought), as
Anyone who's rational with
Common sense demands,
That condescending words can hold no love.
14 God, arrogant people have attacked me;
a gang of ruthless men seeks my life.
They have no regard for You.
15 But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger and abundant in faithful love and truth.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me.
Give Your strength to Your servant;
save the son of Your female servant.
17 Show me a sign of Your goodness;
my enemies will see and be put to shame
because You, LORD, have helped and comforted me.
Psalm 86:14-17 (Emphasis Mine)
But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head —Christ.
Ephesians 4:15
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Listening To Doubt
We should always listen to our doubts.
Now, before you get too upset, take a moment and listen to what I mean. When we are assailed by doubts from every corner there are some very specific questions we need to answer: Why am I doubting? What are the reasons I doubt? In what way am I doubting? In other words: Is this doubt Scripture based, or self-worth based? In order to combat or take serious the doubt, we need to recognize their root: The Spirit or the Devil.
Listen to your doubts. Assess their origin. Then deal with them appropriately. If they are a discernment from the Spirit, search the Scriptures to find out why. If they are from the enemy, take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) and cry out to our Savior as a young boy's father once did, "I do believe. Help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
Now, before you get too upset, take a moment and listen to what I mean. When we are assailed by doubts from every corner there are some very specific questions we need to answer: Why am I doubting? What are the reasons I doubt? In what way am I doubting? In other words: Is this doubt Scripture based, or self-worth based? In order to combat or take serious the doubt, we need to recognize their root: The Spirit or the Devil.
Listen to your doubts. Assess their origin. Then deal with them appropriately. If they are a discernment from the Spirit, search the Scriptures to find out why. If they are from the enemy, take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) and cry out to our Savior as a young boy's father once did, "I do believe. Help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Work - And Word - In Progress
I think many of you would hardily agree that I am a work in progress- and I concur! I get so frustrated with myself and my Christian walk at times, and one of the things which confound me most is my mouth:
There are times I wish I had not spoken, and knew that I was wrong to say something;
...times I could hear myself talking about something that I didn't really want to say, but the Spirit compelled me (Jeremiah 20:9);
...times when I knew I should have said something, but chickened out;
...times when I have should have meditated on a principle longer before sharing;
...times when I meditated too long, and lost an opportunity;
...times when I just can't get the right words out, and the point remains veiled;
...times when the words are chocked by the burden behind them;
...times when the words seem too cold.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment; 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.
3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. 4 And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
7 For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce] figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
James 3:1-12
Lord, I pray today that my words only produce the fruit consistent with being a child of Yours. May my mouth be a spring of purified water blessing You!
There are times I wish I had not spoken, and knew that I was wrong to say something;
...times I could hear myself talking about something that I didn't really want to say, but the Spirit compelled me (Jeremiah 20:9);
...times when I knew I should have said something, but chickened out;
...times when I have should have meditated on a principle longer before sharing;
...times when I meditated too long, and lost an opportunity;
...times when I just can't get the right words out, and the point remains veiled;
...times when the words are chocked by the burden behind them;
...times when the words seem too cold.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment; 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.
3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. 4 And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
7 For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce] figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
James 3:1-12
Lord, I pray today that my words only produce the fruit consistent with being a child of Yours. May my mouth be a spring of purified water blessing You!
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