God's Ways
Pastor Jerry Wilhite,
author In this study one of the things you will learn is that the ways of the world are not the ways of God. 2 Timothy 2 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. What was the last thing in verse 20? It was dishonor. What happens based on verse 21 if anyone purges his or herself of dishonor? They are then a vessel of honor. In so many words we make ourselves into vessels of honor or dishonor by the words of our mouth that start as thoughts in our mind. The sad thing is that some use the above verses to try to prove their point on predestination, that some of us are predestined for honor and others for dishonor. The shame is in most cases like this, if they had read on, they would have discovered that it was not God that predestined some to honor and some to dishonor. We do it to ourselves and can blame no one but ourselves. How it reads in the Literal: 21. |1437| If, |3767| therefore, |5100| any |1571| cleanses |1438| himself |0575| from |5130| these, |2071| he will |4632| be a container |1519| to |5092| honor, |0037| having been sanctified, |2532| and |2173| useful |3588| to the |1203| master, |1519| to |3956| every |2041| work |0018| good |2090| having been prepared. 2 Timothy 2 22. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Those who are unclean or vessels of dishonor are so due to an unclean heart, not because of anything God did, but what the individual did. 2 Timothy 2 23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. We are not to allow differences to send us into strife or offense but into forgiveness, but most of all how to hold our tongue so we do not say anything that would cause strife. Those who would get into strife or offense do so out of a lack of maturity and those who know God, and operate in His love understand we are to do all we can to avoid causing anyone from entering into strife. Whenever anyone wants to start an argument or debate with me on the word I walk away. That’s not because they are right or wrong or I am or I can not back up what I believe, but because I have learned that to enter an argument or debate, it gets no one, except Satan, anywhere. James 3 2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6. 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. 7. 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: 8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. The entire point of James here is how from such a small part of the body as the tongue comes such destruction for both those it is aimed at and those who use their tongue. Matthew 12 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. The word idle above means any words that do not come from the knowledge of God. So all we speak that is not of the truth of God we will have to give an account for in the day of judgement. Matthew 12 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. So many believe if they live a good life, that is what it is all about. In so many words they do no wrong to others. But what some miss is that words can do more damage than most action and it lasts longer. Do not believe the lie of Satan, "Stick and stones may break my bones but words can never harm me" because words harm worse than any stick or stone. Ask a child who has been abused verbally and physically which one lasts the longest, especially when it is a parent abusing them. Galatians 5 18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. All of the works listed above start as thoughts. As long as your mind is renewed daily, not just in His written word but in Him, we are not conforming to the world but to Him. Romans 12 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. So to get to His acceptable and perfect will we have to get control over our thoughts and our tongue. To control our tongue we must control our thoughts and will. 2 Corinthians 10 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; There are only two sources for thought. One is by force; that is the world (Satan). The other is God, which we must seek. Why must we seek His and Satan’s are forced on us? That’s because God does not ever force anything on anyone but is always ready to help any and all who seek Him. He is the perfect gentleman where Satan is like a rapist. Galatians 5 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. As you seek God and His thoughts and ways you manifest the fruit of the Spirit in you. John 4