|
Home
Archive
December
November
October
Comments
and/or Questions
|
Friday, December
5, 2008
Speak No Evil
Titus 3:2-7 To speak evil of no man, to
be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we
ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating
one another. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour
toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (KJV)
Apparently the reason some speak evil of
others is because they think their right standing with God is based on
works and not of grace, lest any man should boast by this evil speaking.
There was no work of righteousness you did that got you in good standing with
God, and there is no work you can do on your own that will keep you there,
except by believing on Him whom God sent on our behalf, Christ in you is
your only hope of glory, so anything outside this realm is just deceptive
and unprofitable.
Matthew 18:23-27 Therefore is the kingdom
of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his
servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not to
pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all
that he had, and payment to be made. (26) The servant therefore fell down,
and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay
thee all. (27) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and
loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (KJV)
As we see again here, as we have just
read in Titus, someone seeking some mercy and compassion for a tough
situation where it seems there is no way out. Haven’t we all been in this
position a time or two, or more, asking the Lord for patience when seeking
forgiveness? Remember, to whom much is given much is expected; so when the
Lord shows some mercy and compassion our way He expects us to do the same
to others in return as well.
Matthew 18:28-31 But the same servant
went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred
pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me
that thou owest. (29) And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (30)
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the
debt. (31) So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very
sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (KJV)
Oh how quickly we forget sometimes,
especially when we don’t keep our mind renewed in the mercy and compassion
our Lord showed us. Some people get saved and walk with the Lord for a
season and then decide to be judge, jury, and executioner all at once,
forgetting so quickly what manner of man they were. Freely we received this
compassion from our Lord, and just as freely we should be giving it to
others in return, otherwise we will be reminded the hard way by our Lord just
what manner of man we truly are, and what manner of man He expects us to be
as well.
Matthew 18:32-35 Then his lord, after
that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave
thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (33) Shouldest not thou also
have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (34)
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should
pay all that was due unto him. (35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do
also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother
their trespasses. (KJV)
You know that ‘practice what you preach’
stuff? Yeah, our Lord does really mean what He says. Oh it is such a
blessing to receive His love and mercy; on the flip side though, it is not
a pleasant place to be when we forget who we are in Christ and what it
takes to keep our good standing with
Him. You are not going to save people, or see them come to the Lord by
grabbing them by the throat, or threatening them, but rather by showing
them what is available to those in Christ by His love and mercy which He
shed abundantly on us while we were yet sinners ourselves.
Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto
thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the
remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he
delighteth in mercy. (19) He will turn again, he will have compassion upon
us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into
the depths of the sea. (KJV)
Our God delights in mercy; like the Word
says ‘blessed are the merciful for they will obtain mercy’. Do you desire
to do those things that are pleasing in His sight? Then a little
compassion, mercy, and letting go instead of hanging onto anger will allow
you to experience a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Lord.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as
we forgive our debtors. (KJV)
Do you desire to be forgiven? Well, it is
based on how well we forgive as well. Instead of speaking evil of others,
how about reminding yourself to forgive and forget? After all, we are
sinners saved by grace; you wouldn’t want the Lord reminding you constantly
of all your shortcomings and faults would you?
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)
You know, when you watch these shows
where they bring in people with conflicting ideas just to stir up strife
and contention, in the end it never accomplishes anything positive, rather,
the people leave more angry than when they started. Arguing, fussing, bad
mouthing, and strivings lead to nothing more than the same, none of which
is of God. A true servant of the Lord needs to know the difference on how
to present God’s Word in a loving compassionate way, and not in some
overbearing loud boisterous manner. In the end no one wins an argument; the
fact that you got into one means you have already lost because they that
are in the flesh cannot please God. Speak no evil, but rather let your words
be Spirit and life, so that you can avoid the strife and contentions of
this realm.
|
