We need to handle God's Word with reverence and accuracy!

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren,

knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

James 3:1

This is the Word of God. It is what stands true.

Recently, I listened to a sermon that was...well...not really a 'sermon'. It was some experiences with Bible verses thrown in.

The definition of sermon:
a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture (www.dictionary.com).

A couple of years ago, I wanted to be a 'life coach'....before I even knew what it was and before, everyone and their mom was trying to be one. And it was because I truly had a burden for helping people reach their goals and be more.

Now after pursuing a Master degree in Christian Counseling and Leadership, I have a burden to help people get into the presence of the Lord so that HE CAN SHOW THEM WHAT HE DESIRES FOR THEIR LIFE....and IN HIS PRESENCE is where people will find the inspiration to seek out what they were made for, and where they will find the strength to pursue it.

In light of some awesome theological training, I see now that 'life coaching' truly urges people to become more and more self-sufficient.

 

On the contrary we need to be more dependent on the Lord! The anti-thesis of self-sufficiency!

I am relieved that I saw the light on this. See, it is the truth that sets people free.

NOT secular stuff with a couple of Bible verses or biblical principles in it. The accurate, unadulterated Word is what sets people free. (This is especially true for believers...and has the same potential for unbelievers as well!)

As I was reading today, I came across this verse in Matthew 15:7-9:
"You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN".

(Bolding mine...as it is people these days promoting their own precepts...their agenda...to quite frankly promote themselves.)

Can you believe that all week the burden of people mishandling the Word of God was on my heart...and then I 'randomly' came across this, this morning. I said to myself...this calls for a blog post.

Here's your exhortation: If you are going to present yourself as a man/woman of God and try to speak the Word of God, make sure you are handling it correctly, soundly, w/out sordid gain, and theologically accurately. Give people the Word that sets free!

I found myself  in a season of burdened, disgusted, frustrated, and angry at people who are misleading and manipulating people with what 'sounds' biblical/right on. And I had to bring myself back to James 3:1...they will be held by stricter judgment...so now I find myself praying "Lord have mercy on them for mishandling your Word"..."And Lord, protect the hearers/the audience, take authority over the deception and guide them to where Your truth is spoken"...."Shut the mouths of people who trying to self-promote for monetary gain"...."Let those whose hearts are not upright with intentions be removed". All this can get my 'justice button' pushed...but this is where I have to turn over the 'false brethren' over to the Lord and trust in His righteouness, faithfulness, and justice.

My exhortation is just to serve as a warning/admonishment...If you are going to quote the Word, do a little research and find the Greek and Hebrew definition of it and make sure what you are trying to make the Word say is what it really says.

Which by the way....Expositional teaching is great. And include exegesis. If you do not know what these words mean, google it...and/or enroll in a theological, hermeneutics class at your local Bible college. Let's be teachers of the true Word of God.

On a side note, because of these scriptures, I truly strive to make sure that when I share something it is biblically sound.

I knew a man who loved God so much...He used to quote this scripture all the time:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness...2 Timothy 3:16

Moreover, I live by:

Don't try to make the Word of God fit your life...but make your life fit the Word of God!

So share the precepts of GOD...not of man, not of relativism, not of empty philosophies, not of secular humanism....it's the precepts of God that truly can change people...and I can say this because why?

John 1:1-14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ^{2 [a]}He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. ⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not ^[b]comprehend it.

The Witness John

⁶ There ^[c]came a man sent from God, whose name was John. ^{7 [d]}He came ^[e]as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. ^{8 [f]}He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
⁹ There was the true Light ^[g]which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹¹ He came to His ^[h]own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were ^[i]born, not of ^[j]blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Made Flesh

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and ^[k]dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of ^[l]the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (taken from www.biblegateway.com)

See when we introduce people to the Word of God....we are introducing them to Jesus Christ...their Redeemer...the One who came to save them and set them free.

I hope on my headstone it reads when I die: "Here lies Jennifer Morin, a woman after God's heart and one who pointed people to Jesus!".

I don't want to go down in history of being whimsical or witty...I want to be known as someone who introduced people to Christ for the true, lasting change!

Let our words be like John the Baptist:
I must decrease, He must increase. John 3:30

Let us remember Paul's words:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6

When we do what God calls us to we cannot take credit for what God does...this is why we do not boast in our works....but boast in the Lord...

Meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³⁰ But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (Emphasis mine...)

What's great is when you give people the Word...lead them to Jesus...you release yourself of the results.

• Release the Word of God on people.
• Release people to the Lord for Him to move in their life and...
• Release yourself to joy and peace.