Does Your Speech Betray You?

In the 12th chapter of Judges there is an interesting story.  Jephthah leads the men of Gilead into battle against the Ammonites, only they neglect to ask the Ephraimites to join them in the battle.  Now maybe it's because I'm a girl, but I believe I would breathe a sigh of relief to that.  But no, the men of Ephraim come to Jephthah rather peeved, threatening to burn down Jephthah's house in retaliation for being left out of the fun.  And just to add insult to injury they are going to leave Jephthah inside the house.  While it is burning.  Well evidently the Gileadites were still feeling the rush of the victory over the Ammonite battle, for they just turned and went to war with Ephraim.  Many of the men of Ephraim fled from the battle and so the men of Gilead cut off their path of retreat where they were to cross the river Jordan.  If, when they went to cross over, they answered the question "Are you an Ephraimite?" with "Nay", then they were told to say, "Shibboleth".  I gather, not unlike the notorious Bostonion  "R", the Sh blend was not easily pronounced in the Ephraim dialect.  Therefore it came out 'Sibboleth', and at that point the man was promptly killed.

There is another incidence in the Bible where we read of a man's speech giving him away. In the 26th chapter of Matthew we are with Peter as he is standing afar off while Jesus is being questioned, beaten and readied for his crucifixion.  After he denies several times being one of the followers of Jesus, in verse 73 a man actually says to him, "Surely you are one of them, for your speech betrayeth you."  Whether it was his dialect or his manner of speech, Peter sets out to disprove them by promptly swearing and denying even knowing Jesus.  We all know the rest of the story, for the rooster then crows and Peter is reminded, heartbreakingly so, of Christ's prediction of Peter's upcoming denial at His greatest hour of need.

Jesus had, in Matt. 12:34-37, told the people that out of the abundance of the heart man speaks.  What is in our hearts will show itself by what comes out of our mouths.  That is such a blatant condemnation, that most of us are in immediate denial.  Words spoken in a moment of anger surely don't count, do they?  Emotions get the best of us and before we have a moment to think about it the words are out.  Surely no one is going to hold us to those words, are they?  What about times when we just aren't thinking?  Carelessness shouldn't count should it?  Are we to be condemned for out and out stupidity?

Think about what the core of each of these episodes were about.  They revealed who the men were.  The speech of the men of Ephraim clearly exposed them as being Ephraimites.  Peter, even though he tried to disguise his speech could not hide who he truly was from the people around him.  Read exactly what Jesus said:

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

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 an account thereof in the day of judgment.

 Mt. 12:34-36

Frankly, we do not like the sound of this because we are appalled at how often what proceeds out of our mouths is not a positive reflection of what would be in our hearts.  The truth of the matter is it is much easier to clean up the outside, to polish the outer image, than it is to clean up the inside.  The outside can be faked, can't it?  We can put on an artificial facade much more easily than we can change the inner man.  But God is very clear that this won't work for very long.  Eventually the truth will be known.  But if you've tried it, you know that cleaning up the inside yourself is an exercise in futility.  We try, but it doesn't seem to work.  It's not unlike the gesture of washing a child's mouth out with soap for using bad language.  The mouth isn't the issue; the issue is the heart.  And the fact of the matter is that at the heart of us all is a sin nature that should be crucified, right?  But it continues to raise its ugly head and seek its way over and over, trying to gain dominance and power in our lives.  We feel powerless and frustrated over it.  And in a sense we are powerless, but there is an answer.

 The answer lies not in us gaining control, but in releasing control, in surrendering control.  As we allow God to purify us and sanctify us through His Word, through walking in His Spirit and growing in grace, we find we begin to diminish, and He will increase.  As we surrender more and more of our hearts and lives to control of the Holy Spirit, as we walk more and more in the light of His Word; as our lives yield more and more of the fruit of the Spirit we will see the impact of it in our speech.  As we yield control of our lives to the Spirit of God, our mouths will follow.  

I believe our speech does matter.  Idle words as well as words forethought with malice.  It is easy to point fingers to those who go around spewing venom and hatred as the ones with speech problems, those with vulgar, ugly language as the ones with the problems.  The gossipers, the brawlers, the ones with the uncontrollable tempers.  But the Irish proverb, "words are like an arrow let fly" is applicable here, for it matters not if the string of the bow was released while being aimed at a target with deadly intent, or haphazardly with no thought of where the arrow would land.  If the arrow hits a soft spot, the pain of impact is the same, regardless of intent.  Thoughtlessness is wrong as well.  We must apply wisdom to our words, at all times.  When we cause injury or harm with our words, we need to take responsibility for them.  If malice or purpose was in play, forgiveness may not come as easily, but must be sought just the same.  Words matter, God said so.  He is teaching me some important lessons here....and I have much to learn still. 

Max on Life, by Max Lucado

I just finished reading “Max on Life, Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions”, the latest book by author Max Lucado. This book is a compilation of some of the most pressing, difficult and maybe even complex questions Max has been asked in his more than 30 years as a pastor, husband and father. Imagine if you had the opportunity to sit down and ask him your most nagging question. This may well be your opportunity. The questions range from 'How can I know God truly exists?' to 'What will our bodies look like in Heaven?'

Written in his familiar style, this book is simple yet at the same time not shallow. A person who is unfamiliar with the Bible will not feel condescended to, while the Bible scholar may find themselves even yet challenged. As always with a book by Mr Lucado, I was moved, inspired and entertained. I encourage you to add this book to your collection.

Wisdom for the Ages

I am currently writing and teaching a Bible study on wisdom from the book of Proverbs.  I want to share here a tidbit from the lesson I taught just last night to the ladies attending the class.  

Doth not wisdom cry?  and understanding put forth her voice?  She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors:  Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.  Proverbs 8:1-5

There is an interesting word in this passage.  Notice that word 'simple'?  It means more than what we use it for.  We think of simple as something easy or uncomplicated.  This word simple means "silly, seducible".  There is another passage in the Bible where this word is used.  Over in 2 Timothy 3:1-7:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.  Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
 
The most immediate thing I notice is the judgment on our day.  We need only read the words once through to recognize that we are indeed living in the 'last days' and these indeed are 'perilous times'.  I once was skeptical of the phrase stating that they would be creeping into houses, but no longer.  With our television options, internet speed and movies streaming onto our phones, laptops not to mention our flatscreen t.v.'s, I no longer question any creeping.  The media and entertainment industry has us hooked.  Wirelessly.


Consider further what Satan plans to do with this: lead us into captivity.  What? No.  Yes.  (I can hear you.)  Captivity is nothing but bondage.  Well, bondage to what, you may ask.  I'm glad you did, but only you can answer that.  2 Timothy says that we are 'led away with divers lusts,'.  That means they are different from person to person.  Only you know what the lust of your flesh is, only you know what your potential addiction is.  Correction:  you, God and Satan know.  And trust me, he will do all he can to capitalize upon that knowledge.


That is the reason for the use of the term silly women used by Paul.  That term means foolish women.  So we need to go back to Proverbs for some wisdom!  The 5th verse of the 8th chapter addresses the simple, imploring them to understand wisdom and to have an understanding heart.  Read these verses from chapter 9:


Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:  She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.  She hath sent forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest places of the city, whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Verse 10:  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.

If we don't want to be listed with the silly women, the foolish women, those who are led away captive, then we need to pursue and seek wisdom.  We need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.  Appropriate His wisdom and use it.  


I am looking forward to completing this study as we take different topics from the book of Proverbs and look at them.  Some of them will be purity, reputation, self-control, words and greed.  Look for more posts on these topics in the upcoming weeks.

The Convenient Groom, by Denise Hunter

What happens when all of your carefully laid plans fall apart at your feet?  What do you do when the most unlikely of all rescuers offers the perfect solution to the biggest problem you've ever faced?  That is the situation that Kate Lawrence finds herself in in "The Convenient Groom", an entertaining read by author Denise Hunter.  A charming allegory of Christ's love for us, of His unselfish sacrifice and often unrequited love, Lucas Wright offers to step in as groom when Kate finds herself jilted just hours before her wedding.  In the media spotlight as the author of a book on finding Mr Right, syndicated columnist and marriage counselor,Kate is feeling humiliated and terrified of what exposure of being left at the altar will do to her career and book launch.  With secret love in his heart, in steps Lucas.


The story that unfolds of these two is heart-warming, funny and endearing.  A true picture of what love and relationships can and should be.  I will look for more from this author.

The Power Based Life, by Mike Flynt

This book, not a simple weekend read I will warn you, is written by a former football player turned salesman.  He lays out in 12  steps how to harness your power base, and turn your wishes into goals and eventually into realities in your life.  Using Biblical principals and the fundamentals of hard work he will challenge you to overcome your fears, re-focus your drive and inspire you to climb out of the box you currently are dwelling in.  You will not see your world the same.

Heaven is for Real

From the moment I began to read the story of Todd and Sonja Burpo and their son Colton, I was fascinated.  This is a human drama of a family from rural America faced with the very real chance of their 3 ½ year old son dying before their eyes, so they set out to fight for his survival.  Going to battle for him, both on the medical and spiritual front, they watch this tiny little warrior pull through, only to later hear an amazing story from him.  Little Colton tells his parent, in the matter of fact way that only toddlers can, of being in Heaven.  Skeptical at first, as I admit I am, his parents are brought around as details that he could not possibly know first-hand trip glibly off this four year old tongue. 

On a human level, I was touched and moved.  I was encouraged and smiled widely to think of my own dad whom only a few months ago I bid farewell to as a not quite 71 year old Alzheimer’s patient, young again in the place Colton described so vividly.  To visualize him with no physical ailments and with a mind sharp and keen again is a wonderful image, no doubt.  As I read of Colton being swept into an embrace by the sister miscarried by his mom that he never knew about, I felt tears coursing down my cheeks.  As this child reassured his mother that Jesus’ Dad had adopted this little girl and that she couldn’t wait for her parents to arrive in heaven, I pictured all the people I knew over the years grieving over their personal losses.  I, too, have an unnamed child awaiting, and at least three grandchildren who will be added to our family table.

These details are things that make me yearn for this story to be true, for they are elements that bring peace and joy to our hearts.  To think of Jesus holding children on His lap in Heaven and answering our prayers personally is our dream.  But I am stumped as to how and why this happened, I guess.  Why this little boy, and why now?  Why not more often?

Paul was taken up to the third heaven, I know, but was forbidden to speak of the things he saw.  So why was little Colton given liberty the Apostle Paul wasn’t?  I don’t know.  Is this story true?  I’m not sure. 

But this I do know:  We do not base our faith on books written by men, we do not look for peace, comfort and truth in the tales told by our fellow men or pastors.  Truth comes from the inspired Word of God.  That is the basis for our hope, that is where we must look for truth.  If what we read does not line up with the Word, we must wonder.  But, in spite of it all, they did get the title right, because Heaven is so Real.

Circling the Pit of Despair

When someone asked me recently why I had not written anything on my blog for awhile, I was surprised.  First of all, I guess, that someone had noticed, secondly that it had been almost two months.  I’m not counting the book reviews.  The fact is that I’ve made several attempts.  That were horrendous.  The reason is rather embarrassing for me: I’ve been circling the pit of despair. 
    Notice I said circling this pit, not that I’ve been in it.  To be completely honest, I’m not sure if I’m qualified to diagnose myself, but I’m going to do it anyway.  I’ve tried to avoid jumping right in simply because I’m terrified I’d never get out.  Being a child of God has helped me simply because I have continued to stay in the Word on a daily basis, and while I haven’t had the same joyous fellowship as at other times I fear where I would be if I had been fasting from God’s Word. 
    How I came to be at this particular place is unimportant, but not irrelevant.  Circumstances, health, age, whatever.  Things conspire together to bring us to a place where we feel down, defeated, even somewhat near despair.  For me, it was a culmination of a year-long series of events, maybe longer.  Then a change of medication finally did me in.  Sure enough, when I researched it on line, there it was in black and white: one of the side effects was depression.  Terrific.  Just what I needed in my life.  But what to do about it?  I refuse to get in the medication maze.  Take this one to treat this condition, then this one to off-set this side effect which brings on a whole other set of issues.  No, that will not be my life.   But I could not deny the reality of what I am dealing with.  Then I read Psalm 77.
    The mind is real.  No doubt about it.  God created it, he designed it.  He designed me and He knows me.  He cares about me.  So on the morning I was feeling the most despair, this is what I read.

I cried  unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice;
And he gave ear unto me
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord:
My sore ran in the night, and ceased not:
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled:
I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.

Now read verse 10-14:

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High
I will remember the works of the Lord:
Surely I will remember thy wonders of old
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings
Thy way O God, is in the sanctuary:
Who is so great a God as our God?
Thou art the God that does wonders:
Thou has declared thy strength among the people.

    How will I deal with this ‘infirmity’?  By remembering God…by remembering the works of the Lord, the wonders of old, by meditating on all of His works and talking about how great my God is.  When I focus not on me, not on what is going on with me and how I am doing, but by simply remembering Him, who He is, what He has done for me, I will find a way.  The last few verses of the Psalm go like this:

Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah
The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee;
They were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
The clouds poured out water: skies sent out a sound:
Thine arrows also went abroad.
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven:
The lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook
Thy way is in the sea, and thy path is in the great waters,
And thy footsteps are not known
Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

    Remember the children of Israel?  Lost in the wilderness, God cared for them, protected them, and led them.  Just like He did for them, He gives me the same promises.  Redemption.  Protection from the waters of fear overflowing me, water in the dry desert of my soul for refreshing, arrows for defense against the attacks of the enemy, His voice and His light, His path for guidance and the assurance that He will lead me out of this darkness. 
    Psalm 77 has the word ‘Hope’ written beside it in my Bible.  I am His child, and I do not have to live beside the pit of despair, nor circle endlessly it.  God’s promises lead us away from it, Satan’s lies build dwellings in the thick of it.  It is not an easy path, for the enemy is relentless.  But God is mighty and powerful, and if He be for us, who can stand against us?
    If and when you find yourself in a dark place, near that pit of despair, look up this Psalm.  Make it your own.  Our hope is only in the Lord, in remembering what Jesus Christ has done for us, how He has made a difference in our life in the past, how He has redeemed us, touched us, known us and cared for us.  Focus on who God is and on His mighty works, His power, His holiness.  He never changes.  God bless.