January 22, 2004

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be." James 3:10

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:" 1 John 4:20

Have you ever stopped to think that when we speak a word against someone what we are really saying is, "I don’t love God!"  As loudly as we speak against someone else that is the same volume with which we are declaring we don’t love Him.  How can I say that?  Well, because the Bible tells us to love our brothers, sisters, neighbors and enemies (I think that pretty much covers everyone doesn’t it?)  And when we speak against them that is not loving them.  So what we are saying is, "I have a total disrespect for the Word of God!"  We are showing by our words against others that we do not take heed to what the Bible says.  We are showing that we do not have enough respect, knowledge or belief in God to do what He says.  We might still say we believe in Him (and maybe we do because the devils also believe but yet don’t obey the Word of God) but we don’t love Him or know Him because if we did we would do what He says.  If we know Him we will know the wisdom of doing what He says.

But how can you say that someone doesn’t know God if they do that?  Well, it’s either that they don’t know Him or that they are rebelling against Him.  And since love chooses to believe the best about everyone I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they’re ignorant of God and His ways rather than outright rebelling against Him.

We get concerned about our reputation don’t we?  We would not intentionally shout out our faults in front of others would we?  We wouldn’t speak about our sins as if we were proud of them would we?  Well if we would realize that every critical word we speak against another person we are boldly declaring our ignorance.  We are boldly declaring our defiance against the Word of God.  We may be able to fool some people but we’re not going to fool God.  And we’re not going to fool those who are mature in the ways of love either.  So the next time you find yourself being critical, complaining or disobedient to the Word of God in any area then remind yourself what you are really saying.  Remind yourself that you are really shouting your ignorance or defiance of the Word of God.

You say, but isn’t God merciful?  Yes, He’s merciful.  But He’s bound by His Word and He has given us His principles to live by in order for us to be able to live in His blessing.  If we don’t choose to live by His Word then we will reap the consequences and when that happens it’s not God’s fault, but ours.  Now don’t get all offended and mad at me.  Remember what Jesus said to His disciples when people got offended at Him?  He asked them if they were going to leave also and Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life (John 6:63)."  The Word of God is words of life.  Let’s not turn from them, but turn to them instead.