Tag: hypocrisy

  • That’s Not Fair! Possessions and Community

    That’s Not Fair! Possessions and Community

    The Saga of Ananias and Saphira

    From a background of my own evangelical christian American thinking I had always squirmed with a certain sense of unfairness that Ananias and Saphira died instantly at Peter’s feet when the Apostle confronted them about a sale of THEIR OWN possessions.

    Wasn’t the profit from THEIR MONEY from a SALE of their land one of the most generous GIFTS of CHARITY anyone could have given to the Apostles? They gave most of it to the CHURCH. It was certainly more than a 10% tithe.

    So how much should Anaias and Saphira have given to the CHURCH?

    Our Offerings to ‘the church’

    Here’s MY gentile ALL-AMERICAN take on what Peter and the Apostles should have expected.

    • Wouldn’t giving EVERYTHING to the Apostles make the saints of the first century Church COMMUNISTS, or at the very least SOCIALISTS?

    The COMMUNITY of the Jerusalem Church seems unlike everything WE THE PEOPLE of the United States have come to expect as a 21st century christian ‘church.’ Yet most of our our preachers love to proclaim such generous gifts of substance from leading contributers like Ananias and Saphira to the church. (We know who they are.)

    • How many of US would sell our possessions just to give money to our local church?
    • WHY would GOD strike DEAD any believer in Jesus for holding back a few possessions for themselves?
      • It seems ‘un-American, doesn’t it?
      • OUR hearts recoil as our tongues to cry out, ‘THIS IS UNFAIR.’

    ACTS of the Church in context

    Most Christians know this story from ACTS 5:1-11 and the generosity of Joseph of Cypress from the preceeding two verses in Acts 4.
     
    I have not skipped this story until now to avoid controversial contempory issues, but rather to maintain a storyline of Peter as the first leader of the Church.

    A Chronological context of Acts from a first century perspective

    destruction temple ad70

    Luke published Acts of the Apostles in about

    the year of our Lord, 62,

    just prior to empire-wide persecution of the Jews (including the sect of Christ followers) and the Jerusalem War which led to its fall in A.D. 70.

    The Forgotten Saga of The Way

    Christians reading Luke’s historical account of events some thirty years earler (in ~A.D. 30’s) would already have suffered persecution, loss of their possessions and lands, and even deaths of family and other saints of their church as most fled with little left to places of reletive safety.

    This sect of The Way, along with Jerusalem’s former ruling classes, would no longer have enough possessions to sustain daily life in Jerusalem, some even without food to eat.

    We looked at a few of these AD 1st century events earlier
    Short list of a few more historical events impacting AD 1st century readers of ACTS;

    source

    • 28 AD John the Baptist is executed by Herod Antipas, son of King Herod in Judaea.
    • 32 – 36 AD Estimated date of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
    • 44 AD Judaea is annexed as a Roman province after the death of Herod Agrippa.
    • 49 AD Claudius passes an edict expelling all Jews from Rome.
    • 64 AD The Great Fire of Rome speculated to have been started by Nero to make room for his palace. Christians Persecuted as scapegoats. Nero begins construction of the domus aurea (the Golden House).
    • 67 AD The future Emperor Vespasian is sent to Judaea to put down a Jewish revolt.
      • Death of Paul the Apostle.

    Some believe Luke wrote Acts after the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70; his death was probably in the mid-eighties).

    It is more likely, however, that he wrote much earlier, before the end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 60–62).

    John MacArthur :: Bible Introductions – Acts

    Early examples of faith

    Who should these new disciples of the Apostles ACT like during these desparate times of yet another jewish diaspora due to persecution?

    Certainly the daily lives of every saint of the early church read like an unseen saga of suffering known to early readers of the GOSPELS, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, the EPISTLES and THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST to John.

    Roger@TalkofJESUS.com

    Possessions of the Church + Banking on the Risen Lord

    We return now to Luke's second account ACTS of the Apostles in about AD 32-36, as we have learned, and a fledgling gathering of saints in Jerusalem who increasingly must depend on the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the cohesion of love binding their community to each other.
    

    ACTS of the saints of the CHURCH 4:

    The Apostolic Community of 1st Century Jerusalem

    Luke reveals their agreement or community compact:

    For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

    ACTS of the Jerusalem church 4:34-35 NASBAD 30’s

    This NEW community in the Spirit of The Way in Jerusalem applied Christ’s love for each other AND IT WORKED.

    Luke tells later saints of the church how the Apostles gave us this example.

    Luke begins with a positive example.

    Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, (translated Son of Encouragement) sold a field he owned..

    Joseph, from the priestly Levitical line, is a faithful Jew who traveled to Jerusalem for its major festivals. Then after the Holy Spirit fills the community of faith on Pentecost, Barnabas (Joseph) fully commits to this new community of The Way led by the Apostles.

    Joseph of Cypress (Barnabas) sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

    ACTS 4:37 CSB

    Luke encourages the poor and needy commuinties of Christ who will read of their sacrificial generocity years later while many saints suffer severe persecution.

    32 Now the multitude of those who believe were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

    .. all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

    ACTS 4:33,35b-36 NKJV of the Jerusalem Chruch after Pentrecost

    Luke continues with a negative example

    Then Ananias, hearing these words, (C)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. Acts 5:5 painting of Ananias dead at the feet of Peter and John

    Are these really YOUR possessions?

    ACTS 5 of Ananias & Saphira

    Lying to the Holy Spirit

    But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

    Unlike Joseph of Cypress, Luke does not give us much detail about this couple, but his name, Ananias, would have been familiar in their community of fellow Jews.

    Ἁνανίας – Ananías, an-an-ee’-as; of Hebrew origin (H2608); Ananias, the name of three Israelites:—Ananias.

    1. a certain Christian [at Jerusalem], the husband of Sapphira: Acts 5:1-6.
    2. a Christian of Damascus: Acts 9:10-18; Acts 22:12
    3. a son of Nedebaeus, and high priest of the Jews circa A.D. 47-59.

    Ananias = “whom Jehovah has graciously given”

    (Luke the gentile Physician likely understands this irony as will the Apostles.)

    The Hebrew root of Ananias also points to a familiar Scriptural example from Daniel: חֲנַנְיָה

    Hananiah = "God has favoured"
    
    the godly friend of Daniel whom Nebuchadnezzar renamed Shadrach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord.
    
    source: BlueLetterBible.org Lexicon :: Strong's H2608 - ḥănanyâ

    Ananias is a leading man of means among these five hundred or so followers of the Apostles. And he has sold some of his possessions for the church to graciously give to others in need of his charity.

    (But is their generous gift to the church truly their own?)

    Psalm 104 excerpt
    מָֽה־רַבּוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ יְֽהוָה כֻּלָּם בְּחָכְמָה עָשִׂיתָ מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ קִנְיָנֶֽךָ׃
    
      יִתַּמּוּ חַטָּאִים מִן־הָאָרֶץ וּרְשָׁעִים עוֹד אֵינָם בָּרֲכִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָה הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃

    LORD, how many are Your works!
    In wisdom You have made them all;
    The earth is full of Your possessions…

    May sinners be removed from the earth
    And may the wicked be no more.
    Bless the LORD, my soul.
    Praise the LORD!

    Tehillim (Psalms) 104:24,35 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), NASB20

    His ‘portion’ of the proceeds

    ACTS 5:2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

    WHY?

    • Didn’t Luke tell us that ALL brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet?
    • AND also, these ACTS of GENEROSITY of ALL sharing ALL of their possessions resulted in
      • the Apostles distributing to each as anyone had need?

    The offering of Anaias’ portion of the sale may have exceeded the value of what most could contribute who shared everything they sold. So often leading contributors of the Church receive public accolades for their ‘generosity.’

    Yet what had Peter learned from Jesus preaching about our portion of riches?

    Gospel of Luke 12:– Lying to the HOLY SPIRIT & GREED

    10 “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him;

    but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.

    “Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

    Peter and ALL of those touched by the tongues of fire on Pentecost have already experienced this.

    But in this same teaching, Jesus warns again of the danger of riches to those who would cling to their possessions.

    “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive..

    Gospel of Luke 12:15b-16[21] NASB20 – Jesus cautioning against greed
    AND IN THE END of Jesus’ parable:
    We know the expression, but hear little of it's context: EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY..
    
    ‘And I will say to my [SOUL], “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’

    “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’

    Gospel of Luke 12:[19-20] NASB20

    Why do you lie to the HOLY SPIRIT?

    ACTS 5: of their Deceit

    3 But Peter said,

    “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control?

    Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart?

    You have not lied to men, but to God.”

    Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.

    So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

    6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

    FAR DIFFERENT from our 21st century receiving of this weeks 'offering' when we are obliged to put something in the basket (or plate) rather anonomously.

    Saphira

    I might easily expound at length on Saphira's role as the wife of Ananias. 
    
    Should she agree with her husband's dishonesty OR tell the truth even when her husband is dishonest? 
    
    Just a Scriptures familiar to her for your own consideration:
    All quotes from BlueLetterBible.org 
    • and they shall become one flesh. – Genesis 2:24b
    • There certainly was no one like Ahab who gave himself over to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. – 1 Kings 25:25
    • His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. – Job 2:9-10
    • An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
      • But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4

    “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.

    Gospel of Luke 14:26 + a caution of JESUSv.27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

    SAPHIRA, one with ANANIAS as his wife had a choice: Yet both also gave their word to the Apostles to remain one with the community of Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

    Which choice will SHE make when confronted by truth?

    Three Hours Later

    Perhaps she had been window shopping in Jerusalem for some new clothes or possions appropriate to their high status. Maybe she had asked Ananias for some of their new-found profit. (This is just spectulation.)

    ACTS 5: of Saphira

    ..his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

    8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”

    “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”

    9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?

    She must have immediately wondered, ‘HOW does he know that Ananias received more? I never thought that Ananias would cave in and tell him.’

    Peter continues as she stands before these witnesses in shock at his words and she hears some men approaching the door of their meeting place..

    Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”

    Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.


    And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

    Are your possessions worth your soul?
    ACTS of the Apostles - To be continued...
  • The Christian Like Jesus?

    The Christian Like Jesus?

    If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

    Matthew 10:20

    Jesus & Christians: Hypocrites

    Do you realize that the religious leaders of Jerusalem called Jesus a hypocrite?

    You are NOT the Son of God, they accused. And the world accuses any who strongly associate with Jesus Christ of this same hypocrisy. Wolves preying upon the sheep of Christ taught with tenderness and little warning of a 21st century ravenous appetite of the world to dethrone Christ Jesus.

    Scripture

    Matthew 10

    Original talkofJesus.com post:

    Original post April 3, 2014 – Topic: Hypocrisy
    Summer Reruns! with picture of sun wearing sunglasses
    Summer 2021 AD {Scriptural} Reruns
    • CLICK “…Continue reading ” above,
    • THEN Ask a question or comment at the end of this post
    • OR email Roger@talkofJesus.com with your reaction, questions & comments.

    Stay tuned from more Summer of 2021 Reruns from talkofJESUS.com

    (ditto: Summer 2022 – more to come)

  • The Tongue is a Fire! – Speaking of Christians

    The Tongue is a Fire! – Speaking of Christians

    If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

    James 1:26 CSB

    Contents of 3-part series

    We began this forum for freely speaking whatever is on your mind with the substance and consequences of speaking out in POLITICS. November in the U.S. is always a contentious time and the approaching year of Presidential politics will offer more intense variations on the themes of hypocrisy and hatred.

    As the politically correct and often biased words of media might suggest, RELIGION has no say so in these arguments. The movie scene depicted in the photo for this series suggests a time when all of this correctness fails for all of us, including media.

    Next and finally, today we will take a look at what the Bible has to say about such things. Examine your heart further along with me as our tongues speak up (sometimes inappropriately) for Jesus Christ.

    Don’t be deceived

    Paul preaches to the church in Ephesus:

    Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Ephesians 5:6

    James suggests early in his letter how easily we deceive ourselves.

    James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God…

    He offers a remedy to hypocrisy, of which we will quickly be accused. And James illustrates our self-examination in the mirror.

    22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

    23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

    Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath!

    It’s just not our nature (Christian or not).

    Because we speak out so quickly, we show how easily we are deceived. It is the same deception of our own hearts mentioned in Genesis 3:13

    And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, H5377 and I did eat.

    Disobedience Brings God’s Judgment

    This has always been the warning of the LORD’s true prophets to a people who claim religious favor while displaying hypocritical sin.

    The Lord will judge and many have warned us throughout the millennia in scripture given by Almighty God.

    In order that you may anticipate my outline from the Lord’s word, we will examine four of these chronologically:

    1. Jeremiah ~687-520 B.C.
    2. John the Baptist ~A.D. 30
    3. Jesus Christ
    4. James, brother of Jesus, leader of the church at Jerusalem ~A.D. 50

    Jeremiah 9:

    3 “They bend their tongue like their bow;
    Lies and not truth prevail in the land;
    For they proceed from evil to evil,
    And they do not know Me,” declares the Lord.

    The LORD, through the Prophet Jeremiah, condemns the tongue of the religious leaders of Judah.

    5 “Everyone deceives his neighbor
    And does not speak the truth,
    They have taught their tongue to speak lies;
    They weary themselves committing iniquity.
    6 “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit;
    Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.

    The Tongue that Answers Hypocrisy

    How is this any different than the hypocrisy of some who claim God today?

    Though this condemnation is directed toward Jews around 627 Before Christ, the Lord could well convict so-called christians of this 21st century in the year of our Lord.

    For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?
    8 “Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
    It speaks deceit;
    With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor,
    But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.
    9 “Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the Lord.
    “On a nation such as this
    Shall I not avenge Myself?

    The Lord does not condemn the nations for the fire of their accusations against God, but those who claim the Name of the Lord whose tongue deceives their neighbor and speaks deceit.

    How are we not like those condemned here, where our tongues of fire shout against the evils of the world, “I’m mad and hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

    John the Baptist

    In a captive Israel (and Judah) after centuries of silence from the Lord, many recognized John as a Prophet of God. Jesus confirms it.

    “And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.

    The testimony of Jesus Christ about John the Baptist – Matthew 11:14

    REPENT! you religious hypocrites

    John never said this in so many words, but repentance of sins and hypocrisy of the tongue by religious leaders held center-stage in his ministry to the crowds in the wilderness.

    Matthew 3:

    4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

    Although the son of a priest, John followed the Lord’s leading away from the Temple limelight into the wilderness. And his raiment reminded all of the great Prophet Elijah. John’s fiery calls for repentance he directed not to idolatrous followers of other religions, but to the Jews.

    Our most enduring impression of John may be his public accusation of the leaders of religion who came to hear him in the wilderness.

    What the crowds witnessed

    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,

    “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Matthew 3:7-8 ESV

    I could easily say more about John’s tongue of fire as it also applies to Christians, but I’ll save it for a more detailed look at John the Baptist, greatest of the prophets who the Lord sent before the Messiah Jesus.

    Proverbs for the Tongue

    There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

    The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

    Proverbs 12:18-19 KJV

    Christ Jesus

    As John and the Spirit testified, Jesus is more than a man who speaks truth. He IS the Perfect truth established before time for all time, the Son of God the Father!

    Previously in this series I mentioned Jesus’ caution about the tongue of one saying “raca” or “you fool” being liable to hell. Although this ought to be caution enough for those claiming Christ, here I will add an additional insight from Jesus about hell.

    Jews, Messianic Jews and Christians may differ on our views of hell; its punishments, certainly who is condemned and the nature of eternal life after death. Nevertheless, considering not the illustrative nature of the parable, but the truth of what the Messiah Jesus must witness by His very word, take just this one scene to heart.

    Luke 16:

    Jesus’ parable follows three more familiar parables about the lost followers of the LORD, Shepherd of Israel.

    Most hearers compare Jesus’ two main characters, a rich earthly master and his poor servant by identifying Jesus’ parable as The Rich Man and Lazarus. For many this may confuse the issues of resurrection (identified with the name of this other Lazarus) and salvation for the wealthy (which Jesus seems to oppose on many occasions).

    Neither wealth nor resurrection are at issue in this parable.

    Prior to this parable, Jesus categorically states:

    “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.

    Luke 16:16 NLT

    Jesus on Social Injustice

    J.B. Phillips focuses our attention more to the issue of how we act toward others during this mortal life, introducing this parable: Jesus shows the fearful consequence of social injustice.

    It’s a tragic tale describing the inequities of this life, followed by a scene of the rich man gazing upon heaven from hell. The rich master and faithful servant have died, their fates having rewarded each justly.

    And from among the dead he looked up and saw Abraham a long way away, and Lazarus in his arms.

    ‘Father Abraham!’ he cried out, ‘please pity me.

    Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’

    Luke 16 excerpt J.B. PHILLIPS

    This follower of the LORD who had every blessing in life pleads to Abraham to intercede for him while he suffers the agony of hell! It would be like asking a saint of old or mother of our Lord to help you. Just cool my tongue from the agony in these flames.

    Jesus has already separated the sheep from the goats. This is no intermittent place of punishment where relief through others may take place.

    Dear brother or sister in Christ,

    Therefore, watch your tongue and actions in this mortal life. For we must now be perfect in Him before a world hearing us as Christ, named ‘Christians.’

    James

    Earlier this year I addressed the turmoil of religion and politics which preceded the appearance of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. If you would like to read more follow this link to James and Jerusalem’s Controversy.

    The applications of James to Christian contemporary thought may be helpful to each of us personally, particularly what I taught previously on this in James – Preaching to a Worldly Church.

    Even though I recently covered the entire book of James, his application to Christians is worth repeating as a brief conclusion to this 3-part series: The Tongue is a Fire!

    FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY:

    DISCLAIMER: IF you do not believe in God, no need to read further. As Jeremiah aimed his tongue of rebuke to the Jews and as John the Baptist also called God’s chosen to repentance, this is not for those who refuse the Lord’s grace.

    And so, you who claim Christ consider this:

    Your contemporary issue of how God can use your tongue of fire to save the world may not agree with scripture.

    Roger Harned – TalkofJesus.com

    Which issue excites your tongue to cry out, “you brood of vipers?” Abortion? Equal rights for women? Helping poor migrants trying to come to America? Healthcare, food and shelter for the poor? Fair elections? Tolerance for other religions?

    All of these causes may excite your witness to others, but the leaders of the church will warn you and me to watch our tongue and act like Jesus.

    You cannot go wrong by keeping the love of Jesus on your lips and the fruit of love in the harvest of your relationships with others. But look more closely at nearly every New Testament writer and the sayings of Jesus:

    Our words of refinement and love are for each other – brothers and sisters in Christ. If our actions match the love of Jesus, only then will the world take note of our words.

    James 3:

    2 For in many things we offend all. – KJV

    Christians excel in this, but the world should not be offended by you. Rather, the world is offended by Christ Jesus and will not accept the grace of His love.

    2-6 [PHILLIPS] We all make mistakes in all kinds of ways, but the man who can claim that he never says the wrong thing can consider himself perfect, for if he can control his tongue he can control every other part of his personality!

    Think of it. If you control your tongue, you can be perfect; that is, Christ-like. Your actions will finally become perfect, because you mirror our Lord.

    5b [NASB] See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

    The Not So Good NEWS of Today

    Can you think of some in the public eye whose tongues easily set social media on fire?

    Sadly, Christians participate in the hot debates of those worldly things which have little or nothing to do with Christ. I admit it. My speech before others sparks debate. Yet is it for Christ?

    Are you a disciple of your political party? Of your particular issue? Do you show religion as condemnation and faith as opposition to the value of others?

    8 [NASB] But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.

    Again, the hypocrisy of ‘christians’

    As we pointed a finger toward ourselves in an earlier post in this series, this is hypocrisy. James tells us that it must not be. He asks the church to direct our teaching first to ourselves.

    [PHILLIPS] … your lives will be an example of the humility that is born of true wisdom… —don’t deny the truth that you must recognise in your inmost heart… For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil.

    TRUE. True in the world and true in the church. Jealousy and rivalry lead to disharmony and many kinds of evil. Don’t get caught up in it all.

    Listen to this: James’ instruction to Christians in how to be perfect can be found in two verses of his letter. Consider them before your tongue turns your life off course in the next storm of public opinion.

    Wisdom from Above

    17-18 [PHILLIPS] The wisdom that comes from God is first utterly pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of tolerant thoughts and kindly actions, with no breath of favouritism or hint of hypocrisy. And the wise are peace-makers who go on quietly sowing for a harvest of righteousness—in other people and in themselves.

    Would a list help?

    From the KJV, But the wisdom that is from above is:

    • pure,
    • peaceable,
    • gentle,
    • easy to be intreated,
    • full of mercy
    • good fruits,
    • without partiality,
    • without hypocrisy.

    We cannot be pure while leavened by the hatred of the world. And the world’s peace looks much different than the peace of Jesus.

    Can you imagine any more gentle example than our Lord Jesus Christ?

    Easy to be intreated would be advice from more obedient times meaning compliant or easily obeying. Modern translations sweeten it a bit calling this trait, ‘reasonable.’ Are you reasonable or compliant in your conversation with others?

    Full of mercy: there’s a trait we wish to encounter. Compassion, true compassion for others; not claims of a nice ‘christian’ to treat others with mercy, but Christ-like compassion for another.

    Jesus said:

    “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

    the words of Jesus to religious leaders – Matthew 9:13

    Are you a Pharisee of this 21st century in the eyes of those you encounter? You with ears to hear, hold your tongue until your heart finds mercy.

    We know many parables of Jesus about the fruit of righteousness. Do you show others how you, a sinner, have changed? Like John the Baptist scorned the Pharisees and Scribes coming for baptism:

    “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Matthew 3:8 NASB

    Has Jesus changed you? Did your tongue receive Christ’s bridle of restraint of your words of witness to the world?

    Is your witness for a cause OR for Christ Jesus? What do your words say?

    Show no partiality or favoritism in your faith. Be unwavering for Jesus rather than swayed to the right or to the left by the crowds.

    NO Hypocrisy

    Hypocrisy is the mask of appearances, the make-up of our image. It is the false face of the world and their accusation of masked ‘christians.’

    The fire of our tongue will betray our motives. And our fruit of hypocrisy is witness against Jesus.

    Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9 NASB

    It is the genuine love of Jesus Christ, sincere faith in our Lord. The world must see Jesus in your actions, but first the world will hear your words.

    Are the words of your mouth witness that Jesus IS your LORD?

    OR

    Do you just have something more to say back to the world from your fiery tongue?

    Remember the love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dear saint and fellow sinner. For you would not want to hear the Lord say,

    “I never knew you.”

    May the grace, mercy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ help you to hold your tongue from evil and witness His love through the Holy Spirit.
    
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