by David Brenneman
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such as a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32 NASB.
Do you think at all before you speak? Do you create excuses and personal exemptions for your behavior and language in order to 'enjoy' your life's activities?
This indeed is something the world does in great measure and abundance.
We too, in order to not let go of what makes our enjoyment of pleasures not go away, create exemptions to the Word of God.
We can be just as cruel to others in the world as the world is. We can and we do.
Try going to a city or town with a college or university and wear clothing that's not aligned with that places teams. Doesn't matter if it's a Christian or not, certainly unwholesome words come out of the mouths of the masses.
We lived that example for years. I have the personal testimony of a friend that where they grew up it was the same for them...and they happen to be a Pastor of a church.
In and of themselves, in most cases, these things in our lives are not bad for us. It's what becoming a 'die-hard' fan can do to us that matters entirely. Christians behaving in a certainly un-Christ-like manner. My Dear Reader, check your mouth and motivation at the door.
If the Scriptures explicitly state that we will give an account of EVERY careless word...what manner of Christian ought you to be?
My personal experience is this. I grew up with the family liking of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I got on the bandwagon and was being as those were around me and to be honest it bothered me. But not enough at that point to stop. My high school was the West Wolverines. Try having that and being in Columbus, Ohio where most have a deep seated--honestly hatred--of anything mentioning Wolverine or more specifically Michigan. Out West Wolverines were indeed named after the Michigan Wolverines. Our helmets were similar, just a different paint scheme. Living among people, again Christian and non-Christian alike spewing such hatred wears on a person.
My Pastor friend's experience was the opposite. He lived on the boarder of Michigan and Ohio and was a Ohio State fan and had to live with the hatred and disdain from the opposite direction.
Christians are to guard their hearts.
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:7-8.
Circling back around. I do still like some aspects of football. I am extremely ignorant of the rules and barely know what it takes to get a touchdown let alone a field goal.
I hate what God hates in this that I won't be around people who are going to use a form of entertainment to tear down those whom Jesus died for. There's simply no excuse.
There will be no exemptions for any Believer when they stand before Jesus. If we are going to give an account of our lives before Jesus...that if every careless word spoken we will have to explain...why add to our atrocities in this?
"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37.
I already have enough to have to give an account of before my Savior and Lord. I would prefer not to be intentionally adding to that list...my hope is that you my Dear Reader wouldn't want to intentionally add to your own list.
There are just no exemptions with regards to sinful practices permitted in the Word of God for Believer's.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Every single Believer is to represent Christ to the world and other Believers. Jesus allowed no exemptions to anyone who asked Him on anything in living for Him.
"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:5-7.
Think before you speak.
Think before you say something that might be you excusing your behavior to follow peer pressure.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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