In today's reading, I enjoyed looking again at the story of 2 Chronicles 5 as Solomon dedicates the temple to God and how God's glory fills the temple as they praise His name...
However, for today's take-away thought, I'm going to focus specifically on a thought from Galatians 5. Galatians 5:22 is a very well known passage as it talks about the fruit of the Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
However, it's what comes before Galatians 5:22 that really jumped out at me today... it's Gal. 5:15, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Obviously those in Galatia had a problem with biting one another... probably not with their actual teeth, but with their bitter and hurtful words! Ouch!
Here's the background on why Paul thought it necessary to give these surprising words, followed by the appeal to have the fruit of the spirit:
False teachers had brought to the Galatians doctrines that were opposed to the gospel of Christ. Paul sought to expose and correct these errors. He greatly desired that the false teachers might be separated from the church, but their influence had affected so many of the believers that it seemed hazardous to take action against them. There was danger of causing strife and division which would be ruinous to the spiritual interests of the church. He therefore sought to impress upon his brethren the importance of trying to help one another in love. He declared that all the requirements of the law setting forth our duty to our fellow men are fulfilled in love to one another. He warned them that if they indulged hatred and strife, dividing into parties, and like the brutes biting and devouring one another, they would bring upon themselves present unhappiness and future ruin. There was but one way to prevent these terrible evils and that was, as the apostle enjoined upon them, to “walk in the Spirit.” They must by constant prayer seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which would lead them to love and unity.
A house divided against itself cannot stand. When Christians contend, Satan comes in to take control. How often has he succeeded in destroying the peace and harmony of churches. What fierce controversies, what bitterness, what hatred, has a very little matter started! What hopes have been blasted, how many families have been rent asunder by discord and contention! (5th Testimonies, p. 243-244)I don't think we as Christians really recognize the power of our words and actions, and the fires and destruction that often results by the unChristlike ways we live and act, WHILE PROFESSING TO BE CHRISTIANS! The problem the Church of Galatia had happening was not unique to their day. It's a very real issue today as well. It's an issue that is causing many people to leave the church...
I'm reminded of James 3:5-8: "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
No man can tame the tongue the Bible says... but... let me remind us all, God can! That's why we need to pray for Him to give us victory in this area of our lives...
Oh Lord, help us to speak in love and act in humility. Even if we disagree with others, we don't have to be disagreeable. We don't have to bite and devour one another... Dear heavenly Father, change our hearts. Give us a new heart from which good things will flow. This spirit is of pride and contention that is so often seen even in our church today is NOT from God but from the enemy. Teach us what it means to guard our tongue. Teach us what it means to be vegetarians in our speech and love!
[Greetings from Rome Italy! Just arrived last night. So excited to be here in Rome to begin the Reformation tour with Weimar College group! We will be here in Rome three days I think, and then begin our journey on thru Italy, France, Switzerland, and end with Germany. It's a two week tour. I've wanted to do this tour for years, so I'm so thrilled that God worked it out for me to join this year.]
Tomorrow's Reading: 2 Chron. 6-7 and Galatians 6
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