Speaking Evil Of Others In Christ
You know the world at large is so busy worrying about what everyone but themselves are doing that even good Christians are looking down their noses at other Christians. Does anyone really think that telling everyone on your email lists, and every person you work with about this so called bad Christian, or that so called bad Christian is going to win them favor with God? Do you really think that backbiting your brother or sister in Christ is going to win you favor when you stand before God? Do you actually say to yourself oh this is a bad Christian this person is not a Christian at all when you decide to write everyone on your email list about how this brother or sister said this that or the other thing? Now let me ask you,………..Are you God? Do you know for sure another’s heart? Do you know for sure that someone is not a Christian?
God knows for sure, no one else, rather that person is saved or not. We cannot, even the smartest most well read person, cannot for one minute decide if one person or another is saved. Do you recall some preachers saying we will be surprised at who is and who is not in Heaven? Why do you think that is? We brothers and sisters are to honor one another. Jesus spoke of honoring one another as well as him. That means we are to Honor without question those who are above us such as our preachers, teachers, presidents, cops, whomever is an authority figure over us. We are to Honor our peers ,meaning those who are on an equal footing with us. We are to also Honor the young ones in our lives. Those who are below us such as our children, our grandchildren, students we teach. How my friends, are you, who are spreading vicious speak about a brother or sister, a preacher or teacher, or even a president we do not happen to want in office, spreading, growing, and widening the Lords Kingdom? The Lord obviously has a plan in mind, if according to us the wrong President gets into office, and like or dislike him, we must honor him.
When you stand before your Father in Heaven, will he look at you and say thanks for making the very man I chose for this Job or that position of authority look bad? No he will say shame shame on you. Will that be a reward or a blessing? No I tell you the truth it will be burned like the chaff in the fire and turn to dust and ash. You will have no excuse for it none at all.
Will God ever show honor to one who has done something wrong? No for sure he would not. We are to love our neighbor as ourself. Would you go around telling people bad things about yourself? Of course not,so why are you saying bad things about your brother or sister in Christ? How do you know for sure someone is saved or not? Do you think God Needs you to go spreading lies rumors gossip or trash about a preacher, a brother, a sister, a teacher? If you say to yourself self we need to warn the world against this man woman or child, where does God come into that? God does not enter into that thought anywhere because if you came to him with it he would tell your heart do not say a word against this person.
We must at all times watch our tongues. The very words that come out of our mouths can kill maim and hurt forever. The very words from our mouths can put us in hell. Psalm 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking deceit. 1Peter 3:10 People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and their lips from speaking deceitful things. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
James 3:5-18, 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
One day we will eat our words before God, will you eat poison or fruit? 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
See that depart from iniquity.
Brothers and sisters in closing let me say this,as a human being I know it is not one tiny bit easy to keep our mouths shut. God never once promised being one of his own would be easy. No it is hard and full of snares the devil sets before us. We must live our lives filled with faith and God’s strength in us, around us, and on us. We must love one another first and foremost. You think you know by their fruits if someone is saved or not? Well no matter what my heart thinks I know I could be wrong always. Therefore I will now, not utter, dislike, disdain, or anything that could hurt someone. I do not say anything anymore to another person about another person that I would not say about myself. Remember these words of Paul in 2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We do not wish to be like the rest of the world who are not aliens in the world but partakers of its sinful delights, 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Also the verse Proverbs 23:7 that says so as a man thinks so is he? Be careful of your thoughts as well. If you begin to think bad thoughts think positive thoughts instead find something to like about that person. Find something positive about them. If we speak life over ourselves and those around us, then life will be much more abundantly joy filled.
Love in Christ Jesus, Prayer Warrior/Tammy