Friday, January 13, 2012

When God Talks

When God talks, people don’t always listen. But we should, for when God speaks, it is so, and it is done (Isaiah 55:11; Ezekiel 12:28).

God wrote some of His Word directly on tablets of stone (Deuteronomy 9:10), and the Holy Spirit inspired chosen men of God to write the rest (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Unlike any other religious text, the Bible is not only internally consistent, but also historically and scientifically accurate, as well as tried, true, and pure (2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 18:30; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Archaeological and scientific discoveries and advances increasingly support corresponding facts in the Bible. The state of the art and of knowledge in all these disciplines changes, and their theories come and go, but the Word of God is eternal and unchanging (John 1:1; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35).

Many Biblical prophecies, such as those concerning the earthly ministry of the Messiah, have already been fulfilled exactly, with astronomical odds against this happening by chance. Those prophecies and promises not yet fulfilled will one day come to pass, and we should live accordingly, in faith and not in unbelief (Hebrews 4:1-7).

Jesus Christ, Son of God, spoke the universe into existence and saw that it was good (Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5). He used the power of His tongue to heal (Luke 5:13; 17:14; 18:42; John 5:8-9), forgive sins (John 8:11), cast out demons (Matthew 8:16), lead others to believe in Him (John 8:30), and even to raise the dead (John 11:43-44; 5:28-29).

His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17), piercing straight to the heart to convict us of our sins and of our need for His saving grace. For those who hear, believe, and act upon His Word, it cleanses us from sin (Ephesians 5:26), sustains us (Matthew 4:4), blesses us (Luke 11:28), identifies us with God (John 8:47; 1 John 2:5), and gives eternal life (John 5:24-26). Jesus withered a barren fig tree with a single utterance (Mark 11:14, 20-22), and when He returns, His Word will defeat all His enemies (Revelation 19:11-16).

Knowing this, how should we choose our own words? Words have the power to build up and to tear down. With our tongue we can bring joy, love, truth, and comfort, or incite anger, hated and strife (Philippians 2:14-16; James 3). We can glorify God with words of praise and thanksgiving, or we can dishonor Him with filthy speech and blasphemy (Ephesians 5:4,6,19-20).

Like Jesus, we can speak the truth of Scripture to war against the devil and watch him flee (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10-11). Or, like Satan, we can twist and corrupt that truth (Genesis 3: 1-5; John 8:44) so that we are false teachers speaking lies (2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; Matthew 7:15).

When we face Jesus Christ at the judgment, we will have to give account for every idle word (Matthew 12:36-37). Not just for lies, gossip, backbiting, and slander, which we know God hates (Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 10:18), but for which His Son has already paid the price in full by dying on the cross. “Idle” words imply those words spoken without much thought or care – not necessarily harmful in themselves, but perhaps preventing an opportunity to encourage, exhort, or witness (Romans 10:17; Acts 4:31). Do we chat about our latest fashion finds or football scores to fill the awkward silence, shutting out the Holy Spirit’s voice prompting us to tell someone about Jesus?

As we present our bodies to Him as a holy, acceptable living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), surely our tongue should be the member we especially consecrate to His service. When God speaks, may we listen, believe, and do what He says, following His perfect will for our lives.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie - such good advice. If we dedicate our body to God that most certainly includes our tongues. Thank you for the timely reminder.
God bless
Tracy

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Hearing His whisper in my heart always gives me courage and strength and hope. Hearing His voice is the best. Hope you have a great weekend

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Tracy! Thanks for your comment, and God's blessings to you and your ministry.
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Sarah,
So true -- it is worth the wait and shutting out the clamor around us to hear His voice of love, comforting and leading us.
May you have a blessed week!
Laurie

Nadwrażliwiec said...

God talks to us by His Word - Bible, but also He can talks to us by people, by situations, by thoughs and dreams - but in every case we should pray and check it with Bible.
Heartly greetings and blessings for You.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Zim,
That's an excellent point, that God may speak to us in many ways, but He will never say anything contrary to what is in His Word.
May you have a blessed week!
Laurie

Frank E. Blasi said...

Fulfilled prophecy is the strongest proof that the Bible was written under the inspiration of God. No other book, religious or secular, contains any fulfilled prophecy.
One example: Edger Cayce once prophesied that Atlantis would rise out of the sea before the year 2000. Twelve years on we're still waiting...

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
How true! Only God is the Alpha and Omega, able to transcend time and know the end from the beginning. But false prophets keep trying -- just another sign that the End Times are drawing near or already here.
God's blessings to you and your ministry!
Laurie

Alba Marrero said...

Thank you for the reminder!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much for your visit & comment! May you have a blessed week!
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

I used to get frustrated with a religious paper that said, "God said it, I believed it, that settled it." It was settled when God said it. If we didn't believe it, we're the ones with a problem.

Laurie Collett said...

So true, dfish! It's like a criminal saying he doesn't believe in the law that says murder is a crime, so therefore he doesn't have to go to jail if he kills someone. Our belief or lack thereof is irrelevant to God's existence and authority.
God bless,
Laurie

Pamela said...

We can use our tongues to shelter so many. Compliments, words of love, encouragement, blessing -- I want my words to be used of God.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Pamela! May he speak through us.
Love in Him,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Great read, Laurie! Looking forward to reading your post!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Nate! I am blessed by your comment, and thanks so much for following!
Blessings to you & your family,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Salviano Adao,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for following, and for your thoughtful comment. May God bless you and your ministry.

Laurie

Lori @ My Evident Faith said...

Amen!!

Laura said...

His Word is living and active, oh yes. Praying that prayer with you, Laurie--may I be listening. You are such a grace-filled woman. Many blessings.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Lori, Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Laura, Thank you so much for your encouragement -- you are a great blessing! May we hear His Word and be doers of it!
Love to you,
Laurie

Trish said...

This is indeed a wonderful and true word!
You are so right, Laurie.
We must guard our tongue at all times - not always easy but with discipline and God's grace it can be done :-)
And we will bring glory to Jesus - the eternal Word!
Thanks for linking to Simply Sweet.
God bless you and have a lovely week..Trish

Nacole said...

we are neighbors at imperfect prose today. this was faith-building and i needed it--thank you.

blessings in His grace,

Nacole

http://sixinthehickorysticks.blogspot.com/2012/01/cultivating-time-with-father-31-days-to.html

Ms. Kathleen said...

This is an excellent post with much truth, much power packed into it. Yes, guard our tongue... A great reminder.

http://theemptynestexpress.com

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Trish, Thanks so much for your encouragement! May He speak through us, and we will sing His praise and give Him the glory! May God bless you and your ministry.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Nacole,
Thanks so much for commenting and for following! I'm blessed that the post helped you today.
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Ms. Kathleen,
Thank you for your kind words and for following! God's blessings to you and to your family,
Laurie

Denise said...

Very awesome.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Denise! Blessings to you!
Laurie

pinks said...

Tracy! I'm sorry, I'm invading on your post, but your comment caught me too! "Timely" I'm a week late, but right on time! I loved this. The scripture references, beautiful!!! "For those who hear, believe, and act upong The Word are cleansed from sin." I heard Him here. <3 Thank you.

Kendra

Mommy Emily said...

there is such power in his Word, if we would only listen. a timely reminder, laurie. thank YOU for listening to him, and sharing with us.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Emily,
Your encouragement is such a blessing to me. You are a beautiful spirit.
God bless,
Laurie

Joan Hall said...

It's so important to listen for that still small voice.

Very inspiring post, Laurie.

Blessings,
Joan

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Joan,
Amen! May we always hear, believe and do when He speaks. Thank you so much for your kind comment.
May you have a blessed week!
Laurie