Warning! This is all real.

[Amos_with_goats]

Matthew 12:35-36
³⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. ³⁶ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Please know that I post this for all (myself included).

There are many 'pitfalls' to posting on the internet. We can sit behind out keyboards, and fall into habits because of our 'anonymity'. Things we might say, or never say, in "real life" can come easily off our fingertips.

These words we type MATTER. They are as real as what we speak.

Brothers and sisters, please never forget this... if we LOVE one another as we are called to do by Christ, we do well to not only remind one another but to remember ourselves.

If we call a lie the truth, we are accountable. If we call a lie a lie, and do so without love... we are accountable.

Let us remember, and let us pray for one another.

Blessings to all.

[Fenris]

Who is the man who desires life, who loves days to see goodness? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully. Shun evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.

-Psalms 34.

[Jeanne D]

Thanks for the reminder.

Jeanne

[divaD]

If we call a lie the truth, we are accountable. If we call a lie a lie, and do so without love... we are accountable.

Perhaps I'm not on the same page here, but if you're referring to what the Scriptures are saying overall, then I would think this is subject to interpretation. What one person may see as a lie, another person may see as the truth, and vice versa. IMO, the only way a person can be lying in the first place, the person would have to first know the truth then purposely twist it. But if one person interprets a Scripture this way, and another person that way, it doesn't necessarily have to mean anyone is necessarily lying, even if one or both are wrong in the end. Should God then hold us accountable for misunderstanding Scriptures? I guess in some cases..probably. Such as the Scriptures that clearly tell us whom His Son is, that He is the promised Messiah. But all Scriptures tho? Who correctly understands all Scriptures in the first place?

[Amos_with_goats]

The verses refer to the words we speak (and IMHO type).

Difference of opinion about scripture (truth) need not be sin.... but our motives can make them such.

Calling evil good? Impugning another person to strengthen out point? Selectively (knowingly) taking verses to support our view?

Allowing the world to choose out 'view'?

Whatever we say in anger, or from our flesh?

Not sure how this applies to you... probably as many variations as there are people (although the sin will be common).

My point is the same as (it seems to me) the Lord is saying.

We do well to remember that "for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment".

[We Are]

Perhaps I'm not on the same page here, but if you're referring to what the Scriptures are saying overall, then I would think this is subject to interpretation. What one person may see as a lie, another person may see as the truth, and vice versa. IMO, the only way a person can be lying in the first place, the person would have to first know the truth then purposely twist it. But if one person interprets a Scripture this way, and another person that way, it doesn't necessarily have to mean anyone is necessarily lying, even if one or both are wrong in the end. Should God then hold us accountable for misunderstanding Scriptures? I guess in some cases..probably. Such as the Scriptures that clearly tell us whom His Son is, that He is the promised Messiah. But all Scriptures tho? Who correctly understands all Scriptures in the first place?

I think it all has to do with the internal motives. As is written in 1 Corinthians 4:

5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.

I believe this "bringing to light what is hidden in darkness" will be an exposure that will surprise, more than any other, the individual self. For example, in the parable of the sheep and goats, we have the sheep not understanding why they are being rewarded, and the goats not understanding why they are being condemned.

This also relates to "cleaning the inside of the dish." Unless we dig really deep and and remain in a constant process of analyzing our motives for what we do and say, we can find ourselves falling into the trap of ego masking itself as what we think is humility. And when the Light comes and shines upon us all, I suspect we are all going to be far more preoccupied with what has been going on within our own selves than with looking around and seeing who all is being judged as a "sheep" or a "goat." This journey to the kingdom is an inward one, and all the answers are found there, as Christ is in us all.

Again, as the Christ speaks in Matthew 6:

If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Again, if we are not in a constant process of analyzing what is within our very selves, we can be easily deceived into thinking that we are spreading light, when in fact, it is darkness. Religion is the perfect vehicle for this type of deception to occur, as we have seen through the centuries how much blood has been shed "in the name of God." We must do our best to always be on guard that our motives are pure and selfless at all times.

This topic is a great reminder for us all.

[We Are]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR="#000080"]The verses refer to the words we speak (and IMHO type).

Difference of opinion about scripture (truth) need not be sin.... but our motives can make them such.

We both replied at the same time but I think we are pretty much on the same page.

[Noonzie]

i would agree that our motive has everything to do with it. Even good works can be considered sin if not done to glorify the LORD. Wow.. i think i just convicted myself.

Thanks for this post Amos. I really need to search my heart more.

[shepherdsword]

Concerning the OP....words of correction that are well received. It helps to remember that sometimes we can blunder into issues like a bull in a china shop and be unaware of the damage we cause. As for myself,I have to keep reminding myself to stay humble. I sometimes blunder around without even realizing I am walking in pride...not the Spirit.

[Firstfruits]

Matthew 12:35-36
³⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. ³⁶ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Please know that I post this for all (myself included).

There are many 'pitfalls' to posting on the internet. We can sit behind out keyboards, and fall into habits because of our 'anonymity'. Things we might say, or never say, in "real life" can come easily off our fingertips.

These words we type MATTER. They are as real as what we speak.

Brothers and sisters, please never forget this... if we LOVE one another as we are called to do by Christ, we do well to not only remind one another but to remember ourselves.

If we call a lie the truth, we are accountable. If we call a lie a lie, and do so without love... we are accountable.

Let us remember, and let us pray for one another.

Blessings to all.

God bless you AWG!!!!

Firstfruits

[notuptome]

James warns us that the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Jas 3:5-10

As we sojourn through the groves of idols we soon find that the golden calves have very sensitive toes. Step on them and they howl as if the heavens themselves shall fall.

For the cause of Christ
Roger