Introduction. When we break a glass in the kitchen or bathroom, we feel a need to pick up even the tiniest pieces. It is not at all unusual to see someone pick up large pieces, sweep up smaller pieces, vacuum up tiny pieces and then even mop the floor to get anything left behind. This is not excessive since we are often barefoot and don’t want a sliver of glass in our foot. No one scoffs at such caution, but considers such wisdom to be admirable.
God's Warnings. God has warned we need to do the same things with thoughts, words, and deeds since we will all “receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” This includes “every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” and a need to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Cor. 5:10; Mt. 12:36-37; 2Cor. 10:5).
God's Warnings. God has warned we need to do the same things with thoughts, words, and deeds since we will all “receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” This includes “every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” and a need to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Cor. 5:10; Mt. 12:36-37; 2Cor. 10:5).
If we applaud those who are careful with broken glass, we should be more impressed with those who do the same for their thoughts, words, and deeds. It is the only way to “be holy as He is holy” (1Pet. 1:14-16), “come out from among them, touch no unclean thing and be separate” (2Cor. 6:17), “be not conformed but transformed” (Rom. 12:2), and “prove all things... abstain from every form of evil” (1Th 5:22). “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous his thoughts” (Isa. 55:7), “make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14), and “let your words be few”. (Eccl. 5:2).
Applications. Just how meticulous are we with our thoughts, words, and deeds? Where do we draw the line? Do we seek to get as close as we can to the things God condemns without crossing the line we create in our own mind, or do we flee as far as we can from them? Check your heart for the following:
Conclusion. If we deal cautiously with broken glass in the kitchen, how will we escape God’s scrutiny of such things? Paul warned that some “will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, ... will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2Tim. 4:3-5). How do we feel about the sound doctrines above? If we scoff at them, we are under the delusion of fables. If we see it as the wisest course to be cautious, we are enduring the sound doctrine. While some want to push the envelope as far as they can, others flee as far away as possible from any and all forms of it. Which are you?
Applications. Just how meticulous are we with our thoughts, words, and deeds? Where do we draw the line? Do we seek to get as close as we can to the things God condemns without crossing the line we create in our own mind, or do we flee as far as we can from them? Check your heart for the following:
- While God condemns all covetousness (Lk. 12:15), some see the gambling created by it as innocent. Yet the motivation even to purchase a $1 lottery ticket is covetousness. Do we flee such things?
- Since drunkenness can only be created by drinking (Gal. 5:21; 1Pet. 4:3), do we refuse to drink or be around those who do?
- Since God condemns all sexual lust outside of marriage (Mt. 5:28; Gal. 5:19). Do we flee anything creating it including songs, shows, books, magazines, etc.
- Since every idle word will be assessed are we careful with our words? “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth,” including slander, gossip, or murmuring (Eph. 4:29).
Conclusion. If we deal cautiously with broken glass in the kitchen, how will we escape God’s scrutiny of such things? Paul warned that some “will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, ... will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2Tim. 4:3-5). How do we feel about the sound doctrines above? If we scoff at them, we are under the delusion of fables. If we see it as the wisest course to be cautious, we are enduring the sound doctrine. While some want to push the envelope as far as they can, others flee as far away as possible from any and all forms of it. Which are you?