Layout for Today

For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. Proverbs 4:16-17

mini kits: A Little Crush and This is Us by Blue Heart Scraps (flower color modified); photo: Morgue Files

context:

Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4:10-27

Please don't forget that the foolish virgins in the parable Jesus taught needed wisdom. They were told to go to those who buy and sell to get oil for their lamps. (Matt. 25) Actually, we're ALL told to "buy wisdom and not sell it" (and the wise virgins obviously already had, and had not "sold" it.) (Prov. 23:23) God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psa. 119:105) The foolish ones had no way to see the right way to go. To fear (respect, obey) God is the firstfruits/beginning of wisdom. (Psa. 111:10) As I've said before, using the word firstfruits (as it is actually written in the Hebrew) carries the meaning of there being observable results of the wisdom that has been gained - just like the fruit of the Spirit is good and observable. (John 3:8, Gal. 5:16-25, Titus 2:11-3:8, Rom. 8:13-14, 2Pet. 1:3-15)

All of these examples relate to one another. Those who are wise will read their Bibles for themselves instead of finding time for everything but that - instead of going along with the deceived, blinded crowd. (Matt. 7:12-29, Luke 6:43-49, 2Tim. 3:12-13, John 3:19-21) Notice that Jesus continues on in those passages about [the one who knows the way, or we could also say the Way - John 14:6] bearing good fruit. Empty confessions of faith and claims to know God will not cut it - God is not fooled by them. (Gal. 6:7-10, Heb. 4:12-13, Rom. 2:6-11, Rev. 22:10-15) He wants to be worshiped in spirit and truth. (John 4:20-26)

We're to fight the good fight until the end. (1Cor. 9:27-10:13, Phil. 3:8-21, Jam. 1:12-27, Rev. 3:11-13, Heb. 12:1-4) Whoever turns back is not worthy of the blessings and privileges that await the children of God. (Luke 20:34-36, Matt. 10:38, Luke 9:62, Rom. 8:16-19, 1Cor. 2:9) We can be forgiven of ANY sin that we will acknowledge and ask God to forgive and wash us clean of (1John 1:5-10), but we mustn't put God to the test by sinning deliberately and refusing to heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and quenching His voice. (Heb. 12:5-11, Rev. 3:19, Heb. 3:12-15, 1Cor. 15:34, 2Cor. 12:20-21, Eph. 4:30, 1Thess. 5:19, Jam. 5:19-20, Gal. 6:1) To do so is to endanger our faith, which is a gift given ONLY through Him, through the hearing of the Word of God. (Rom. 10:17)

Contrary to what is traditionally taught by many, there is NO religious ritual that will impart faith. The Holy Spirit works faith in the hearts of people through the Word. Period. (John 6:63-69) There are no instances of someone being told to do anything but hear (and accept it as truth) in order to believe. Belief always comes before baptism, the Lord's Supper and good works done with the help and prompting of the Holy Spirit. These are the result of salvation, not a means to it.

We've all heard of people (many of them famous) who have recently announced to the world that they no longer believe. What happened? They apparently indulged their flesh by entertaining thoughts about their own wisdom and that of this lost and forsaken world being more desirable and reliable than the eternal truth of God. (2Tim. 4:3-4, 2Pet. 3, 1Cor. 2:14, 3:18-20, Heb. 11:6, John 14:6) We do have the free will to "trade in" our eternal inheritance for the worthless things and "pleasures" of this world, but only fools actually do so. (Psa. 14:1-3, Ecc. 10:2, 12:11-14, Prov. 14:12, Isa. 32:6-8, Heb. 12:12-29, 6:4-12, 10:26-39, 2Pet. 2:20-21)

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8

People who make such a horrible trade have not been set free. They're still slaves to sin (John 8:34-36, Rom. 6:12-23, 2Pet. 2:19, 2Tim. 2:24-26), whether that of defiling their flesh (Jude 1:5-8, 16-25, 2Tim. 3:1-7, Gal. 5:13, 1John 2:15-17, 2:28-29, 1Thess. 4:7-8), of loving money (1Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:24), or whatever else that they love more than God (which is idolatry - Col. 3:5-25). They profess to know (or have known) God, but by their works prove otherwise. (Titus 1:15-16, 1John 2:19, 2:1-7 - notice the reference to the command to love, also see Rom. 13:8-14, Matt. 22:36-40; 1John 3:4-11 - again, notice the reminder to love in v. 11 and also in 1John 3:23-24 - these commands are not about obeying the letter of the law, but the spirit of it. Rom. 7:4-6, 2Cor. 3:6, Eph. 2:15, Col. 2:23) (I don't think it's necessary to go into depth again right now that "love" is according to God's definition, which is NOT "anything goes." 1Cor. 6:9-20)

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:9-13

This is not to lump people who do believe, yet have very little visible fruit of the Spirit showing in their lives together with those who outright deny that God exists or those who preach a different Gospel - one where people earn all or part of it by their works - or perhaps one where everyone goes to heaven without needing Jesus. Some will enter in as through the fire with nothing to show for their lives, but saved nevertheless. (1Cor. 3:10-17) But we need to make sure that we don't lose our own reward by being led astray by people who confidently assure us that the Bible doesn't say what we think it does. (1Tim. 1:5-11, Heb. 6:11-12, 2John 1:5-11, 2Pet. 3:16-18) Needless to say, no one will get any inheritance if they are not a child of God, i.e. they do not even believe. (John 1:12-13, Rom. 8:14-25)

Let's recognize who is our brother or sister in the Lord by their fruits and avoid the wolves in sheep's clothing as we were instructed to do, rather than being deceived by them. (Acts 20:26-35, Matt. 7:15-29, 12:33, 13:18-23, 2Tim. 3:5, 2Cor. 11:3-4, 2John 1:10-11, 2Thess. 3:6, 1Cor. 5:11-13, 15:33-34, 16:22, 2Cor. 11:13-15, John 14:24, Mark 8:36-38, Eph. 5:6, Gal. 1:6-9, Titus 3:10-11, 2Tim. 3:13, 2Pet. 2:14-16, Eph. 5:9-10, Col. 1:10, Jam. 1:22 - keeping in mind what has been said above.) And let's read our Bibles - a solid translation, not a loose paraphrase that takes liberties with God's word, and not a "special" version twisted to support unbiblical doctrine.

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:17-20

Just a final note for any believers who obsess over every little mistake they make, worrying that they will lose their salvation. That will not happen. According to John (who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), we maintain our fellowship with God by walking in the light (remember, God's word is our light) and confessing to God (it is not necessary to have a "go-between" - He hears even our thoughts) when we have slipped. Those who love their sins more than God and are not willing to give them up run the risk of eventually blocking out the Holy Spirit's voice completely. A person who has done this (and it takes time and persistence) no longer has any concern whatsoever for their sin - sadly, they very likely no longer believe they need salvation or that Jesus is the only way.

So if you're concerned about dishonoring God with your behavior, then you have not reached a point of no return. And remember, unsaved people have not "fallen away" since they have never come to know Him as yet - they may be defiant about their sin and hostile toward God right up to the moment of receiving salvation, at which time they are made a new creation. (2Cor. 5:17). If their priorities and values do not make progress toward aligning with God's after that, then there is reason for concern. (Rom. 12:1-2, Eph. 4:11-32, 2Cor. 13:5) Our response to the unfathomable gift of salvation we have received should be a strong desire to please God. (2Cor. 5:14-15, Eph. 2:8-10)

When we have worries, it may help us to remember that John also said: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18 Jesus took our punishment. (1John 4:10) Whoever believes (present tense, continuing) will not be condemned. (John 3:16-18, Rom. 8:1) There is discipline of God's children during this earthly lifetime, but not eternal judgment (condemnation). (Heb. 12:5-11, 1Cor. 11:30-32) If someone struggles with holding onto their faith, then perhaps they should examine what (or who) they surround themselves with. We all desire to reach the lost, but we need to be careful not to be adversely influenced by them. (Gal. 6:1, 1Cor. 15:33-34, 2Pet. 3:17)

Also, a person who feeds on junk food will crave more junk food. A person who uses discrimination in their tastes will crave higher quality fare. This concept applies not only to earthly food, but to living bread, which is Jesus. (John 6:35) He said that our eye is the lamp of the body. (Matt. 6:22-23, Luke 11:34-36) If we watch or read things with corrupt humor or filth, then we are taking in darkness. (Eph. 5:7-17, 1John 1:5-10, John 8:12) Even television shows and movies that we think of as being harmless have made it their goal to work in as much worldliness as possible. We can't watch it and remain unaffected, whether we realize it at the time or not - it's gradual (like the analogy of the frog in a pot of water being brought to a boil).

The same goes for listening to the false teachers we were warned against - people who are in it to make a profit (and perhaps achieve fame) - people who preach a different gospel. (1Tim. 4:3-5, 2Pet. 2:1-3, 14-22, Jude 1:11, Jam. 3:1) Saying that we'll "spit out the bones" is like saying that "a little bit of poison" won't hurt us. Our time would be better spent for our eternal souls if we used it to pray, praise God, read our Bibles, and serve God in some way - perhaps by praying for others, making encouraging phone calls or writing notes to people we know are struggling, volunteering for godly charities (those that serve the poor and share the Gospel), etc. (Eph. 4:20-32, 5:18-21, Col. 3:5-25)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

As I have often said, we will be worshiping, praising and serving God for eternity - so the best time to start is now. He doesn't only want our fellowship according to a set schedule or routine, in a particular place, but on a continual basis. Believers are members of the Body of Christ. They ARE the Church. Gather together, but remember, the Church is not a man-made building or service. No one goes "to and from church." It's NOT a place or activity. It's us who believe.

related (to the verse for today's layout):

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (So much for the "Green New Deal" with its guaranteed "wage" even for those who refuse to work...)

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:1-5

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 2:11-3:8

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:17-22

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 4:16-5:21

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Devise Wickedness and Work Evil

October 06, 2020

A Slanderer Among Your People

October 05, 2020

A Worthless Man

October 04, 2020

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. Proverbs 16:27-29

This post does not have a political angle in any way, but due to the current atmosphere in our country I would ask those who participate in/support violence to read Prov. 1:15-16, 6:16-19 and Isa. 59:7.

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:24-30

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Hebrews 6:4-8

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:26-27

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:16

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. Titus 2:1-10

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:5-11

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:14-19

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:2-18

Comfort Me

My Comfort

Bless the Righteous

The Bread of Wickedness

Devise Wickedness and Work Evil

A Slanderer Among Your People

A Worthless Man

Opened to You

Proverbs of Wisdom

Our Heart is Glad in Him

His Story

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