3:264 – God On The Lips, Hate In The Heart

#faithbites #faithjourney lips

Setting

The word of God is powerful. It strengthens, empowers, and keeps us. His word promises salvation. There are those who use scripture to tear down rather than build up. False prophets who will pick and chose scripture to hurt rather than looking at the whole message of love, forgiveness, and salvation.

When you have God on your lips, what is in your heart? Are you picking and choosing scripture for your point of view or sharing the whole story of Christ.

Scripture

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
• 2 Peter 3:16 – As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
• 1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Reflection

All three scriptures speak of changing God’s word. This can be done by adding to it, twisting it, or making it apply toward their own desires.

We must be mindful of this. If God’s words are on our lips, he must be in our heart. The hardest part of this is asking ourselves “Are we one of them?”

Are we quoting scripture but showing hate? Most who are reading this don’t believe they are and if they are, aren’t doing it intentionally. We need to think about our thoughts, deed, and actions.

Are we showing God’s love and the forgiveness of Christ in all we do? Are we condemning behaviors or people? How often are we lumping people together and saying those people or that group is evil?

Remember, having God’s words one your lips isn’t enough. Even Satan was fluent in scripture and tried to tempt Jesus.

Make your heart as full of love as the words on your lips.

Challenge

Before you hit share, before you say something, think about God’s word. Is it on your lips AND in your heart? If the action you are about to take does reflect this, don’t do it.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for your word. It is perfect for teaching, loving, and sharing you and your Son. Too often our sin gets in the way and we put our own sin on it. We use your word to influence in ways that aren’t necessarily according to your will. Help us be weary of false prophets and make sure what we are saying matches what’s in our heart. We love you, Lord. Amen.