"The Substance of the Spoken Word"

"...Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Col. 3:17. " In the blessed name of our Lord Jesus, I write this dis- sertation, for the subject of wholesome communication has been a subject which the Holy Spirit has been greatly pressing upon my heart. Daily, I hear the corrupt communication of others around me, therefore I have found a passion to bridle all my words with the love of God. Words are extremely powerful, and too often we are not thoughtful of the feelings of those we speak to. Take men for instance, brawny, tough, hard as steel, this is how we present ourselves to those around us, when we are in all reality sensitive creatures deep down inside. Sarcastic accusations presumably don't bother us/ for we're tough guys, right? Lets be realistic for a change; and come to terms with reality. Words surly cut, even much deeper than the sharpest knife. Take these harsh words for example: "You're a real loser", this degrading implication has bewildering consequences for the receiver. When those words are heard repeated- ly they tend to break down ones structure into destruction. The re- cipient of such cutting words over a period of time, will in no doubt, begin to believe he is a loser. As Christians; we must be temple uplifters; not temple destroyers! Where is the humanity?

"Ye have heard that it hath been said; Thou shalt love thy neighbor; and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you; Love your enem- ies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you; and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you; what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only; what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect; even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" Matthew 5:43-48. 0 yes, love your enemies too! You see as Christians we must be Christ-like, if we would just bridle our tongues as if Christ was involved in our conversation, our lights would sure shine brighter! When Jesus said, "Be ye perfect"; He is implying that we be mature in all we do. The Greek word for perfect is; teleios; which means; complete (in var- ious applications of labor; growth, mental; and moral character; etc.); completeness:-of full age; man; perfect. So we can clearly see what the will of God is concerning how we treat others, we must do unto others as we would have them do unto us! Life can be very fulfilling if we would speak with wholesome communication. Even our actions must be disciplined. For instance, when someone literally stumbles or falls, don't be an ignoramus and laugh at the individual, reach out, help them up; be sure they ace okay; and comfort them from others who may ridicule. Let us be men and women of integrity, not foolish gawkers and babblers! Our heavenly Father loves us dearly as His children, and He is repulsed by the disobedience of sin. In Proverbs 6; Solomon writes of seven things the Lord hates; "These six things doth the Lord hate; yea; seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look; a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; feet that be swift in run- ning to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies; and he that soweth discord among brethren". Think about that profound statement; do we ever stir up strife or entangle someone's emotions by arrogant gestures and speech? Do we sow discord in others by insulting them or finding their mistakes food for our wicked humor? I feel such sorrow when I see someone's broken feelings through their weary eyes. Why do so many find such fulfillment in wounding others with evil words? I don't know about you, but I think it is high time we start living lives of integrity and instituting pure? Mature motives. Lets glorify God, not be abominations to Him! If someone is lacking in intelligence or has physical "defects", encourage them in their weaknesses, don't crush the little strength they have. Jesus says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steals and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly". (John 10:10). This thief is Satan, Satan thrives on stealing strength? he just loves to kill, and he glories in destruction. Do we ever steal the strength of others through ill words, or how about murdering the self esteem of others, or destroying ones confidence? God have mercy.

There is no excuse for such corruptive actions; either we are the children of God, or children of the devil, there is no happy medium. "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another".

Where's the love? Where's the compassion for others? Where are the wholesome words that build up and not break down? God surly is grief stricken by these blatant acts of sin. Even our thought life must come under the subjection of the Holy Spirit. For righteousness begins from within our hearts! "0 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 evil things. But I say unto you. That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned" (Matthew 12:34-37). Powerful words from our all-powerful Savior Jesus Christ. God don't play no games people, let us not play games with Him. If you hate someone, you are a murderer, straight-up! "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Who- soever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? " (I John 3:14-17).

This all boils down to how we think of each other and how we treat each other. Who do you resemble, the world or Christ? How do you format your speech and actions, are you an up-lifter or a des- troyer? If you are of the world, you are an ungodly sinner, "These are murmerers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admir- ation because of advantage". (Jude 16). If you are of God, you will practice godliness, "..Speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men". (Titus 3:2). This mess- age is so crucial for the Christian who desires to show forth his love for God, for by our love and compassion towards others, we are glorifying God, in a beautiful way! Let's live beautiful lives! Paul writes to Philemon the imperative duty of being a faithful wit- ness, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus", (v.6) When our communication shines our faith in the Lord Jesus, we bestow great comfort on others and witness of the wonder God has done in our lives. Put these following things into prac- tice in your lives and just observe how happy you will make others by your gentle ways: Don't look for someone to make a joke about. Don't talk about people behind their backs. Don't laugh at people when they make mere mistakes. When someone falls, lift them up. When someone hurts, comfort them. When someone is weak, encourage them in the strength of the Lord. Whatever you speak, be sure that Jesus, would have spoken the same words in your situation, if you put these integral attributes into action, God will be very pleased with you, and be sure of this He will bless you abundantly, not just with worldly' things, but with the priceless riches of love, joy, peace, contentment, and personal satisfaction.

Let us close with a wonderful passage from Ephesians 4:17-32 & 5:1-10, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through ignorance that is in them, because oŁ the blind- ness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus; That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which is after God creat- ed righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good; that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are seal- ed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself foe us an offer- ing and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be named once among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater; hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience, Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes dark- ness, but now are ye light In the Lord; walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord". Let us be a pec- uliar people, full of integrity and compassion, ever sensitive to the feelings of others, and knowing that there is not one word spoken that won't have an influence on our lives and others. Glory to God!

Jeffrey B. Quante IV

"The Substance of the Spoken Word"

(Part II)

In part I of this dissertation we studied the severity of the words we speak, whether unto good or unto evil. Let us take a deeper look into the power of our tongues. As an ever growing Christian I feel an imperative duty to relay the instruction I receive from God.

Therefore I continue with this message concerning the proper speech and actions of those who follow Christ. First and foremost we must persevere in the transformation of our minds, do not be fooled by the devil, it is our responsibility to change our old ways. In Romans 12, we will find sound instruction concerning this duty. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good/ and acceptable, and perfect, will of God". Notice the words, "ye may prove", you see we must prove, ourselves, we must strive to change from our old sinful habits, we must seek the will of God, and live according to His will.

Likewise, Ephesians 4:23 reads, "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind". These life changing passages of God's word, are crucial commandments from our God, commandments that will reconstruct our way of life, but we are the ones responsible for carrying them out! Be sure of this, God will give you the strength to live up to His will, but you first must be willing and determined to do so. Back to the power of the tongue, we must learn to bridle our tongues, if not we are not doing the will of God, we are living after our own life- less will. Let us read James 3:1-10 as I intercede verse for verse with commentary. "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation". In simpler words, Don't be teachers of many things, for you must walk the talk! "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body". Don't offend others by being judgmental our quick to condemn. If we can learn to place our words, speech, or tongue, under subjection, we will find it easy to put our actions and thoughts under subjection. "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth". Great vessels are controlled by a very small member, for the smallest things in life are often used for great purposes. "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!". Our tongues may be small, but they can be a great influence, either for building or destroying. It only takes a spark to start a forest fire! "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiled the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell". Do we use our words to burn down the self-esteem of others, or do we place others into the fire of inferiority? Let us all be very, very cautious how we speak to others, for our words can either make or break someone. "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind; But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison". Yes, words can be poisonous to the stab- ility of others, we can kill with our words, but God teaches us to encourage , uplift, and love one another, even as He loves us! Do we speak words of life to others or words of poison, contaminated with disease, leading to the death of their self worth? "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God". Just think, when any of us, tears down a person, or curse someone for their deficiencies, we might as well be doing the same unto God, for He is the awesome Creator of the per- son your mocking. When we look upon others we should perceive them as they are, beautiful beings created by a perfect God who loves His craftsmanship dearly and unconditionally! Let's begin to re-format our actions, thoughts and words unto the loving example of our Lord Jesus. "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My Brethren, these things ought not so to be". Don't fool yourself into thinking we can live a double life and still be a child of God. It's either the high road to heaven or the low road to hell? It's our choice. Along with Salvation, there must be change, if their is no change, then more than likely there is no Salvation! Let us learn to honor and glorify God with all we think, all we say, and all we do, for by doing so, we will be well pleasing in His sight, and I don't know about you, but I would much rather God smile upon me in love, than frown upon me in wrath. Now that we have learned these truths concerning God's will for our lives' we must do them or else we will be living in filthy sin. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin". (James 4:17). I must stress this vital point, We must do all things as if we were doing them unto our Lord Jesus, that way we will find it simpler to do what is right.

Remember, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:7-10).

In conclusion to this message, Let us be doers of the word and not hearers only, let us be people who love others so much that it shines like a beacon, let us be confidence constructors, let us be life renovators, let us be excellent encouragers, and most of all, let us do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus and glorify our Father in heaven!! "...the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle; and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace".

Unto the glory of God,

Jeffrey B. Quante IV

June 12, 2000