Words in Season

Ecclesiastes 5:2  “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God:  for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”

As I come out here this morning, I have somewhat of a confession to make.  “I really enjoy blogging.”  This sounds like a bizarre thing to have to confess, however, I occasionally allow it to detract from time that should be spent in prayer; a situation that must not be allowed to continue.  I’ve noticed, that in almost every case, if I’ve been negligent in prayer, the subsequent posts tend to reflect it,  with an element of “harshness” present.  When I come out here, I always put down whatever it is that’s on my heart at the moment.  This always leads to talk of eternity, my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and those issues which have everlasting ramifications.  While my conversation is in heaven, quality time in prayer and in study of the word of God MUST NOT be neglected under any circumstances.  Dark days are upon us; a darkness which will only intensify as the return of Jesus Christ draws ever nearer.  Being in close fellowship with him and having his word hidden in your heart is of utmost importance. 

Matthew 12:35-37  “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  But I say unto you,  That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” 

Simple words.  A collection of syllables which can be strung together in any fashion to convey a message that’s on the heart of a person.  It’s so simple and yet there’s so much power in them; both spoken and written.  Recently, the whole nation witnessed as John Kerry made a derogitory comment concerning our troops in Iraq.  (Regardless of how one feels about this situation in Iraq, the troops are doing their duty as soldiers and deserve our utmost support.  This is not a partisan issue; these are eternal souls; created in Gods image as are all of the participants of that conflict.)  Those few words, spoken by a man with a history of disdain for the military, have permanently derailed any presidential aspirations that he may have been harboring.  When I first heard the reports on the comment, I thought that he had goofed up his words while taking a stab at President Bush’s Iraq policy.  (A policy that’s not working by the way.)  When I saw the actual event and heard it from his own mouth, there was no confusing his intent.  The heart-felt feelings that this guy has for the armed forces came forth in his comments which suggested that they’re not educated and lacking in sophistication. 

Just a side trip here for a moment.  Nobody knows when their final moment will take place, but when you’re in harms way, that reality is amplified.  My prayer is that, as a result of this situation in Mesopotamia, folks would give thought to matters of eternal significance and come to Jesus Christ.  This goes for Americans, Sunnis, Assyrians, Kurds, foreign combatants, contractors; anyone who is involved in that situation.  A single soul is priceless.  Your soul is precious in the sight of God who holds in his hand, the very breath of life.

Folks have been making ill-timed comments ever since Cain stated “Am I my brothers keeper?”  That comment reflected the contentious attitude that he had toward his brother and his refusal to do things Gods way.  And so it goes today.  We’ve all made stupid comments and as you know, once those words go into the atmosphere, they’re out there.  You cant go back and unspeak them.  The book of James has much to say on this. 

James 3:5-6  “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.  Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world if iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole bod, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and is set on fire of hell.” 

It took only a few seconds for John Kerry to completly torpedo his political aspirations and forever alter the course of his life.   James goes on.  (The entire chapter needs to be read to get the full implication)

James 3:7-10  “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be.”

I tend to take notice of the people that our kids associate themselves with.  As an unsaved youth, I remember engaging in perverted talk as hormones were in overdrive and such thoughts dominated nearly everything.  While this has gone on for countless generations, there seems to be an added level of viciousness these days.  There’s a “nastiness” that didn’t used to be.  One could contribute it to the rap culture, the decline of the family institution, (nearly all of Morgans friends come from dysfunctional families) the neverending flesh parade in the media, and the church not reaching out; or reaching out but not compelling them to “come out from among them and be ye seperate.” 

Here’s another side trip.  (Sorry)  Why do we think that we have to be like the world in order to win the world.  This attitude does two things.  First, it suggests that the Lord needs our “help” in opening their understanding.  That’s totally wrong.   Present the truth of the gospel in all sincerety.  The Holy Ghost will do the work.  And then, when someone comes to Jesus, it’ll be a real conversion and not simply a drummed up emotional reaction to your “youth program.”  Second, it’s kind of insulting to those whom you’re trying to reach when you consider them “incapable” of handling the uncompromised truth.  That’s what you’re saying when you have to “be like them.”  If you just do as the Lord leads they’ll be able to handle it.  He knows exactly what any given individual needs to hear and his word will not return void.  When I came to Jesus, the Holy Ghost, from that moment on, began a work in my heart that has continued to this day and is still ongoing.  Even during my season of rebellion, this work continued and I praise God for it. 

Words have meaning.  They can destroy and tear down faster than any military device.  They are a tell-tale sign of that which lies within a person.  But the word of God will deliver from death.  This should be our continual focus of conversation.   This we should endeavor to get deep into our heart; even if it cuts into our blogging time.  (a little “note to self”)

Psalm 119:11  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Well I need to go feed the goats.  Let me close out with a suggestion that you visit the book of proverbs.  This book is bursting with wisdom and talks much about the words that we utter.  Here’s a sampling.

Proverbs 17:13  “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him.”

Proverbs 20:19  “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”

Proverbs 25:11  “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”