October 10—A Pearl for Today
“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25).
“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another” (Gal. 5:14-15).
WORTHY OR WORTHLESS WORDS
Don and I have been in ministry for 40-plus years. While most of our ministry has been in Christian camping and a para-church organization, Don has also served as pastor and interim pastor of numerous churches. He is often called to be a guest speaker at churches while the pastor is away.
We are concerned about the state of the church today.
As we travel around, we notice a contrary spirit in some church bodies. Sometimes a spirit of criticism and divisiveness in these churches even threatens to destroy them. Seeing this grieves my heart, because it grieves Jesus Christ, the head of the church.
Read again the verses in Hebrews and Galatians. Which is a description of your local church body? Which describes your words at church? When you feel uneasy about your words and actions, realize that is the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Listen to Him! Stop, now! Confess and repent. To repent means to change direction. Change direction! Obey the Lord. Speak words of encouragement and stimulation to good deeds.
Think about your church family. Are they “stimulated to love” by your words or are they encouraged to hate? Expose your words to the searchlight of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 6:45: “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say” (NLT). The problem originates in our hearts and God is the only One who can change hearts.
Psalm 139:4: “Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, Thou doest know it all” (NASB). The Lord knows every word on our tongues before we speak. Ask Him to pluck off any word that needs not to be said.
He who throws dirt loses ground.
