Acting Like We're Christians

Friends of mine went to a tent revival. It turned out to be our brothers, the Pentecostals. At the end of the sermon they had an altar call, and when my friends never responded, the preacher asked "Are you Christians?" When my friends responded in the affirmative, the preacher said "Then why don't you act like it!"

On another occasion I had lunch with a preacher friend of mine. After about an hour he remarked "We've been here about thirty minutes and you haven't said anything holy!" I was astounded! I don't speak "holy speak" to impress anyone, but if I have something righteous to say, I have no qualms about testifying about my Savior!

Last night the preacher said in his sermon that we should "act like we're Christians". I agree with him!  Why do I agree with some who say "act" and others I don't? It's like Bill Clinton said "It's what the definition of 'is' , 'is'!" For me it's what the definition of "act" is. My preacher was using the noun "act" meaning that we are to "do something"! In "Biblespeak" those acts are "works". The preacher is right in saying that:

James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

Works are a demonstration of our faith! We are to do "acts" which are a fruit of the Holy Spirit which resides within us. Those acts are fruits of the Spirit and are:

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance:" Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)" (There are twelve, but a few are in contention).

How are we to "act"? With one or more of these fruits!  If we don't demonstrate these fruits we probably don't love God. "Acting" by demonstrating these fruits correlates to how we relate to God:

John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

What are God's commandments? Love him as yourself and love others!  How does a person demonstrate love? They "act" (do something) which demonstrate love. It's an act not of yourself, but Christ reflected in you. Those "acts" are those enumerated fruits. Is it okay to "act"? Luke wrote a book about "acting". It's called The Acts of the Apostles. It's a journal of the apostles of Jesus "acting" like they're Christians. It is to be noted, though, that they were not "acting"; they were sincerely inspired by the Holy Ghost!

The other definition of "act" is "to perform" or "to put on a play posing as a character". It's what we see in entertainment. It's an art for those who do it well are artists!

In the Bible the best "actors" were the Pharisees!  However, they had "works", but they were for show only! They had works without faith for they generally rejected Jesus as Savior.

There is another kind of person in the Bible. Those people are ones who have faith, but it's not "active":

James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

Many claim Jesus in their heart as their Savior, but there are no fruits of the  Spirit.  They live a dead kind of Christianity and they rarely "act" in any context! Neither do they do good works or even play the part. Their existence as a Christian is dull! They claim it, but don't "act" it. They have a "dead faith". It's not clear whether they even have "fire insurance" (saved from hell) or not! It would appear that faith and works are partners. One without the other is "acting". Faith without works is desiring to go to heaven, but on the person's own terms! They want the grace offered by Jesus' death, but want to pleasure with Satan's workers.

How then do we now that we're truly saved? We quit "acting", but "act" as if we love God and others:

Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

Those who are "true", but not "acting" are demonstrating their own faith!

Having a "true heart" means to quit the "acting". We're not to perform for those watching, but have a sincere desire to serve God. We're to exemplify Jesus Christ in our "acts". We're not even to deceive ourselves with our own "goodness", but seek forgiveness for our bad "acts".  These are "acts" of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and are how to know that one is truly saved! Christians are assured that they're real Christians, not posers; not performers in the sense of play acting.

Sometimes Christians "act" righteously and sometimes they "act" rashly. Acting for "show" is being hypocritical. I'll give an example. I most often don't pray aloud. I focus and pray with my mind. However, when I'm with a group who all pray aloud, I do so too, although it's not how I pray. When I do that I am "acting"; putting on a performance for those around me!  Sometimes, when I'm having trouble focusing on prayer when by myself, I do pray out loud. It's between God and me only and it's sincere audible prayer. That's praying with a "true heart". For me my prayers will be silent when in a group unless I am having trouble focusing on the Lord.

Christians have a Christian vocabulary. They say things aloud so that others can hear. That vocabulary must be in harmony with the heart or it too is performing. Actions always speak louder than words! Don't tell the world how holy you are, but let the world see how holy you live!

As for me, I wish I was as holy in my life as was Paul! I'm not. I fall far short, but am not going to play-act that I am "holier than thou". I have a simple faith with many weaknesses. I always seek prayer from others for spiritual strength. I am attacked often by the forces of darkness who try to make me marginalize or even abandon Jesus. Sometimes, just as Peter did, I fail Jesus. In short sometimes I fail Jesus and sometimes I please him, but I try to be genuine with him. When I "act" like a Christian, I don't want it to be a good performance, but a real relationship!

Quit acting, but act. Seek the fruits of the Spirit and do it with a true heart. A good performance is not a ticket to Paradise, but loving acts please God.

 

Justification is not Innocence but Redemption

"Justification" is often defined as "just as if you've never sinned." Is that true?

My contention is that it does not fit the definition, but is an easy slogan. "Justification" is much more than that and it's not even that!

It is an act, process or state of being justified by God and justification means "vindication". This is from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Therefore, what is "vindication"?  It's when a person is not blamed for the offense(s) and is found not-guilty. (ibid), not because the person is innocent, but because of a "technicality". The judge has seen remorse, sorrow and repentance and another became security for you.

According to Strong's concordance "justify" in the context of righteousness means "to regard as innocent" and "free". It's being "right".  (text: justified from Romans 3:28 "a man is justified by faith"). "Regard" is the keyword. It doesn't mean that there was no offense, but that the offense is somehow covered. How so?

A born-again person is redeemed.

Galatians 3:13a "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:"

Let's take a look at "redemption". The sinner is guilty as charged. Here's the charge:

 Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Since we all have sinned, either we have to pay the price or someone does. That's just like civil law. If there is a crime someone pays. God's justice is no different. "Paying that price" is redemption. Jesus bought our freedom by paying with his own blood. His blood was the ransom price. It was the currency of our salvation which the bondsman used to pay security to the Court.

 By Jesus paying the price we are "justified". We are no longer blamed for our past sins. They are forgiven!  Since the sinner is vindicated we're no longer blamed, but because we're no longer blamed does not mean that "it's as if we never sinned". Justification is as if we have indeed sinned, but we're redeemed by Jesus.

We're told that God blots out our sins and forgets them:

Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

God chooses to put our past behind him. He has the power to remember and to forget! He chooses to blot our sins (covered by his blood) from his memory. He will never hold forgiven sins against us, but we're never to forget what the blood of Jesus did for us:

1 Corinthians 11:25 "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."

When we sup with the Lord, we are to remember what he did for us and what! He took our own guilt upon himself and redeemed us with the blood, symbolized in remembrance by the "cup". God is able to forget our sins, but we're not! "It is as if we sinned, but were forgiven and redeemed!".  "Justification" is forgetting on God's part, but not ours! We are to remember why we are forgiven! It is as if it happened and we're never to forget it!

Everyone will be judged at the "Great White Throne Judgment":

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Since God "forgets" forgiven sin, then those "justified" are judged "righteous" although they are sinners. They still did the sin, but it's not brought up in God's court. The evidence which will damn the accused is suppressed and any witnesses who saw the past sins are recused.  However, at the judgment when the judge says "well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 35:21), he has obviously "forgotten" the life of a sinner, but you have not and should not. When those words are spoken it's a time for rejoicing for your salvation because you remember what you deserve! In your sin, God made you righteous. You are then justified by grace.

Never, ever forget! It's not "just as if you've never sinned". It's "as if you have been made righteous"!

Politics: Dr. Tim Hulsey on Not Wasting a Crisis

Antoine Smith was a handsome, brown-eyed nine-year-old ready to start the third
grade. A picture shows him in a striped polo shirt with a wry smile on his face.
In that face, we might have seen an aspiring doctor, a financial expert, a great
singer, a decorated soldier, or a future President.

Antoine was an African-American child who tragically found himself between two
street gangs. Allegedly, one of four African-American gang members fired a .380
cal pistol at him, striking his chest four times. He was pronounced dead at
Comer Children's Hospital.

His funeral at the Evening Star Baptist Church "was filled to capacity with
mourners remembering the short life of the boy who sang here with the church
choir."

The vibrant young man, Antoine Smith, third-grader-to-be, in that picture was
replaced by an inanimate "little boy in that casket dressed in white." I cannot
begin to imagine the pain and emptiness in the family and friends.

"The family and community want peace and justice," said a news report, as
certainly as Michael Brown's family (Ferguson, MO).

The Smith family had strong local support in their grief. The Brown family had
that plus the oration of Obama, a personal visit from Eric Holder, and three
White House officials at Michael's funeral.

Obama doesn't opine on the child, Antoine Smith. No administration officials
were seen at visitation; no private visits occurred with the family.

Why ignore Antoine or the other hundreds of violent deaths in Chicago this year
and not Michael Brown's. Do those lives have less value and potential than
Brown's.

Obama saw no political potential in the death of Antoine Smith, whereas Brown's
death had the potential to be a political crisis, not to be wasted by Obama.
This is racism.

The State of the Nation: Truthful

The president has a "State of the Union" speech, nearly every year. When the "state" is in turmoil that particular ritual is often overlooked. Presidents seem to only have a desire to report on good things! When Jimmy Carter had his fireside chats, rather than spirits uplifted and confidence restored, malaise followed. It's not good to report truth unless a solution is offered; one that offers hope!

I'm not famous and few know of me, but in the absence of a religious leader who will do it, let me do a "State of the Nation" speech.

Psalm 102:8 "All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse."

I believe that's now the "State of the Nation"! Let's look at the depth of these few words.

"Taunting" is when one party says insulting things to another to excite anger. Here's a recent strong example of taunting:

“I say to America that the Islamic Caliphate has been established,” Abu Mosa, a spokesman for the terror group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), told VICE Media in a video interview posted online Thursday. “Don’t be cowards and attack us with drones. Instead send your soldiers, the ones we humiliated in Iraq.” “We will humiliate them everywhere, God willing, and we will raise the flag of Allah in the White House,” he added. (The Daily Caller, Jamie Weinstein 1:43 AM 08/08/2014)

Just look at the number of taunts in this one statement!

• The caliphate has been established!
• Don't be cowards and use drones.
• Send your soldiers (the ones we humiliated in Iraq)
• We will humiliate them everywhere.
• We will raise the flag of Allah over the White House. 

The taunt "the caliphate has been established" refers to an Islamic empire which the world ridiculed Glen Beck for predicting. What politicians and the media laughed at now exists! Abu Mosa is taunting America with their new found existence and power! Just as bullies intimidate even the stronger, ISIS is bullying America. It's the "Little Guy Syndrome"! Small people put fear into the hearts of the stronger by intimidation. ISIS is striking fear into the hearts of the world by being bullies.They decapitate people and the world hides in fear! Instead of calling them who they are: Muslims, we refer to them as "a peaceful religion" so they won't bully us further.

The first "State of the Nation" is: America lives in fear!

Abu Mosa calls us cowards! How can a nation be a coward? We do not do what's right because we fear the repercussion of our actions. There's "fear" again. It reigns supreme right now. The nation fears to the extreme that we don't put "boots on the ground" because politicians want to get elected. Left wing extremists believe that if we don't fight the bad guys, the bad guys will leave us alone!

The second "State of the Nation" is that those who rule us are cowards. Although they aren't the one's bearing arms, they don't want to upset the enemy! They have more empathy for those beheading than they do for those beheaded.

The fear of fighting for what's right is what makes the nation a "coward". Many in our country have the "bullied syndrome". Our nation fears protecting itself because it believes the fear factor will increase. Nations calling this "paying tribute" to a master nation, but it's a policy of appeasement.

The third "State of the Nations" is appeasement. That's a bad foreign policy, but that's ours!

America is humiliated. Each time a captive American (or Brit) is beheaded, that humiliates. They did it and laughed. We sheepishly accept it and hope it doesn't happen again. Our defense policy is a side-bar of Obama's campaign slogan of "Hope and Change". We "hope" things will "change" without making it happen.

The fourth "State of the Nation" is that we're living with humiliation.

As a correlation of the fourth, the fifth "Sate of the Nation" is a spineless defense policy. It's merely a "hope" that other nations will leave us along!

Abu Mosa said that their flag will fly over the White House. I'm not so sure that it doesn't already. It appears that the president raised an invisible flag of Islam when he took office. He may not be Islamic, but his allegiance seems to be with that "peaceful religion" (sic). 

"Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as'one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.' " (New York Times article from March 6, 2007, by columnist Nicholas Kristof).

"We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world. " (April 6 address to the Turkish Parliament).

I could quote many more, but the picture being painted is that the Islam which Obama sees is a fiction. He doesn't see Islam as the threat to the world which it has always been! Maybe that invisible flag isn't one of allegiance, but one of pacification. It's a flag of false perceptions, allowing the stench of Islam to stain the very fabric of our nation. That flag may already fly!

The sixth "State of the Nation" is that our leaders have portrayed Islam for what it's not. The nation has been told lies and  our leader's hearts lie more with Islam than with Christianity.

"Rail against me". That's verbal abuse! People verbally abuse, or curse God! Today Christianity is the object of scorn and persecution. It stands in the way of pleasure, power and even wealth. Christianity is seen as "interference" against liberty; not in the sense of freedom, but chaos!

Judges 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

There are two sets of laws: civil and God's. Without a king and without a King, people can do as they please; whatever is right in their own eyes. Hence, the next "States of the Nation" are complementary:

The seventh "State of the Nation" is that the nation has abandoned God. That it has already done, but those of us who "cling to religion" for our inner peace keep it alive in many. Along, with that is:

The eighth "State of the Nation" is that all things righteous are ridiculed.  The flip-side of that statement is that truth has been made relative. Truth interferes with pleasure, power and wealth; and hence, cannot be! Our nation even has who is called "a liar in chief"! His job is to twist truth for those in power so that the gullible believe a lie!

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (ESV) "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

The New World Leader, the anti-christ will not just suddenly come onto the scene. His way will be prepared for him by many antichrists. Those false Christs exist in entertainment, government, and religion. Their purpose is to gently slide the populace into accepting the lie! For instance almost no one from the 1950s believed that marriage between same-sex partners would ever come to fruition. With acclimation, although it's not fact, people have accepted "they're born that way" without any truth to it and without blinking an eye! Repeat a lie long enough and it becomes truth!

This is a nation, nay world, of people who refuse to love the truth! Why? It gets in the way of personal freedom; people doing what's right in their own eyes. It's rebellion and the ultimate libertarianism! A nation without laws is chaos. A nation without God worships Chaos (In mythology Chaos ruled the air, or inner atmosphere.She was the goddess of fate). Hence, this nation will not have God to lean on, but fate only. Whatever happens, happens!

The ninth "State of the Nation" is the God of America is fate. Our founders said that this nation was created by divine inspiration. We have now evolved to the belief that everything is merely a chance happening and that God, who was once believed to be omnipotent, is helpless indeed and that "chance "created the universe and "chance" keeps it going!

Since the new God is "Fate" then all aspects of JHWH needs to be removed, especially his existence as Jesus Christ. People say that God doesn't exist,  but hate him for who he is! (The premise of the movie, God is Not Dead). Since prayer was removed from public life in 1964 all aspects of sin has risen sharply upward: murder, theft, rape, divorce, abortion, unwed sex, broken homes and many more.

The tenth "State of the Nation" is that a once proud America is on the wane and those who lead are the authors of destruction!

This should be sub-titled "Those in Power Want to Remain in Power". There are few statesmen running our government. But there are a few! If one desires to know who those statesmen are it's only necessary to look at who the most politicians hate and who the media ostracizes! The followers of "The Prince of the Air" (the devil) will never follow a righteous one, but one prone to evil. Yes, those elected by the powers of darkness will speak good things, even throw God's name around, but in the end, they have little use for righteousness!

America will join the other nations of the world in succumbing to the Anti-christ! We are not exempt. In fact, because of our position as a "world power" (sic), we may actually lead the rest of the nations to destruction. Our own leader has an ideology much as described in apocalyptic scripture which describes antichrists; not that the President is the Antichrist, for he's not, but is one of the many antichrists paving the way. Anyone who is not for Christ is an antichrist!

Polycarp wrote in the Letter to the Philippians, "Everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an antichrist."

I will add to that! Anyone who doesn't worship and obey Jesus Christ who came in the flesh is an antichrist because that person is not "loving God"!

This, my friends, is the "State of the Nation". It's as dour as was Jimmy Carter was in his sweater and rocking chair, but truth is truth. Joel Osteen would focus on the positive and God's promises. However, for a time there will be little positive to behold and "promises" include punishments. What is the positive promise?

2 Thessalonians 2:1 (ESV) (The Man of Lawlessness) "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Revelation 19:20 (ESV) "And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur."

Stand fast! Be on the winning side.  But in the mean time don't go down with the "State of the Nation"!

Building Up

When my family was active in group counseling because of my son's drug use, there was a great rule: "Never speak about another unless they are in your presence." There were no stipulations. We were encouraged to not even compliment another person unless that person was present to hear it.

Stupid rule? No! The reasoning behind it is as follows: Love is not shown by denigrating others. "Well!", you say "I was going to brag on that person!" If we compliment another they should hear it! Furthermore, for those of you who know the "telephone demonstration" and oft repeated statement is slightly distorted until the original statement is unrecognizable. As an example, if we tell one person that "Suzanne" is beautiful especially her profile, it may end up that Linda is unattractive in the front view. A compliment can easily become an insult with repetition! Regardless, we are to encourage one another:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Those who "build-up" are more well-liked than those who "tear down". Think about yourself. Do you like the person better who is positive or another who is a negative talker? The answer should be obvious. Few people think highly of the gossiper and/ or back-biter:

 Proverbs 20:19 (ESV) "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler."

A word from wisdom: If you talk bad about another person you yourself are a babbler! Don't be a babbler! Don't carry gossip! It may be slanderous. A righteous person works hard to build up a good reputation. One unfair or malicious word can destroy what has taken years to build. Speaking ill of others is wrong because what is said about another may be entirely false; and even if it's true, what is there to gain by destroying another person when they're down?

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

The rule is no "corrupt talk". Never change what's true to something unflattering or untruthful. At my age people are always reminding me how old I am. For those people: I have a birth certificate and a mirror. Pointing out my age is non-value added information and reminding me of that is not meant to build me up! Along with age foes teasing about senility. When an older person makes a mistake, it's contributed to age. When a young person makes a mistake, it's merely a learning experience! For all those who believe mistakes are because of age, guess what? We all have always made mistakes and with taunting from others, even more will be made! Why? Rather than be conscious of what we're doing we become conscious of ridicule and take our mind off "doing".

Moving on, our talk is to be good for "building up". We are to encourage others with our remarks. Hidden insults must never be included within encouragement. No one builds up by saying that "You look good for your age!" as an example. If we are truly encouraging it should be "You look good!" However, encouragement is not to give a person a false perception of themselves. Over-bragging leads to pride. That's why "building up" is tempered by the phrase "as fits the occasion". Paul bragged on his fellow workers for all they had done for the Lord. That's encouragement and fits the occasion. Esteem building compliments are dishonest. We are not all at the same level of performance and it's silly to play games that we are. However, we all have different skills and interests which are valuable!

For instance, I've always found mathematics and writing to be easy. Those are my forte. My former brother-in-law could barely read and wrote very poorly. However, John was a superb cabinet maker, craftsman and folk artist; all of which I'm poor! Rather than tearing him down by speaking of his ignorance where I'm good, I speak of him highly for being good at other things! That speech "fits the occasion" and is truthful.

Another person I know can read at a elementary level, but has made a fortune with his work ethic and investments! I point that out to "fit the occasion". I am speaking truth and he deserves recognition for his effort!

Of course our "building up" is not to build-up pride because we're all to be meek. We're to have an honest perception of "self". Building up others in their quest for the wisdom of God and spreading the "Good News" is always appropriate! My preacher does a great job at that; much better than what I do. He deserves to be encouraged. However, he's imperfect, but what good would come of me pointing out his imperfections. It would tear him down and demoralize his ministry. We're to encourage our preacher.

Because I was "down" the other day I considered a cessation in writing  My Daily Thought. About the time I was most demoralized I received a message from a stranger who encouraged me to keep writing. He must have sensed my dilemma! God does that you know. With his encouragement, I continue to write. Rather than look at I only reach about 50-150 people each day, I can look at it realistically. On a weekly basis I estimate my "internet congregation" to be in excess of 200. That's better than most "real preachers"! That's encouraging and this stranger encouraged me! What if he'd said Why waste your time with about 100 readers a day?" That would have discouraged me and led me to quit.  He "built me up", not "tore me down".

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV) "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Words mean things:Tongues are the Messenger

There is much said in the Bible about the tongue! It gets the blame for much evil and the credit for speaking good. The tongue is little more than soft tissue in the mouth which animals use for various things, including speaking. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body and is classified as a "voluntary muscle". Those which are voluntary work without thought. Whether your think it or not, the heart beats and the liver processes. They do their job without you telling them to do so!

On the other hand the tongue takes instructions from a person's cognition. It seems that it is involuntary because it does things automatically, but unlike the heart which you cannot "will" to stop its movement, everyone can stop the tongue whether eating, drinking or speaking. People say "I spoke without thinking!" That implies that their tongue had the cognition and the ability to move on its own! That's not the case. We are taught to control the tongue:

Psalm 34:13 (ESV) Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

At times the Bible speaks metaphorically:

Psalm 52:2 (ESV) Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

This metaphor seems to say that the tongue has the cognition. It does not! It's an instrument of the mind: "like a sharp razor". When we speak evil, the tongue isn't to blame. However, the tongue can make sounds which destroy and are hurtful.  "Words" are the product of the tongue (with help from the mind, diaphragm, trachea, epiglottis, lips and even the teeth). None of those muscles are moved without direction from the mind!

Rather than blaming the tongue for speaking evil or crediting it for good, just substitute "speech" wherever "tongue" is written. Speech is an audible expression of opinions, ideas, etc. when it's expressed using language. What we have is that the mind forms opinions and ideas, it's made audible by speech and the tongue is the largest contributor to the audible sounds heard. Actually, a person without a tongue can still speak, but it's muffled and distorted. Therefore, using "speak" and "speech" for tongue includes the tongue, emotion and the mind!

James 3:6 (ESV) And the tongue (speech) is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue(speech)  is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

In the previous passage the tongue "or member" is blamed for stained speech. This is just common vernacular. Even those in times of old knew that the tongue was only the messenger of the mind!

James 3:8 (ESV) "...but no human being can tame the tongue (speech). It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Taming the tongue is done through thought. "Thought" includes the cognition it takes to feed ideas and opinions to the tongue. It really takes all the members of the body (muscles) working in unison to produce speech. The mind does a good job of having them operate in unison and harmony, but a poor job in what comes out!

Romans 7:23 (ESV) "But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members."

It's obvious here that "members" are the controllable parts of the body. Our physical heart and lungs don't wage war, but those which pleasure. The sexual organs provide pleasure as do hands, feet, eyes, the nose and many others. We enjoy our senses of touch, sight, taste, smell and sound. They send back signals to the mind. Oftentimes those signals are out of the will of God; even evil signals. That's what Paul's talking about. Our minds respond to the members which he often calls "the flesh":

Galatians 5:19-(ESV) "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

It appears that most of the "works of the flesh" are sensual and of the members, but also there are fleshly desires. Those are of the mind which result in pleasing the members through the senses. However, all go back to the master controller. The members' roles are to please the mind!

People use their speech to intimidate. Speech is a weapon:

Psalm 64:2 (ESV) Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
    from the throng of evildoers,
3 who whet their tongues (speech) like swords,
    who aim bitter words (speech) like arrows,
4 shooting from ambush at the blameless,
    shooting at him suddenly and without fear.

People basically take aim when the mind and the tongue delivers the damage. It's not the tongue which truly destroys, but wicked thinking!

We're called on to control that voluntary muscle since our mind can turn it on and off. Speech is controlled by closing the mouth and holding the tongue. Quit blaming innocent members! The fault lies within the "heart". From a biblical standpoint the "heart" is a relationship between emotions (and spirit) and thinking. Our mind and our spirit communicate and that communication is "the heart". In order to control speech, our hearts must be in accord with God's will. Satan gives the heart incentive to do evil, but God being "good" is stronger than Satan, but we must desire to do his will. How do we control our speech?

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.

Implied here is that the tongue is the messenger of "the heart". By "deceived" it implies that the heart is of the mind. It's in the mind that we're deceived, but the soul works in conjunction with the mind. An empty soul has no part in controlling the heart. Satan fills that emptiness with evil! However, a soul filled with God's Spirit has power over the mind and the heart does right. Our emotions are Godly. If our emotions are Godly, the tongue is tamed! A bridle is girded about it and that bridle is "the heart".

Wisdom is a gift of God which helps to control the heart. If one is grounded in the Word and is responsive to the Holy Spirit, the heart is healed and speech is temperate! Speech doesn't have to corrupt. It can heal:

Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

The "tree of life" is holy living; living Christlike as can be seen in the previous passage. If the tongue (speech) is wicked, it "breaks the spirit". Actually, it doesn't say whose spirit is broken, but it can both the speaker and the hearer. Those sensitive to the Holy Spirit cannot be pleased with perverse speech. Guilt is the result of using the tongue as a sword! However, hurt even more is the hearer for they are the target at which the speaker takes aim.

People say things to hurt others. If the Holy Spirit is not heeded, Satan implants the idea in the heart and the tongue follows orders! Perverse things are spoken. Some things are with malice aforethought. People intend to hurt with "words". "Words" are the sounds which transmit the ideas in speaking. Words mean things and perverse meanings "breaks the spirit" of others; the ones we're told to love!

At other times it's our sub-conscious in action. Satan uses that faculty without the person being aware. It's because all men have a perverse nature and the heart can only be tempered by God's Spirit. People use "jokes" to hurt. Those jokes are a reflection of the condition of the heart which psychology calls "Freudian Slips". The mind works with such speed to protect the ego (protection and esteem of the self) that it conceals emotions and thoughts with disguises. Jokes can be, but aren't necessarily, a mechanism to belittle others in an attempt to elevate ourselves!

Words mean things! Some things build up; other things can cut deep into another's soul! Harmful words can break the spirit of another. What words are those?: denigrating physical attributes, belittling others thinking or mental capacity, ridiculing age or health, manipulating their emotions and withholding friendship and love. Cutting words transmit antipathy; and expresses that the hearer is unloved or marginalized!

How do we bridle the tongue? It's by empathy which is given to us by God. "Empathy" allows us to replace our own feelings with the feelings of others. If what you're going to say would hurt you, don't say it because it will hurt the other!  Here's biblical empathy:

Luke 6:31(ESV) "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."

Few of us like for others to hurt us. Then don't hurt others! That's how we're to show our love for them!

America Dancing Naked in the Face of God's Law

Our nation was founded on God's Law. Although some of our founders were much like Aaron and had a blundering type of devotion to God, nevertheless, God used those imperfect people to establish the second-best government man ever had! "Second best?" "Yes". The best was the government of Hebrew judges with Levitical priests under the divine inspiration of God. Their laws were God's Laws and their judgments were the equal scales of justice. God provided grace to the Hebrew people if only they obeyed his commands!

We're the seed of Abraham and the Abrahamic Covenant was one of grace. Just as the Hebrews, all we have to do to prosper is to follow the One True God. Nothing has changed and the covenant was never canceled. True, it has been supplemented with the grace of Jesus, but it all goes back to:

John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

That's the Abrahamic Covenant all over again. Let's take a look at that deal God made with his people:

Genesis 15:18 "In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land..." (then he described the bounds of Canaanland which he gave to the Hebrews).

Then later God expounded upon the covenant:

Genesis 17:1b “I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless.
2 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you,
And I will multiply you exceedingly.”

Here's the deal: "Love me and obey me and your nation will prosper!" John 14:15 says much the same. Love me and it's implied that the individual will be blessed by eternal life. That's the ultimate in prosperity! A community of people who love God is a righteous nation. If "we the people" love and honor God, not only will our nation prosper, but the individuals making up the nation will have eternal prosperity!

How do we love God? How do we uphold our end of the covenant? We "love God and keep his commandments", or as he told Abraham "Walk before me, and be blameless". Is that saying the same thing?

Philippians 2:15 (ESV) "...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..."

 We are to be sanctified or set apart from the world by being righteous, blameless and innocent! And if we do that, we shine! Not only will we shine as individuals, but our nation will shine! America at one time shined before the nations of the world. Our glimmer has dimmed!

Ronald Reagan knew that America shined:

June 1952 -- From a commencement address at Williams Woods College, one of the oldest surviving speeches of Reagan's

"I, in my own mind, have always thought of America as a place in the divine scheme of things that was set aside as a promised land. It was set here and the price of admission was very simple: the means of selection was very simple as to how this land should be populated. Any place in the world and any person from those places; any person with the courage, with the desire to tear up their roots, to strive for freedom, to attempt and dare to live in a strange and foreign place, to travel halfway across the world was welcome here."

July 17, 1980 -- from his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention

"[The Democrats] say that the United States has had its days in the sun, that our nation has passed its zenith.… My fellow citizens, I utterly reject that view."

But we now have the Democrats in charge. That "shine" has passed it's zenith. We no longer honor God, nor does our nation revere him and worse yet, the entire nation is disobedient! Even Christians have put on the cape of darkness, accepting the tenets of the world. What are some of these? Look at the Hebrew people when Moses came down from the mountain with the standards God written on stone for all to see; the same law on which our own nations was founded: God's Law or as it's called "Natural Law".

The Hebrew people had an idol, they were dancing naked, they were lascivious and God's laws were all broken as symbolized by Moses throwing down the Ten Commandments and breaking the tablets! Every law was worthless to those who do not obey!  As a result of their disobedience, they were plagued:

Exodus 32:35 "And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."

Two things are of note in this one passage: Because of their idolatry God plagued the people and secondly, the revolt against God was made by Aaron, a priest and mouthpiece of God!

That's the same way it is today. People have idols and some have many. Most of America's idols are those of pleasure: pills, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack, and meth; all for relieving the mind from God, while they do things that the Hebrews did: nakedness, lasciviousness, wicked entertainment, fornication, homosexuality and although it wasn't mentioned, a by-product of a wickedness: abortion. As long as people do the things politicians call "social issues" we as a nation will never prosper. That's God's deal with us!

And what the world does today, the church is right behind! In many cases the decay of American society is a direct response to the church! In my early years most churches were the epitome of godliness. Now they have become dens of iniquity and oftentimes disobedience is taught right from the pulpit. Just yesterday a letter-to-the editor in the Bowling Green Daily News was from a United Church of Christ woman preacher defending homosexuality and transgenderism.

What's wrong with that picture? By "uniting" Christians compromise core beliefs. When some unite with a more liberal sect, the entire batch is spoiled. Secondly, women are not to be preachers. Man's job is to have dominion in God's affairs. By women assuming the role of men, that's sin! When one sin is winked at, then others come easy! Homosexuality is against the design of God and is disgusting to him, yet this church and this woman welcome it into the church.

The church is ruining the nation. Why would a Christian condemn our nations laws when their preacher is leading the rebellion? Christian, is your notion of what's right influenced by science, philosophy, psychology , society or liberal churches? I bet if you look closely enough that you are following the deception of Satan while ignoring the will of God!  If so, you're dancing naked (as did the Hebrews) in the presence of God's Laws! They were dancing naked with Aaron directing; as the man of God, Moses, returned from the mountain where he's been standing on holy ground!

America is part of the Abrahamic Covenant:

Genesis 17:4 "“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations."

America is part of the covenant! We are children of Abraham and this nation is part of the promise that God made to Abraham thousands of years ago just as Reagan said! What was righteous all those millenniums ago is in danger of being damned now. God gave a plague to the Hebrews who danced naked in the face of God's Laws; now Americans are dancing naked for all the world to see! Nakedness represents a loss of innocence and we're no longer an innocent nation. We have gone the way of the world; Rome first then all of Europe! Asia was lost long ago.

America was the beacon of right standing in a world of countries dancing naked. Now our clothes are removed just as the others, and we too are dancing naked in front of God, and we no longer even care! Unlike Adam and Eve who were embarrassed of their nakedness, America takes pride in being naked in the world.

Along with disobedience comes a plague. Just as the Hebrews were plagued, so are we. What plagues have we? AIDS, war, drug abuse, abortion, prostitution, child slavery, pornography, broken homes, divorce, fornication, theft, rioting, a destitute government; all of these are plagues. Most of these are minimized as "social issues" by the elite!

There is one cure for the plague. That's isolation! God isolated the Hebrews for 40 years to clear the system of the contaminated. Perhaps our plague is to be cured by forty years of depression? After all, those who come to God come to him when in need! Perhaps someday soon our needs will be obvious enough that we seek redemption.