If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
Summary: God holds us accountable for using His Word correctly.
Peter has been telling us how to live for God. He started by adopting Jesus’ attitude towards suffering. Then he tells us about loving each other, hospitality, and using our gifts. Now he talks about the gifts themselves.
We all talk, but not everyone is gifted with the skill for teaching or speaking to a group. When it comes to teaching about God, there is an accountability that goes with the job.
Matthew records Jesus as saying, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
James tells us that, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)
If anyone speaks, they do well to speak the words of God. The Bible is complete. The Bible is the Word of God.
Application: Use the Bible to explain the Bible.
Food for Thought: What is the danger of adding things to the Word of God? (See Revelation 22:18-19)
Something that popped in my head from somewhere.” If you really want to hear God, then read your Bible out loud. “
This is the quote.
“If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read your Bible out loud.”
Thank you, Tim!
Great reminder!
There’s real danger doing things that lead others astray in the word.
Thank you for the excellent devotion brother. And I agree with Tim that adding to the word can lead people away from God.
When we add to the word we are creating a new, different word that is man’s word. We are replacing the solid truth with our own ideas and suggesting that God needs help. Our goal as teachers is to accurately discern God’s word and draw out the plain meaning of the text (exegesis). When we place our ideas into the text that is eisogesis – and that detracts from the truth. 2 Timothy 2: 15.
Great reference verse, Rich.
“…a worker who …correctly handles the word of truth.”
That is a challenging task mostly because it is so hard to get past the planks in our own eyes. (Matthew 7:3)
Plagues are not good,..it seems as though we have one going on now,..CV-19,..could that have been brought on by all the TV evangelists telling others that God told them that they needed a new jet plane? Could it have been brought on by all those behind the pulpit that have strayed away from the Word and have been putting twists on it for themselves? Could it be caused by all the ones in the pews just sitting there not doing what God has asked of them? I am sure there are many things that have attributed to this virus / plague going around,..one thing for sure is that this country has been turned away from God in soo many ways,..no prayer in schools, the phrase under God has been deleted from the pledge of allegiance, and “so help me God” has been taken out of the courts when you place your hand over the Bible to swear to the truth and nothing but the truth,..things here have shifted drastically,..the United States has been stumbling over the Word of God for a long time now,..sad but true,..
I have stepped out of the pew sorta speak to do my part in telling others about Jesus,..personally I am sick and tired of watching the United States stumble over the truth that comes from God’s word written in the Bible,..His word will never change,..we need to bank on that!
Amen!
What is the danger of adding things to the Word of God?
The word or God seems pretty clear on this one.
Proverbs 10:8, The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Proverbs 17:28, Even a callous, arrogant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible prudent, discreet and a man of understanding.
Proverbs 18:2, A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Proverbs 21:23, Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Matthew 12:36-37, I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
James 1:26, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
James 3:5, 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!
Great verses, Ron.
Proverbs 18:2 is especially appropriate in this day and age of social media.
Thank you Ron. This is one thing I am trying to work on. I have to learn these verses more everyday.