Bible Studies

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The tongue being a very small member is probably the most powerful member of all! With it, wounds can be inflicted to the heart and spirit, which may never heal. Remember the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?” Well, I am sure most of us realize by this time, that statement is totally false. Bruises to the body, unless fatal, can heal; however sometimes things that are said to us may leave such deep hurts that only God Himself can bring healing. I remember attending a church where the pastor did not believe in women wearing make-up. Meeting after meeting he would make derogatory remarks, with his eyes fastened right on me because I just happened to wear make-up. One service I had all that I could take, and stood and addressed him with these words, “Pastor, my wearing make-up is not going to affect your salvation one way or the other, but what you say to me, may affect me for the rest of my life.

You see, God had never convicted me for wearing make-up! If He had I would have never worn it. One day I was standing before the mirror putting on my make-up and talking to God, as I often do. I said, “I am so tired of being put down for wearing make-up, please let me know what I should do?” Immediately, God spoke to my heart and said, “Sharon I don’t look at your face, I look at your heart.” You see, I was not wearing make-up to chase after men, etc. I was simply wearing it to feel better about myself. Perhaps had I been in that profession where women wear make-up to allure men, it might have been a different story, but I was not! God is my judge, the same as He is yours, and it is to Him, whether we shall fall or stand. He says that He is able to make us stand, and I believe that for each one of us. I believe that our convictions are a personal thing between God and us. Each one of us is different and I believe therefore, that He deals with us on an individual basis. The word says He fashions our hearts individually.

Often I would hear this Scripture being preached, “1 Peter 3:3—Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel; Oddly enough, I do not see make-up mentioned here, but it always seemed to be used to make that point. If that were the case, one could come back and say, “Don’t let the fact of not doing these things be your sign of beauty either! I admire women immensely, who do not wear make-up as their way of showing respect to God. I have even heard pastor’s take the other route, and make unpleasant remarks about women who do not wear make-up. I think that is very disrespectful. That is between them and God, and somehow I have a feeling that God is going to be more displeased with the remark, than with the make-up!

Oddly enough, these Scriptures appear in the book of Esther! Esther 2:9—Now the young woman (Esther) pleased him, (the king) and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave BEAUTY PREPARATIONS to her, besides her allowance. (12) Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes AND PREPARATIONS FOR BEAUTIFYING WOMEN.

I find this next Scripture regarding this issue very interesting! Jeremiah 2:33—Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number. (33) “WHY DO YOU BEAUTIFY YOUR WAY TO SEEK LOVE? THEREFORE YOU HAVE ALSO TAUGHT THE WICKED WOMEN YOUR WAYS.” So who was beautifying themselves first, God’s women, or the women of the world?

We will see in the book of Ezekiel, that it is not the beauty preparations that God has a problem with, but how they affect a person, or here in this case Jerusalem. Ezekiel 16:8—“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God. (9) “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. (10) “I clothed you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. (12) “And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. (13) “Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty. (14) “Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect THROUGH MY SPLENDOR which I HAD BESTOWED on you,” says the Lord God. (15) “But you trusted in YOUR OWN BEAUTY, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it.” So you see it is truly a matter of the heart that is important concerning this matter.

If we want to walk in unity with God and not become all puffed up, or condemned by the tradition of men, then it is imperative that we seek God to try and find out the truth concerning these issues. There is some very good advice regarding this very thing found in the book of Colossians! Colossians 2:8—Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

James 5:9—Do not grumble against one another brethren, lest you be condemned. BEHOLD THE JUDGE IS STANDING AT THE DOOR!

Matthew 7:1—Judge not, that you be not judged (2) “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye? (5) “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

If we really want to make God mad, all we have to do is to have a HOLIER THAN THOU ATTITUDE! Isaiah 65:5—“And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; (5) Who say, ‘KEEP TO YOURSELF, Do not come near me, FOR I AM HOLIER THAN YOU!” These are smoke in My nostrils, A FIRE THAT BURNS ALL THE DAY. Somehow I don’t think this is the way that we want to go! If we do so, we certainly are not following Christ. John 12:47—“And if anyone hears My words AND DOES NOT BELIEVE, I DO NOT JUDGE HIM; For I DID NOT COME TO JUDGE the world but TO SAVE the world.” The Father DOES NOT JUDGE in this way either. John 5:22—FOR THE FATHER JUDGES NO ONE, but has committed ALL JUDGMENT to the Son.” Who are we following then? OOPS!

Romans 2:1—Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are WHO JUDGE, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (2) But we know that the JUDGMENT OF GOD IS ACCORDING TO TRUTH against those who practice such things. (3) And do you think this, O man, you WHO JUDGE those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (4) Or do you despise the riches of HIS GOODNESS, FOREBEARANCE, AND LONG-SUFFERING, not knowing that THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS YOU TO REPENTANCE?

Romans 14:14—I know AND AM CONVINCED BY THE LORD JESUS that there
Is nothing unclean of itself; BUT TO HIM WHO CONSIDERS ANYTHING TO BE UNCLEAN, TO HIM IT IS UNCLEAN. (15) Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

Now we on FaithWriters often have a very diversified opinion of what we believe, and that is all well and good! I know that my opinion quite often differs from the norm. That does not mean that we should judge one another and devour one another. The word says, “1 Corin. 4:4—For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; BUT HE WHO JUDGES ME IS THE LORD. (5) Therefore JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, who will both bring to light THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS and REVEAL THE COUNSELS OF THE HEARTS. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Here is an interesting thought concerning judgment! If the Father judges no one, (John 5:22) and if Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save the world! Then who is going to judge? (John 12:47) What we are going to read next almost seems like a contradiction of Scripture!

1 Corinthians 6:2—Do you not know that THE SAINTS WILL JUDGE THE WORLD? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (3) Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things THAT PERTAIN TO THIS LIFE? (4) If then you have judgment concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? (5) I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, NOT EVEN ONE, WHO WILL BE ABLE TO JUDGE BETWEEN HIS BRETHREN?

There is an answer to this question found in, “2 Corin. 5:14—For THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINS US, BECAUSE WE JUDGE THUS: that if one died FOR ALL, THEN ALL DIED; (15) and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer FOR THEMSELVES, but for him who died for them and rose again. (16) Therefore, from now on, WE REGARD NO ONE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. (17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; (we need to start seeing mankind as a new creation, created in Christ!) old things have passed away behold, all things have BECOME NEW. (18) NOW ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD, who has RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF through Jesus Christ, AND HAS GIVEN US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, (19) That is, that God was in Christ RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF, NOT IMPPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM, and has committed to us THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION.” Now we are no longer binding man to condemnation, but rather loosing him to the mercy of God. Romans 9:15—For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOMEVER I WILL HAVE MERCY, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” (16) “SO THEN IT IS NOT OF HIM WHO WILLS, NOR OF HIM WHO RUNS, BUT OF GOD WHO SHOWS MERCY.”

Romans 5:8—But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. (9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. (10) For if WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, having been reconciled, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. (11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE RECONCILIATION.

Colossians 1:19—For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (20) AND BY HIM TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS TO HIMSELF, by Him, WHETHER THINGS ON EARTH OR THINGS IN HEAVEN, having made peace, through the blood of His cross. (21) And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now HE HAS RECONCILED (22) in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and BLAMELESS, and IRREPROACHABLE IN HIS SIGHT--

1 corin. 11:3—But I want you to know that THE HEAD OF EVERY MAN IS CHRIST, (Remember He died in the place of every man?) (Hebrews 2:9—But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for THE SUFFERING OF DEATH crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God, MIGHT TASTE DEATH FOR EVERYONE.”) the head of woman is man, AND THE HEAD OF CHRIST IS GOD. Remember Jesus said, “’for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink: (43) I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not cloth Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. (44) “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?” (45) “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’

1 Timothy 2:1—Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who desires ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. (5) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, (6) WHO GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time, (7) for which I (Paul) was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I AM SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN CHRIST and not lying—A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES IN FAITH AND TRUTH.

In conclusion: Psalm 149:5—Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. (6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a TWO-EDGED SWORD in their hand, (7) To execute VENGEANCE ON THE NATIONS, and punishments on the peoples; (8) To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of Iron; (9) TO EXECUTE ON THEM THE WRITTEN JUDGMENT—THIS HONOR HAVE ALL HIS SAINTS.”

2 Corin. 5:14—For the love of Christ constrains us, because WE JUDGE THUS: that if One died for all, then ALL DIED; (15) and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and ROSE AGAIN. (16) Therefore, from now on, we REGARD NO ONE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh , yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Acts 10:28—Then he (Peter) said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. BUT GOD HAS SHOWN ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY MAN COMMON OR UNCLEAN.

James 3:5—Even so THE TONGUE is a little member and boasts great things. See HOW GREAT A FOREST A LITTLE FIRE KINDLES! (6) And the tongue IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF INIQUITY. The tongue is so set among our members THAT IT DEFILES THE WHOLE BODY, and SETS ON FIRE THE COURSE OF NATURE; and IT IS SET ON FIRE BY HELL. (7) For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. (8) But no man can tame the tongue. IT IS AN UNRULY EVIL, full of deadly poison. (9) With it we bless our God and Father, and WITH IT WE CURSE MEN,

It is interesting to view these Scriptures in the book of 2 Peter in the light of the ones that we just read! (NKJV) 2 Peter 3:7—But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the word reserved FOR FIRE UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGMENT and perdition of ungodly men. (8) But, beloved, do not FORGET THIS ONE THING, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.

Now it is interesting to note here that the NKJV of the Bible states, “But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the word reserved FOR FIRE UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. (It is very important to note that it is not saying after the day of judgment!) Remember we just read that the tongue IS A FIRE AND SETS ON FIRE THE COURSE OF NATURE; AND IT IS SET ON FIRE BY HELL. Deut. The World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary defines the word, “until” up to the time of: Romans 5:18—Therefore, as through one man’s offense JUDGMENT CAME TO ALL MEN, resulting IN CONDEMNATION, even so through one Man’s righteous act THE FREE GIFT came TO ALL MEN, resulting in JUSTIFICATION OF LIFE.

Returning to James 3:8—But no man can tame the tongue, It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (9) With it we bless our God and Father, and with it WE CURSE MEN, who have been made in THE SIMILITUDE OF GOD. (10) OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEED BLESSING AND CURSING. MY BRETHREN, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT TO BE SO. (11) Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? (12) Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?THUS NO SPRING CAN YIELD BOTH SALT WATER AND FRESH. Proverbs 18:21—DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE, and those who love it will eat ITS FRUIT.

James 5:7—Therefore be patient, brethren, UNTIL THE COMING OF THE LORD, See how the farmer waits FOR THE PRECIOUS FRUIT OF THE EARTH, WAITING PATIENTLY FOR IT UNTIL IT RECEIVES THE EARLY AND LATTER RAIN. (8) You also be patient. ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (9) DO NOT GRUMBLE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER BRETHREN, LEST YOU BE CONDEMNED.

“BEHOLD THE JUDGE IS STANDING AT THE DOOR!”

James 2:13—FOR JUDGMENT is without mercy to the one who has SHOWN NO MERCY. “MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT.”

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