HF105 - The World of Words
To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Tue Nov 4, 2003
Subject: Bible Study HF105 - The World of Words
Hebraics,
I've been in a bit of discussion with one of our Disciple's Heart students about the words that we speak. I felt it would be good to provide a study in this area. The only problem, however, is that this particular subject is so vast that I'll have to narrow things down to a digestible level. It is amazing at how much the Bible has to say about speaking.
Let's take a look at this great subject of the words of our mouth. (By the way, this is not one of those hyper-confessional teachings.)
This is Bible Study HF105 - The World of Words.
The lesson on words has a deeply sobering side. We need to look at this issue first. It is a matter of life and death. Here is where the confession of Christ determines our salvation.
In speaking to His mockers, the Lord said, "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matt12:35-36)
Let's first put this portion into its right setting. The 'evil' man in this case is the blasphemer. There were those who contributed the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus to Beelzebul. Beelzebul was one of the names given to Satan, as lord of the demons. (The later Talmudic writers did exactly that. They said Jesus was a sorcerer.)
Jesus calls these men a "brood of vipers." And they would most certainly give an account for their words in the day of judgment.
What about the good man? The good man is that person who confesses Jesus Christ for who He really is, that is, as Savior and Messiah of Israel. Thus we hear the Lord say, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Now that we have that sobering issue dealt with, we need to take a closer look at why some believers have so many spiritual problems. One reason that believers get into trouble spiritually is because they've either been snared by their own words, or they've been snared by the words of someone else. Do you find that strange? It is a Biblical truth.
Words have the power to change us for good or for bad. Words carry messages and images. Words affect our thinking. They can capture our heart. They create memories. Words have molding power. The very words we speak to our children can make a contribution to how they perceive themselves. This is why it is so important that we learn to speak the truth in love.
My mom and dad had divorced when I was rather young. A few years later they remarried. So my earlier childhood memories are of my mom. The memories that stand out the most are from things she shared with me. For one thing, mom taught me the simple childhood prayer of, 'Now I lay me down to sleep.' During that time I had no idea what a church was, but I learned to call upon the Lord quite early in life.
Then there were other memories that have remained with me over the years. I suppose mom did this with my three sisters, but she certainly had some talks with me. Mom would sit with me and begin sharing how very special I was. She probably does not remember those conversations, but I will never forget them. She was instilling in me ideas that would help form my character. There is a sense in that my mom empowered me for the future by the words she spoke.
This goes far beyond a parent speaking to her child. It is an issue that governs life itself. This is why Paul said that we should never let a 'rotten' word proceed from our mouth, that we should only speak words that will minister grace to the hearer. Rotten words produce rottenness. Words of grace fill the heart with truth and love.
However, Paul was not alone. James gives a detailed explanation on this issue of how our words will determine our very future. He begins his teaching on words by saying, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."
Then he said, "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well." The word for 'perfect' in Greek speaks of something that has reached its goal, thus it generally refers to a spiritual maturing. A spiritual mature believer knows how to walk in the ways of the Lord, and knows how to speak in a way that is proper.
James has much more to say. He says the tongue is the member of our body that will direct our flow of life. Then he concludes this area of thought by drawing attention to the wisdom that comes from above. Rather than expand on this portion, I would encourage the members to read all of James chapter 3.
We know there is a positive side to this and a negative side. But sometimes we have to look at the negative in order to accentuate the positive. David spoke of the man who refused to speak blessings to God's people. He said, "He did not remember to show lovingkindness ... He also loved cursing, so it came to him; and he did not delight in blessings, so it was far from him. But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, and it entered into his body like water and like oil to his bones." (Psa109:16-20)
It would be easy to say that this is Old Testament and does not apply to the covenant of Christ, but that is error. The laws that govern life don't change. Peter picks up on this in the New Testament by quoting from David. Peter said, "The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit." (Cf. 1Pet3:10)
It is so easy to think this area of 'words' isn't very important. The truth is that there is nothing more important to a child of God. The minister in the pulpit must learn to speak from wisdom. To this very day I still find the pulpit a trembling place. I realize that people are listening carefully to what I have to say. And I also know that the Lord is holding me accountable for speaking truth to His people.
But it isn't simply in the pulpit that we need wisdom. I recall the story of the pastor's wife in whom a young man in the congregation had fallen in love with. His heart was overflowing. Finally he asks her to have supper with him. It was his intention to pour out his affections to her. The wife talked with her husband, and the husband told her to accept the young man's invitation, that the Lord would give her what she needed to say.
And so the young man met her at a lovely restaurant. As they sat in a quiet corner, the young man begins pouring out his heart. The pastor's wife listens, quietly praying. Finally the Lord gave her what to say. In the next few words, she simply told the young man that it was not her that he was in love with. It was Jesus in her. The young man was startled. But then the lights went off. She was exactly right. He loved the Jesus in her.
The point in all this is that the Lord gave wisdom to the pastor's wife. She helped that young man get his feelings focused in the right place, without damaging him in the least. She ministered grace to him. This happens much more than we know. It is easy to meet someone who is truly filled with the spirit of Jesus, and confuse our feelings for this person as something other than what it is. But the spiritually matured person will know how to speak out of wisdom, with a spirit of gentleness.
Have you ever noticed how the apostles could bring a rebuke where a rebuke was needed, and yet leave the person fully intact? This is because the Lord had given them authority to build up, but not to tear down. (Cf. 2Co10:8) The sage said, "Better is an open rebuke than love that is concealed." (Pro27:5)
Why is this so important? It is because the Lord wants us to use our words to build up and to encourage. Even when we have a message to deliver that contains strong corrections and even rebukes, we must deliver that message in a way that we are not damaging those of whom Christ loves. God loves His people and does not take lightly their being mistreated.
Think about it --- Two men can speak on the same subject. One can turn the people off, no matter how knowledgeable he may be. The other can become a blessing to the people, no matter how little education he may have. What made the difference? The sage said, "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly." (Pro15:2)
Does this issue of the tongue speak to all our words? Yes! We must train our tongue to speak only that which will profit the kingdom of God and reach the souls of men and women. This is why there are such strong warnings against gossip and slander.
Some many years ago I was talking with a fellow minister. We were talking about another minister's teachings. I remember making the comment how that I didn't agree with what the man was teaching. It must have been in my attitude, for the Lord instantly rebuked me. I heard in my heart, "Who are you to judge another man's servant. To his own master he stands or falls." Then I heard the Lord say, "Just because you don't agree with a person does not mean that you are right."
That pretty much ended the rebuke. But that was all that was needed. My heart was smitten. I came to repentance. And over the many years I've gained considerable understanding in this area. This is why I try very heard to be cautious about what I say or write. But be sure this is not about not correcting error. It is about the attitude of the heart.
Its not that we can never disagree over a teaching that does not seem to accord with the Scriptures. When Jesus warned the disciples to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees, he left us an example to follow. We can warn concerning bad teachings. What we cannot do is judge or slander a brother or sister in the Lord, or become a talebearer where we are speaking to something that we have no business speaking to.
Where does it all begin? It all begins in the heart. This means that we have to set a watch in two areas. We must set a watch over our heart. We must set a watch over our lips.
In concluding this portion of our study, let me share some Scripture portions that have to do with setting a watch in these two areas.
First the heart: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, from it flow the springs (issues/forces/determinations) of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you." (Pro4:23,24)
Now the mouth: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psa141:3)
Finally we have this very stern warning to those who would claim covenant privileges, and yet ignore how they should be speaking and acting: "What right have you to tell of My statutes and take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. ... You let your mouth loose in evil ... You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son..." (Psa50:16-21)
The study is open. There is much to say about the world of words. Have you any thoughts?
The Lord bless you,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.christianchallenge.org/
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)