Idle talk gets a lot of people in trouble

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Idle talk gets a lot of people in trouble—including me, at times; thankfully, however, those times have become few and far between the older I get. The wise man thinks twice before he speaks once. Anger has a way of dulling the senses, and unless one has control over that deadliest of all vices, one is apt to spout off and think later. The road of good intention is strewn with broken relationships, simply because someone could not keep their trap shut.

Standing behind the pulpit with or without clerical garb offers no immunity either. Preaching the word, being instant in and out of season is always operative; however, preaching the word and giving the congregation or anyone else a piece of your mind is not what God has in mind. James tells us that:

[W]isdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

I couldn’t put it better than Romans 12:19 puts it:

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

So, unless you or I or anyone else is sure that God wants us to go for it and give someone or a congregation a piece of God’s mind, it is best left unsaid. So, if in doubt; then don’t.

A very wise man once said:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

And, experience has taught me the hard way that he was right. None of the advice that I have just given is necessary, if everything we do is done in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).

Along with this, I am sure you have heard that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What rubbish! The injuries caused by sticks and stones are mild compared to a vicious onslaught of vengeful spite. There are far worst ways for a husband to abuse his wife than to give her a black eye; a broken heart brings more pain. That’s for sure.

When we do everything in word and deed in the name of the Lord Jesus, we, first, must submit ourselves to His will. We are no longer in charge. And, believe me, that’s not easy. It’s not easy because we want some of the credit when things go right, and none of the blame when things go wrong.

Further, to do something in the name of someone, in Scriptural terms, means that we exercise power that is only that which the name gives us. Our feeble strength simply gets in the way otherwise. This is in line with the old proverb that says:

“If you don’t have an answer to the problem, don’t become part of the problem.”

And, it is at the point that you and I insert the power of our will into the mix that we only acerbate and become part of the problem. Paul must have had this in mind when he wrote:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13 KJV)

God in such circumstances fights for us, and even give us the armor to protect ourselves. This is not an aggressive stance against someone or anything, it is just God’s method for protecting us. Our stand may be passive—and therefore, hard to hold; but it is never defenseless or hopeless. We are to resist the Evil One, eschew that which is evil, and keep in focus that the battle is the Lord’s to fight not ours. The admonishment to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) is as operative today as it was the day our Master gave it. So, why try and change it by inserting our own solution or will? It just doesn’t make spiritual sense to do so.

It is to His name that all nations and people shall bow, not ours or some charismatic preacher speaking words of rubbish into our lives. In such cases, we must let God do the talking; and I am quite confident that He is capable informing me of His intention and doesn’t have to go through someone shouting a “word of prophecy” into my life. Again, what foolishness.

If you or I or anyone else think it is necessary to run here and there to find some powerful preacher, or self-appointed Apostle to do God’s work in our life for us; then we have not learned what it is to do everything in word and deed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is not to say that God does not speak through others to us, but in such cases, it is always done within the structure of a confirming body (1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 John 4:1; Et al.). For me, that is my denomination; for you yours—and in rather rare cases (it seems these days) an independent congregation which is solidly based on Scripture, and not the scatterbrain opinion of some elsewise religious hack stuffed with just a whole lot of pent-up anger with which he is willing to share with others. Tough words. But really, there is only one pope in Rome and with whom we all take issue; so why go about creating other ones in every little dinky upstart congregation with a new preacher with a new twist on Scripture? Whatever the case, our stance must always be anchored firmly in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and His authority, not ours or anyone else’s.

Now, may the anchor of His Name hold you firmly until His appearance,

JimR_/