Tag: foolish

Be Careful of the Words You Speak

Be Careful of the Words You Speak

We may not always realize how important our spoken words are.  The Scriptures have a lot to say about our mouths, tongues and lips.  There are too many passages to share with you here, but if this topic interests you, it is a worthwhile study to pursue.

Let’s just look at a few of these verses.

What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.  (Lk 12:3 NIV)

This verse above from Luke 12, is warning us that those things that we believe that we are speaking in secret will eventually be shouted from the rooftops!  If we keep that in mind, we’ll be much more circumspect with what we say and how much we say when we think that “no one else” is listening.

Words from a wise person’s mouth are beneficial, but fools are devoured by their own lips.  13 Fools start out talking foolishness and end up speaking awful nonsense.  (Eccl 10:12-13 CEB)

This Bible passage in Ecclesiastes reminds us that wise words will benefit the hearers, but foolish remarks and comments can damage and destroy.  Foolish conversation, according to this, can devour the very speaker of those words!  God forbid!

Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.  (Mt 10:27 NKJV)

Matthew is admonishing us to share the wise words that he shares.  They are wise because they are about salvation—the gift of God.  Only whatever is things are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and praiseworthy should be shared. (Phil 4:8)  All of these traits are found in Jesus Christ and in God’s incomparable gift of salvation. 

Share the truth of the Good News, and you shall bring blessings upon not only the hearers but upon yourself, as well.  God bless you!

The Lord Knows our Thoughts

The Lord Knows our Thoughts

Only someone who is very foolish thinks that they can hide something from God!  We can’t even hide our thoughts from God.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  (Ps 139:1-2 NKJV)  This verse from Scripture says that God knows all of our actions as well as our thoughts.

I know where you live, how you go out and come in, and how you rage against me.  (2 Kgs 19:27 CEB)  The Lord is even aware of when we’re angry with Him.

. . . the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.  (Ps 94:11 ESV) 

 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  (Heb 4:13 NIV)  EVERYTHING that concern each and every one of us is revealed to God.

If we had forgotten the name of our God     or lifted our hands to a foreign god, wouldn’t God find out since he knows the secrets of the heart?  (Ps 44:20-21 ISV)  God knows the very secrets of our hearts.

So what can we do about this truth from the Bible?  How can we repent before God for our sinful thoughts, and go forward in a righteous way?

Ask God to forgive you for any thoughts that you can remember that He would recognize as sin—or that you know are sinful. 

Next, ask Him to give you the grace to remember that He knows your every thought.  Also, try to remember that God never leaves you nor forsakes you. 

The Lord, the Holy Spirit, is constantly with each and every one of us.  He doesn’t leave when we enter a tavern, a drug party or a movie theater showing an immoral movie.  He is right there with us; and if we remember that, it will help us to live in a way that will bring God glory.

If we remember that God knows our EVERY thought, and that He is with us AT ALL TIMES, we will have the grace that we need to face these temptations and to resist them to the glory of God.  In this way, and many more, the Lord becomes our strength.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Phil 4:13) Praise God!

Teach Us to Number Our Days

Teach Us to Number Our Days

Some Bible verses discuss the lifespan of human beings.  Why is this important to followers and servants of Jesus Christ?  That’s what we’re considering today.

Our time on earth is brief; the number of our days is already decided by you.  (Job 14:15 CEV)

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  (Ps 90:12)

I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like a locust.  (Ps 109:23)

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.  (Ps 144:4)

One thing that we have to remember is that our time on earth is limited, and so it’s good to learn to value each day enormously.  Once we accept the brevity of life, we will be more inclined to seek God’s wisdom, leading and guidance for living rich, meaningful, and eternally significant lives that will bring glory to God.

We don’t want to take the gift of life for granted.  We don’t want to waste our days on foolish, selfish pursuits that have no real value.  Those would be pursuits that eventually, at their conclusion, can bless no one else but ourselves and that bring pleasure to and minister to no one other than ourselves. Some such ventures might even be sinful or evil.

Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord, all that we need for daily sustenance will be given to us by the Lord according to Matthew 6:33. 

The Lord wants His people to learn, to grow, and to seek His wisdom. 

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.  (Pro 2:1-11 NIV) As we learn to number our days, we regard each day as a precious gift as well as an opportunity to store up treasure in heaven that will please God.  Glory!

Put Away Anger & Envy

Put Away Anger & Envy

For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.  (Job 5:2 KJV)

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.  (Eccl 7:9 NKJV)

 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?  How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?  23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”  (Pro 1:22-23 ESV)

Don’t be silly or foolish (as described in the Bible verses above), but put away anger and envy.  Anger gives a foothold to the devil in your life, so try to avoid it.  Envy is another word for bitterness, jealousy, resentment or spite.

Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to control your emotions as you study God’s Word.  The Lord wants to help you so that He may bless you.

The Bible tells us repeatedly not to envy other people.  You may study this by looking at these passages:  Proverbs 3:31; 23:17; 24:1, 19.  The Bible lists envy among a list of vile things in Mark 7:21-23.

Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.  (Pro 19:11 NLT)  When something happens that hurts or offends you, your first option is to ignore the aggression.  In other words, take no notice of another person’s attack.  Other people will respect you all the more when they see how you handle it.  And the Lord will be pleased with your response.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  (Eph 4:31 NIV)  Sometimes, due to the nature of the wrongdoing against you, it can’t be overlooked.  In that case, give yourself time to calm down and to gain control of your thoughts and feelings.  Plan out what needs to be said, and what you’d like to see happen.  Then take an objective, wise person along with you to speak with the person who offended you.  Try to resolve the issue between you and to restore peace.

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”  Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.  (Eph 4:26-27 NLT)  Don’t allow your emotions to control you.  You are in control of them because you have the Holy Spirit living within you.  The Holy Spirit within you produces the fruit of self-control.  (Eph 5:22-23 NLT)

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  (Pro 16:32 NLT)  As this Scripture reminds us, it’s better to be patient than powerful!  It’s far better to have self-control than to be in search of fame.