THE STORYLINE NEEDS TO CHANGE

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

THE STORYLINE NEEDS TO CHANGE

By Linda A. Knowles

“Without wood, a fire goes out;

without gossip, a conflict ceases.

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire,

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels

that go down into the inmost being.”

Proverbs 26:20-22 (Berean Study Bible)

The storyline hasn’t changed even after all these years. I watched it growing up. The storyline goes like this: Mary gossiped to Ella. Ella didn’t stand up to Mary and chose to listen to the gossip. Daphne heard the gossip Mary was telling Ella, and Daphne told Joe and Elsie who then whispered to Myron then Maria then Julie then Victor. Mary made she sure spoke to everyone Daphne spoke to so she could make sure they had all the details and “correct information.” One person after another heard the gossip, either shared the gossip, participated in the gossip, or just remained silent as the gossiping was going on. Florrie, who was the object of the gossip, was unable to recover her reputation from all the lies the gossipers said. She ended up leaving the church, never to be heard from that church again. Florrie left the church completely disheartened, discouraged, and extremely hurt; the End.

Does betrayal happen in the church from one member of the body of Christ to another member of the body of Christ? Absolutely. The storyline I told above is an all too familiar storyline that still saturates the church today. Gossip doesn’t just happen within the walls of the place of worship, but members of the Body of Christ will sit down over a cup of coffee at another’s house or at a cafe.

Proverbs 18:22 & 26:22 both echo the same words, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.” Gossip has a way of seeping into your spirit, your heart, your mind, and your soul. If you allow yourself to listen to gossip about a person, you will see that person not as he/she is, but you will see them in the light of the gossip you told or entertained.

Lies are always soon exposed according to the book of Proverbs. Truth will always stand the test of time. Whether gossip is all lies or all truth or part true and part lies, gossip just like lying is a sin. The Apostle Paul even addressed this, “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds,” Colossians 3:9. We must remember we are not controlled by our fleshly desires. We are controlled by the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth. According to Romans 8:12, we are under no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do. As children of the Most High God, we must understand that our Heavenly Father is the God of Truth and His language is Truth. Therefore, His children should speak the language of truth, not lies.

May I encourage you not to participate in conversations that will tear someone apart? Do not allow yourselves to engage in conversations that will disrupt the unity amongst the believers within the Body of Christ. Remember always your words will either portray or betray who you are.

Heavenly Father, You are the God of Truth. Help me to always speak truth as You do. Give me the words I need to speak. Fill me with the wisdom and understanding that comes from You alone. Give me the strength and help me to walk away from conversations that will compromise my character and my witness. Help me to stand up for what is right and what is true. Your approval is the only approval I need to gain. I give You all the glory, the honor, and the praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Standing Before God Matters

Posted on by Dr. Linda Agnes Knowles

HOLY FIRE 1

Our standing before God matters. Either we are hot or we are cold.  If we’re lukewarm, God will spit us out of His mouth. The Word of God states, in Revelation 3:15-16(BSB), “I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of My mouth!”

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Have you ever had a lukewarm drink? It’s not pleasant. It tastes horrible, and like a lukewarm drink was the Church of Laodicea in the mouth of God. The Church of Laodicea was made up of nominal believers. They were self-satisfied and self-reliant, hardened in heart, and didn’t stand up for anything. They were so content with their possessions, having all they wanted, they did not realize they were spiritually bankrupt as we are shown in Revelation 3:17(NLT), where Jesus said to the Church, “And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,” (Revelation 3:17NLT).
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This is not a position any of us want to be in before God.
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REFLECTION: “So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference,” (Revelation 3:18-19NLT). This is the counsel of Jesus Christ to the Church of Laodicea, but it is very much for you today. The purpose of the Lord’s discipline is to turn you back to Him, the only one in whom salvation can be found. If you are finding yourself lukewarm in your devotion to God, then draw close to Him through repentance and confession. Don’t wait. Be washed and cleansed through the reading and study of His Word. Consecrate yourself to Him in both service and worship, and answer His call to you. Let Him restore you. “‘Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches,'” (Revelation 3:20-22NLT).

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PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, salvation is found in no other. Only You are able to restore and make a person whole. Father, I’m sorry for compromising Your Word and for being indifferent to the things of God. I’m sorry for relying on my own self-sufficiency. Father, I ask You to forgive me, and wash me clean.  Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, O God, and restore me as only You can do.  Father, I give myself fully to You, to live for You and to honor You.  May I seek out Your ways, and may I always stand for the Truth of Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles
“Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him.'” -John 14:23(BSB)