The Power Of The Tongue -- Speak LIFE

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It is Out of the Abundance of a Person's Heart that the Mouth Speaks

Where godly integrity is absent, death is inevitable!  You may ask, “Why do you say that it's the lack of integrity that is ‘deadly’?” In reply, let me draw your attention to the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me!”  Believe me, no statement has been or could be further from the truth!  While sticks and stones in the hands of the wrong people can break bones, words spoken in the wrong way can cause even worse damage to a person’s heart!  Consider the following Scripture verses.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverb 18:21)  “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” (Psalm 57:4)  “There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” (Proverb 12:18)

In the Ten Commandments, God says, “Thou shalt not kill!”  Don't be deceived into thinking that this command applies only to physically stabbing or shooting somebody to death.  On the contrary, as Jesus, Himself, said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, (as defined in Vine’s Expository Dictionary to mean: “utter contempt, empty, intellectually rather than morally, empty-headed, vain, fool, a godless moral reprobate") shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22)

You see, you don't need a knife or a gun to commit murder! All you need to do is sow the wrong word seed into the life of a person and, if not rooted out, death will soon follow. Luke teaches us that, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

There is a great example of this, during the Second World War, as our troops were fighting to gain control of the islands in the Pacific theater. The Japanese unleashed a rather unconventional and very deadly weapon. They used a number of English-speaking Japanese women, collectively dubbed “Tokyo Rose” by the Americans, to broadcast messages intended to undermine the American war effort. As the American troops were listening to their radios, “Tokyo Rose” would break in and read from a script that the Japanese military thought might inflict the greatest psychological damage. For example, she would say things like: “Boys, while you are suffering for a lost cause in these hot jungles, your wives and girlfriends are back home in the arms of other men,” or, “Your government does not care about you! That’s why they have sent you here to die in this fight that you can never win!” Like my own grandfather, anyone who was there can tell you that these “fiery darts” inflicted emotional torments that resulted in many physical casualties.

Deadly word seed, if not rooted out, will yield a death crop wherever it is sown! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Contrary to the beliefs held by many, this verse pertains not only to our sowing money seed when the plate is passed in Church, but is also equally applicable to word seed we sow.

If you sow good seed, you will reap a good harvest. Sow weed seed and what do you get? Weeds! It IS really that simple. Practicing godly integrity where our speech is concerned will always minister life to the hearer.

Check out a statistic I learned from a Pastor friend of mine some time ago. He shared with me that he read the results of a study explaining where, on average, it takes seventeen positive words of encouragement to negate just one harshly spoken word (discouragement) in the life of a person. He said that, in some cases, it will take even more than that, if the person ever recovers at all. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverb 18:21)

We all have a wonderful opportunity to turn the tide of destruction in the lives of those around us!  We need to truly understand this:  LIVES OF PEOPLE CAN EVENTUALLY BECOME WHAT WE SAY, so ...  SPEAK LIFE!

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 Keep PRESSIN' IN!

Your friends and co-laborers in Christ,

    

To show God BIG in a world that sees Him small...  

sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith to focus on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, decades ago, through Toward The Mark, Inc.  Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word, The Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Gospel Jesus Christ preached.

We INVITE You ... check out and share more resources from TTM for helping build your trusting, resting, and waiting i-n God's Word, Will, and Ways: 

~    Between The Lines Video podcast on the TTM channel

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~    BetweenTheLines Podcasts on our TTM podcast channel:  

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~    Secrets God Unveils on the TowardTheMark website 

~    Take me back to the TOP of THE POWER OF THE TONGUE blog

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I'm Married to a Broken Vessel Who Rarely, if EVER, Lets a FIERY TRIAL Go To WASTE

"If there's one thing we ALL know something about, it's PAIN! ..."

*Based on Paul's experience written in  2 Corinthians 12:5-11*

NEW Podcast *NEVER LET A FIERY TRIAL GO TO WASTE! -- The Benefit We Gain from Suffering in the Flames is GETTING to Glorify God's Holy Name!*

Listen In... Pass It On @ http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/4261070

Who hasn't suffered broken dreams, moments of doubt or weakness, growing pains, anxiety, panic attacks, insecurities, injustice, lost hope, passion for a turning point, feelings of hopelessness, loss, worries about the future, needs that went unmet, lost opportunities, fear of failure, unanswered prayers, rejection, ...(your experience)?!

Most of our trials and tribulations come because of our own bad choices, but we keep PRESSIN' IN and keep on learnin' and growin'.

~  "Between The Lines Video Podcast" on our Vimeo Channel 

One week ago today, this was the miracle that began and promises great progress and returns over the next week, 3 months, and 365 days!Praise The Lord for His divine appointments and answering our prayers!

      We are IN the flames, and IN pain, but we won't let it be the END of us.  Instead, we're doing our best to offer up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God.  Each prayer and word of strength and encouragement from our faithful friends means more than you can ever know! Keith's pain is much worse than I thought it would be at this point. I know that one thing we ALL know something about is PAIN. Each one of your experiences that you share with others can be such a tremendous inspiration! It has been a tough week here! Keith and I have to keep reminding ourselves that his healing neck wound from, what we didn't exactly think would be such, extensive surgery is not like a "simple paper cut!"  And the blood, bruising, unexpected intermittent swelling, and pain that is taking much longer than we expected to improve in his broken body, is part of it all. Whew! We're hangin' in there and in constant prayer until things get settled down... in time. Patience is a virtue, right?? It's a daily development here. Thank you to all who took time to send us your love, prayers, and words of encouragement and strength!!  If you have any favorite Scripture or advice you might offer, for waiting patiently in faith and rest, please do share.  Thank you, in advance!!

(BEFORE 3-hours in surgery)                         (AFTER 3-hour surgery)

We soon became very encouraged by facebook comments and direct messages that kept coming.  I was charging my phone as much as I could in the hospital, so I could check in more often and read to Keith.  What I saw really helped lift him up as he suffered in post-op pain, so terribly.  Every one of those kind comments, emails, and direct messages, helped take our minds away from the draining effects of the physical condition Keith's body was in, and of the raw emotions (worry, doubt, sadness, sorrow, ...) we seemed to work hard to overcome, and remain optimistic. Have you been in a place in your life when your glass seemed unusually half empty? How did you handle things and what was the result? To share a testimony with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

The waiting room attendant, very nice lady, with great character qualities for doing a job like hers, was finally able to tell me that Keith was in post-op recovery and I would be able to see him, soon. I decided to look for something unique that might cheer him up.  Look at this cute little "Air Walker Balloon Puppy" I found in the hospital gift shop. I simply named him "Buddy for Keiffy."

     We so appreciate you, your friendship, prayers, and generous contribution to us here at this small ministry!  Each of the notes, cards, calls, and words given to Keith in prayer and for strength and encouragement means more to us than you'll ever know. In our every day prayers, we make sure to stand with each friend and/or acquaintance who has let us know about a trial, pain, or tribulation they are in.  And we also make sure to stand with each friend in their heart's deepest desires, that they be fulfilled by our Most Holy, Wonder-full, Living, Loving God and Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is returning soon and very soon! Hallelujah! Amen!

*Although Keith and I were having a good time with our new Air Walker Buddy, MarGirl didn't share our sentiment. She managed to tolerate his presence with us. We love this faithful little companion, and her flexible character we've been enjoying now for 8 fabulous years!*
We hope you are able to take joy this beautiful day that the Lord has made. What a day to do some of our best thinking, singing, and talking with The Lord.

Keep PRESSIN' IN!

            Read more messages, twelve of them, based on God's Life-Giving Scriptures and how it has been applied to Keith in his life, in our book, "XII Smooth Stones" available on our website at TowardTheMark.com.

            Would you write and let us know if this, or another particular blog, message has fanned the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life? To place a special order for "XII Smooth Stones" or another Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark book or original music CD,  click here to e-mail your request or write us a letter and mail it to us at the address below, or  as shown on our website.

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XII SMOOTH STONES by Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark is a 12-message collection:

No Matter What!	The Magnetic Mantle...Cats Should Have Kitties;
Fire, Pressure, and Them Slithery... Snakes	The Ultimate Home Gym
Vampires In The Church	STOP...
The Great Deception	The Invisible Man
God Is So Much Bigger Than You Think!	Die Empty!
Building Godly Friendships	The Secret To A Happy Life

We pray God uses this message to fan the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life. If you have any questions about our work, or if you would like to make a special tax-deductible donation, place a special order for any of our books, magazines, or CDs, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

May God bless you greatly as you carry this truth in your heart. We are eternally grateful for our loving Toward The Mark Family of sponsors who make this blog, and all of our resources, possible by their faithful prayer and monthly financial support!

Your friends and servants in Christ,

    

To Show GOD BIG in a World that Sees Him small… 
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith to focus on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc.  Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products.

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This blog message, along with the complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other Bible-based resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Sponsorship Family. We'd like to invite you to come on-board, to become a part of the TTM Family as well by becoming a monthly financial partner? Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools that are available to everyone, the churched and un-churched alike, who desire to know more of the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us as we "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

We INVITE You ... to follow and share these resources that are also available, for helping build your faith in God, His Will, and His Ways: 

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Thank you in advance for sowing your financial seed into the fertile soil of this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!

Keep PRESSIN' IN!

           Take me back to the top of this post.

           Take me back to "The Magnetic Mantle...Why Cats Should Have Kitties".

           Take me to "Valentine's 5-Step Prep" post.

           Take me to "Run TO the Roar!" post.

           Take me to "Overcoming Intimidation" post.

           Take me to "The Heart of Thanksgiving" post.

           Take me to "The Invisible Man" post.

           Take me to "The Abomination of Misrepresentation" post.

           Take me to "Living Among Thorns" post.

           Take me to Keith's Journey through Chapter ONE of *Keep the FAITH*.

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God gives Keith a GLIMPSE into HELL

The truth of the matter is this:

Hell begins on the Earth in the hearts of those who do not want to have anything to do with their Creator.  When people turn their back on the Truth and open themselves up to unclean spirits, they are offering themselves to be used by those spirits to advance satan's vindictive agenda.  And, trust me, as soon as he is finished using your body and talents, he will throw you away like last week's garbage.  Keith Shealy

Satan and his minions are frauds.  Although satan presents himself as being great and powerful, he can do nothing beyond what his Creator allows him to do.  This also applies to all of the fallen angelic host.  They will eventually be imprisoned in Hell, along with those who have rejected The Truth - eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - and followed the ways of death yielded to the sin that stole from them the years for which God had so many wonderful things planned.  The very desire they pursued is the very instrument of their ruination.  All of the horrible things that they are a part of, are simply the early stages of the eternal torment such people will experience, when they finally get their wish to be completely separated from God.  And, though they get their wish, they will never be satisfied, as Hell is not a place of satisfaction.  There will be NO party.

So, if Hell is not the party that so many are being convinced that it is, then what is it really like?  I had been hearing so many people down through the years say something to the effect that, "Hell will be a big party and all of my friends will be there!"  Though I was very aware that they were saying this in jest, each time I heard it, my heart would ache because, in many of those cases, it was obvious they were making that statement as a way to brush off their need to face the reality of the sin in their life.  In short, satan had convinced them to remain deceived in their dead-end lifestyle, which is no life at all.

While in prayer early one morning, I asked the Lord to show me what Hell is really like.  You might wonder why I would even ask for that!  Well, I asked so that I could better warn those who have been deceived, or lulled to sleep, concerning the reality of Hell and its horrors.  I will try my best to describe to you what I saw, but, before I start please understand that human language and understanding are not enough to even begin to describe the sheer horror and never-ending torment that awaits those who are sentenced to Hell!

So, about 4:00 AM on May 30th, 2007, this is what I saw.  If you have ever smelled the sickening stench of the charred remains of someone who has died in a fire, multiply that by the countless number of bodies in that putrid condition, and you have but a minute example of the state of those who are in Hell.  They are not simply scorched to death, but they are trapped in a state where their flesh is literally burned all the way down to their bones, leaving only charred pieces of muscle tissue, skin, and singed hair fused to their skeleton, making them totally unidentifiable for even the most skilled forensic scientist.

Now imagine that that person is you, and that instead of mercifully dying of shock shortly after you are exposed to the fire, you continue to be aware and awake, completely conscious that every single cell in your body is burning at a temperature that can only be compared to that of the surface of the sun.  Within mere seconds of arriving in Hell, you would feel pain so excruciating that you would uncontrollably chew your tongue to shreds; and you would ceaselessly grind your teeth while, at the same time, letting out bloodcurdling screams begging for just a second's worth of relief that never comes.

It was apparent, in just the first glimpse that I had, that Hell is a massive place with different things going on everywhere I looked.  The one huge cave or cavern-like area that I saw was filled with countless small pits, each about four feet by four feet across and about five feet deep.  Each of these crudely-hewn pits contained a person, having the appearance of a charred skeleton with a pale greenish-colored glow emanating from inside the rib cage.  It was obvious that the pale glow was the person's tormented soul, which can never be extinguished or annihilated.

Just in that one cavern-like area, were huge demon-like figures that appeared to be, if I had to guess, members of a sort-of army of satan.  They were methodical in making their rounds, clearly assigned to do nothing but heap continual torment on the souls trapped in their pits.  Perhaps, the thing that was most unbearable was hearing all of the hopeless, screaming souls pleading their cases with the demonic soldiers, how they did not deserve to be there in Hell!  I could hear every one of their high-pitched, ear-piercing begs pleading for a second chance and their reasons why they should not be there - each plea falling on deaf ears.  And, while the countless tormented souls seemed to be desperately trying to crawl out of the pits, those huge demon-like figures continually came around and violently kicked them back down.

Something that amazed me was the type of stone in which each of the pits was dug.  I had never given it much thought, but once I had seen it, it was obvious that the rock played a big part in what was going on there.  It was very porous and had extremely sharp-edged, jagged surfaces.  Its likeness was that of a black type of coral.  It was clearly painful to stand on or to touch; but not only that, its rough, open pores also allowed white hot flames from the earth's core to shoot up through it into each of the pits, continually consuming each of the souls with sudden ongoing bursts of fire.

Almost as tormenting as the flames and the jagged stone, was the permanent state of nausea that I could see everyone there suffering through, and the indescribable stench that consumed the entire atmosphere.  It was the stench of the combined rotting souls all trapped in the confines of hell, with no fresh air ever, and for eternity.  Again, the saddest part of it all was hearing the countless souls there simultaneously begging for forgiveness, pleas that went totally unheard.  Does that sound like a party to you?

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with The Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:7-9)

As I was leaving there, every single cell of my body was consumed with the reality that God is so close to us here on earth - He is just one prayer away.  While we have a pulse, we have a will and the privilege to choose to accept God and reject satan and eternal torment.  It became crystal clear to me that satan goes to such devious extremes to blind us from that fact.

Until our heart stops beating, we have a choice to make and a will to choose.  God has gifted us with the privilege to accept the great sacrifice that His Son Jesus Christ paid, so we could have eternity to spend with our loving, joyful, peace-filled Father in Heaven.  Only until we have glimpsed into Hell, or have had the unfathomable honor of standing in the Divine Presence of Almighty God, can we even begin to perceive the infinite enormity of what Jesus Christ has freely given of Himself, for each of us!

God has no desire that people should go to that eternal place of torment, but that every one of us be saved.  So, He has provided the Way of escape, through Jesus Christ.

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die....”  (Ezekiel 33:11a)

So, how does one escape an eternity from that most terrifying of all places? You must receive the Gift of Faith to believe the Truth of the Gospel. You must repent by turning away from your sins, and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and to be your Lord and Savior.  

You might ask, How do I do that?  It is simple; say this prayer from your heart:  "Father God, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, I lay my life at Your feet.  I come before You confessing that I am a sinner, and asking that You forgive me of all my sins -- those that I know that I have committed as well as those that I am not even aware of.  I ask that You come into my heart and be my Lord.  I lay my life and everything in it at Your feet, and ask that You would take me now and begin the process of changing me into Your likeness.  I ask that You redeem the time that has past and allow me the opportunity to become exactly what You have predestined me to be from the foundation of the earth.  I commit my life to You now, and thank You for receiving me as Your own.  In the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, Amen."

So that you have a better understanding of why it is necessary for you to pray that prayer of commitment to God from your heart, I would like to bring to your attention this story found in the book of John.

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit . Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind blows where it listeth, and thou hear the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and know not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  (John 3:1-16)

            You see, only God can offer us eternal life, peace and joy!  All who end up like satan will experience death and eternal suffering.  So, the next time you hear someone say that Hell is going to be a party, let them know that they have been given the wrong address.  Then tell them that the only eternal celebration that will be held will be held in God's house and God is personally inviting them to come.


Find this message entitled, "The Great Deception" in its entirety in Keith's book, XII Smooth Stones available on the TTM WEBSITE.





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In closing:  For more Scripture-based truths to help as you Press Toward "one-ness" with our Heavenly Father, check  out our other messages and resources:
~ "Keith Shealy's TowardTheMark" Facebook page,
~ Keith's "Between The Lines" Podcast channel,
~ "Sharingwith you the Secrets God Whispers to me" monthly message on the website, and
~ "TTMSingingSgt" on Twitter 

Satan's War On Words…

Satan's War On Words…

What We DON'T Know CAN Hurt Us AND Every Generation to Come!

"Abiding in Jesus - that is, living the Abundant Life - means His Words are living in us; we think them day and night. God has provided the means whereby this can be accomplished, and He is not obliged to change His methods to match our expectations or our modern way of life." - Keith

God's Word is not simply difficult for us to comprehend: It is impossible for our human minds to understand God's Word! We simply do not think the way God thinks. Consider this, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Find this, and more, on our TTM Teaching page of our TTM WEBSITE.

Should William Shakespeare's plays be discarded because they are not written in today's common English? 

Of course, rather than simply throwing the works on history's trash heap, they could be rewritten in modern English, so that it will be easier for people today to read them and to understand them. But Shakespeare is widely regarded as the premiere playwright of the English-speaking world, so who living today is actually qualified to modernize the plays while being able to retain the unique qualities of Shakespeare's genius? The answer is no one. William Shakespeare stands alone; his writings reflect a combination of his own genius and the time in which he lived. His plays cannot be duplicated in today's English.

There are two main problems that stand in the way of our reading and comprehending any of Shakespeare's original works, for example "Romeo and Juliet." Firstly, our modern culture bears little resemblance to Elizabethan England, so the many cultural references and nuances are lost on us. Secondly, the English language we speak and read has undergone significant changes from what was used in Shakespeare's time. We don't even know many of the words Shakespeare used, and many of those we do recognize had different definitions when Shakespeare wrote his works. Thus, to truly appreciate Shakespeare's writings, we must become educated in the customs of the Elizabethan period and learn the Early Modern English of that period. Moreover, we need to be able to think the way they thought.

The same is true for understanding God's Word. The Scriptures include many cultural references that are meaningless to us, because we do not have the same cultural conditions today. Moreover, since God's Word was not written in English, it must be translated from the original writings, and the two primary languages of the Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek, often do not translate neatly and clearly into English. Thus, using an English translation is not enough. To gain understanding of the truths contained in the Bible, we must familiarize ourselves with the cultural settings within which the Scriptures were written and we need to apply ourselves in studying the original Hebrew and Greek. Furthermore, as with reading Shakespeare, to really comprehend the Scriptures, we need to change the way we think.

Those who have re-translated the Bible into modern English have done so with the stated purpose of making the Bible "more understandable." What they are actually doing is altering the text to match the way people think today. This fits in with the way many people choose a version of the Bible to read and to study. "I read such-n-such version, because I can understand it." However, this ignores one crucial fact. God has deliberately hidden the meaning of His Word!

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." Matthew 11:25-26

As an example, consider the great misconception concerning the reason that Jesus taught the people using parables. Many believe that the parables were employed so that He could help them to better understand Truth. This is exactly the opposite of the real reason: Jesus used parables to mask the truth. The Apostles were puzzled by this and so they asked Jesus, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" He told them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." God was allowing the Apostles to understand His mysteries, but the teachings of Christ were hidden from the rest of the people.

"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Matthew 13:10-15

God's Word is not simply difficult for us to comprehend: It is impossible for our human minds to understand God's Word! We simply do not think the way God thinks. Consider the following Scriptures:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

"The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7

Our minds rebel against the Truth contained in the Word of God. We fight against the Words of Truth and twist those words until they become more compatible with our way of thinking. This is what Jesus called making the Word of God powerless using human definitions. In the following passage, the Apostle Peter describes people who wrestle with the Word of God to their own destruction.

"Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15,16

Those who approach the Scriptures only using human understanding will not be able to understand the Truth contained in the Bible. Human understanding has caused many false doctrines to be taught all the while citing "Chapter and Verse" justification. They wrestle with the Word of God using their own definitions to their own destruction. This is why so many declare that the Bible is not the Word of God and also why some see contradictions where none exist.

God's Word is not open to private interpretations. Rather the Word of God is "settled in the heavens" having fixed meanings that He has assigned. If we approach reading the Bible using different meanings for words than He intends for those words to have, then we will not be able to properly understand the Scriptures. Thus, His Word is prevented from benefiting us.

Using our definitions to interpret God's Word is logocide!

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:8-9

Studying the Bible using man's definitions and understanding is an empty exercise. The Scriptures teach quite emphatically that we cannot understand God's Word using our minds. In order to understand God's Word, we must be taught the meaning(s) He has assigned to each word and we must learn to think God's thoughts the way He thinks them. In order to do this, God requires great sacrifice on our part.

Why do people choose a Bible version expecting to be able to read it as plainly and easily as a modern-day romance novel or action-packed thriller? In our Fast Food, Fast Lane Society, so many have become conditioned to the expectation that most of life's problems can be resolved in a thirty minute sitcom format or an hour long drama. Really difficult situations may require a two-parter. So, reading and understanding the Bible should be just as easily accomplished. An hour each week in a Sunday School class is all it takes to be a Christian, or so it would seem based upon the investment of many in the Church.

But really, how long should the pursuit of godliness take? How long should people study and prepare before they are licensed to be pastors? Why do we expect doctors and lawyers to study for many years before they are allowed to practice, but nearly any adult in the Church is qualified to teach in Sunday School? Even Jesus took about thirty years to prepare to preach for about three years. And even though He spent much of those three years intensively teaching and preparing the Apostles for the next phase of the Church, the night before He was crucified Jesus told them that He still had so much to tell them. Jesus also told them that He and God the Father were sending the Holy Spirit in order for the Apostles to continue receiving their education in the pursuit of the Truth and godliness. The instructions Jesus gave to the Apostles are in perfect harmony with the instructions given to Joshua many centuries before:

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8

Abiding in Jesus, that is, living the Abundant Life, means His Words are living in us; we think them day and night. God has provided the means whereby this can be accomplished and He is not obliged to change His methods to match our expectations or modern way of life. We must work to understand the Bible. If we want God's results, we must use His methods. If we use man's methods, we should not be surprised when we don't get God's results. God never changes. It is we who must change, if we are to become like Him. And how is this to be accomplished?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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." (Romans 12:1-2)

The pursuit of godliness is not merely another item on a busy "To Do" list. The pursuit of godliness IS the "To Do" list! Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. This will take the rest of your life, and even that's not enough. Spend the rest of your life studying God's Word and you will not have even scratched the surface of what is contained in it. God's Word is inexhaustible. It is the infinite book written by The Infinite God.

For more on this topic, and many others, see "TTM Teaching Messages" on our website at TowardTheMark.com.

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