When I first taught the concepts we are discussing this week, I tried to think of a simple phrase to describe what we are trying to do. The Scriptures say we should speak the truth in love, so that is the most Biblical way to say it.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV)
The problem with that phrase is that I've listened as too many people use that phrase as an excuse to beat one another up verbally. The "love" part of the sentence seems to get left out as "truth" is used as a billy club. The thing is, we aren't ever supposed to beat one another up. Jesus took all the beatings people deserved.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:21-24 NIV)
So, the phrase I came up with expressed the same concept but in different words: "Be honestly kind-worded." The phrase stuck. So far, no one has really twisted this in a way that separates it from the Biblical meaning. So, we talk about being honestly kind-worded at Life Bridge. It works for us. Maybe it could work for you, too. Of course, if you would rather quote Scripture directly, here it is.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)
How about you? Do you remember Jesus before beating someone up verbally? Does it help you stop? Do you use the truth to beat up on others, or do you use words in love? Are you honestly kind-worded?
Showing posts with label 15.0.7 - Words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 15.0.7 - Words. Show all posts
Friday, March 13, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
In Love
Women must likewise be...not malicious gossips… (1 Timothy 3:11 NASB)
It's not enough to tell the truth. Truth may be from God and of God, but truth used to tear someone down is not God's way. When you know about someone's sin, for example, God says we should confront our brother with hopes that we can bring him to repentance. It's not acceptable to go talking to everyone else about his sin behind his back. Spreading negatives about someone, even if it is true, is just as wrong.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Instead, we should be sending our words through yet another filter. The first filter only lets truth through. The second filter only lets love through. The passage you just read above here speaks of words that "benefit those who listen." The Greek word translated "benefit" here is "charis." This word is usually translated as "grace" or "gift." That means our words are supposed to be a gift to those who listen.
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-6 NIV)
How about you? Do you use truth to tear others down? Do you have an "unhealthy interest" in arguments and fights? Or, on the other hand, are your words a gift to those who listen? Do you speak the truth in love?
It's not enough to tell the truth. Truth may be from God and of God, but truth used to tear someone down is not God's way. When you know about someone's sin, for example, God says we should confront our brother with hopes that we can bring him to repentance. It's not acceptable to go talking to everyone else about his sin behind his back. Spreading negatives about someone, even if it is true, is just as wrong.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Instead, we should be sending our words through yet another filter. The first filter only lets truth through. The second filter only lets love through. The passage you just read above here speaks of words that "benefit those who listen." The Greek word translated "benefit" here is "charis." This word is usually translated as "grace" or "gift." That means our words are supposed to be a gift to those who listen.
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-6 NIV)
How about you? Do you use truth to tear others down? Do you have an "unhealthy interest" in arguments and fights? Or, on the other hand, are your words a gift to those who listen? Do you speak the truth in love?
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Jesus
Truth is not every thought that comes into our mind. Truth is God's perspective. God wants us to understand that perspective so much that He sent His only Son to become like one of us and show us the truth.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
Jesus embodied truth. Jesus lived truth. Jesus taught truth. Not only that, Jesus encouraged us all to live by truth. When we do, Jesus told us the result of this choice.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 NIV)
Jesus died. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus appeared before hundreds of eyewitnesses. Then Jesus ascended into heaven. Before leaving, Jesus promised to send his Spirit. Once again, Jesus points us to the truth.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13 NIV)
When we walk by the Spirit, we are living out Truth. When we live as Jesus' disciples, we embody God's truth. When we live by the truth, we walk together with God.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:21 NIV)
How about you? Are you a disciple of Jesus? Do you walk by the Spirit? Do you live by the truth?
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
Jesus embodied truth. Jesus lived truth. Jesus taught truth. Not only that, Jesus encouraged us all to live by truth. When we do, Jesus told us the result of this choice.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 NIV)
Jesus died. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus appeared before hundreds of eyewitnesses. Then Jesus ascended into heaven. Before leaving, Jesus promised to send his Spirit. Once again, Jesus points us to the truth.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13 NIV)
When we walk by the Spirit, we are living out Truth. When we live as Jesus' disciples, we embody God's truth. When we live by the truth, we walk together with God.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:21 NIV)
How about you? Are you a disciple of Jesus? Do you walk by the Spirit? Do you live by the truth?
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Truth
Truth may not be what you think it is. Truth is not every thought that comes into your mind. Saying things that are illegal, immoral, or just plain wrong because "I have to tell you the truth" does not match God's definition of truth.
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4 NIV)
Words from God are truth. God's instruction is truth. God's perspective is truth.
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV)
The question, then, becomes this: "Does the thought in my mind match God's truth or not?" I'll say it a different way: "Is this thought from God or not?" When we recognize thought that are from God and only let those out of our mouth in words, we are speaking truth.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)
God recognized that we have "bad boxes" (thoughts) that come into our minds. God recognizes that we have thoughts that are not pure, perfect, holy, or true. That's why God sent His Son, reconciling us to Himself after we didn't listen to His truth. That's why God sent His Spirit, to lead us into and strengthen our resolve in God's truth. When we follow God's truth, in our words and deeds, we are worshiping God in truth.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24 NIV)
How about you? Do you recognize when your thoughts are true? Do you speak the truth? Do you act on the truth? Do you worship God in Spirit and truth?
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4 NIV)
Words from God are truth. God's instruction is truth. God's perspective is truth.
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV)
The question, then, becomes this: "Does the thought in my mind match God's truth or not?" I'll say it a different way: "Is this thought from God or not?" When we recognize thought that are from God and only let those out of our mouth in words, we are speaking truth.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)
God recognized that we have "bad boxes" (thoughts) that come into our minds. God recognizes that we have thoughts that are not pure, perfect, holy, or true. That's why God sent His Son, reconciling us to Himself after we didn't listen to His truth. That's why God sent His Spirit, to lead us into and strengthen our resolve in God's truth. When we follow God's truth, in our words and deeds, we are worshiping God in truth.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24 NIV)
How about you? Do you recognize when your thoughts are true? Do you speak the truth? Do you act on the truth? Do you worship God in Spirit and truth?
Monday, March 9, 2015
Words
Leadership in Christ's Church is not about power, position, or politics. It's about walking with God and helping others do the same. When we see someone exhibiting the fruit of God's Spirit, we can ask them how they do it. The more mature they are in their walk with God, the better they will be able to explain it.
Now the overseer is to be...able to teach… (1 Timothy 3:2 NIV)
Overseers, often times called elders or bishops, have experience enough to teach us what they've learned. They not only know how to share the truth of God's Word, but they can share the practical application of that word from practice in their own lives.
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9 NIV)
Not only can they explain how God's Word works in a practical way. They can explain how it doesn't work. They recognize false teaching, bad wisdom, and ways that simply do not work. Once again, they've learned from experience.
Deacons likewise must be...not double-tongued… (1 Timothy 3:8 NASB)
Servant leaders may not be as far along in their walk as elders, but they have learned not to talk out of both sides of their mouths. Instead, they speak only the truth. Leadership is about walking with Go an helping others do the same.
How about you? Do people see God at work in your life? Do they ask you how you do it? Are you able to share with them? Do you turn to others more mature than you to help you in your walk?
Now the overseer is to be...able to teach… (1 Timothy 3:2 NIV)
Overseers, often times called elders or bishops, have experience enough to teach us what they've learned. They not only know how to share the truth of God's Word, but they can share the practical application of that word from practice in their own lives.
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9 NIV)
Not only can they explain how God's Word works in a practical way. They can explain how it doesn't work. They recognize false teaching, bad wisdom, and ways that simply do not work. Once again, they've learned from experience.
Deacons likewise must be...not double-tongued… (1 Timothy 3:8 NASB)
Servant leaders may not be as far along in their walk as elders, but they have learned not to talk out of both sides of their mouths. Instead, they speak only the truth. Leadership is about walking with Go an helping others do the same.
How about you? Do people see God at work in your life? Do they ask you how you do it? Are you able to share with them? Do you turn to others more mature than you to help you in your walk?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)