God (Blank) America

You fill in the blank. God (blank) America. There’s not much sitting on the fence with this phrase, is there? We can choose to turn it into something good or something bad. But can something good become bad? Certainly. Even if we insert the word “Bless” here, it can lose its meaning and become just another catchphrase. We certainly hear politicians use it a lot, don’t we? In Exodus 7, God instructs us to not use His name in vain (the NIV uses the word “misuse”). Using His name flippantly, in my opinion, is misusing it. Needless to say of course, if we use His Holy Name as an expletive, we have certainly misused it. What else does He say about it? If we use it carelessly, in vain, He will not hold us guiltless. This is an obvious example of “the wrong language”. Using this phrase in the wrong way generally hits us between the eyes like a 2X4.

But what about other words we hear in society? Sure, there are plenty of four-letter words that are profane, vulgar, or obscene. But where do we draw the line? Which ones should we use? Which ones shouldn’t we use? I ask this because I believe we are beginning to see an alarming trend in the church today. The yeast of this world is slowly creeping into and corrupting the church more and more. I hear people who confess to being Christians choosing to use words of a worldly vernacular as opposed to a Godly one.

I was shocked at my first exposure to a friend who used curse words. My shock was followed by a period of dismay as I heard more people use language that is, frankly, unbecoming of the Body of Christ. But I realized I’m a member of the Body of Christ, and I sense something isn’t right. And as a member of the Body, for the health of the Body, I feel it is my duty to bring the issue to the attention of the Body. I guess that means you, if you are a Believer.

The first thing I realized as I began to seek the Lord about this was that everyone has their own walk with God. My walk is not your walk. The path that the Lord has me on is not the exact same path he has you on. Therefore, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, ups and downs, travesties and triumphs, and we are all undergoing His restoration as He sees fit, not as you or I see fit. God is working in each one of our lives independently of everyone else. I will not stand before the Throne for you, nor will you do so for me.

So I posed the issue to the Lord, as to how to even breach the subject with the rest of the Body. In my flesh, I’d like to provide you a list of words that offend me, that I think you shouldn’t use. Of course, this list would produce a healthy dose of emotions including feelings of condemnation and anger. Not to mention the fact that since I’m not perfect, I would be a hypocrite in doing so! Thankfully that is not what the Lord laid upon me. What I received from Him were questions and scriptures, which I share with you now.

How do we determine whether our words are commensurate with the office we hold as ambassadors for Christ? Do we have any misgivings when using certain words? Do we have a check in our spirit about them? Do we have any hesitation in using them? If we do, this might very well be the Holy Spirit communicating His displeasure with us.

Do we notice any adverse reaction (spoken or otherwise) in others when we use certain words? Does the “air”, the spiritual atmosphere around us, change when we use certain words? If we notice anything, it could be the words we are using are offensive to the other person’s spirit.

Do our words comply with Ephesians 4:29 (“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (KJV))?

What vernacular do our words come from? Are they worldly, or do we choose to deliberately steer clear of words that might discredit Christ?

Do our words convey to others that we have chosen to live our lives differently, in a way that is holy and pleasing to God “14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” “17 Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17a (NIV))?

Do our words and actions discredit or honor God (see Romans 2:17-24)?

Are we offering the parts of our bodies to Him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13)?

I hope you have not received condemnation through these words. Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! But I hope your eyes have been opened to something going on, perhaps in your own life, which is degrading the Kingdom of God here on the earth. I hope you will ponder these questions, as I have pondered them, and will continue to do so. Our sanctification is God’s will. He desires to pour out unto all mankind His Goodness. We may be the only Jesus, the only Light others will ever know. And anything but pure light in the eyes of the unbelieving can have a detrimental effect on God’s Kingdom. Sure, He can overcome it, but I for one want to be able to present Him as pure and undefiled to the world.

I hope you’ll join with me in pondering the condition of the Body of Christ, and how our actions affect it. Don’t fret when we blow it. Simply repent, even in the eyes of the world. Let them know that the God you serve is a just and forgiving God. We should admit it when we blow it, even with others around. The weight of this witness is enough to overcome any error we might make because we acknowledge our faults and lift up His Holy standard.

Confronting the Storm

While worshipping recently, the Lord spoke to my heart and said that no matter what happens in the future, there are two things that man cannot take; my worshipful heart, and His word that is stored within me. I was reminded of Paul and Silas when they were in prison. I looked up the scripture (Acts 16:25) and realized that prayer is yet another thing man is unable to take. Paul and Silas had been stripped and beaten, then thrown into prison. Yet in the midst of their trouble they prayed and sang hymns to God. Guess what? The prisoners were listening to them. Paul and Silas were witnessing to the prisoners by their actions, in the midst of persecution.

I believe a day is coming in America that man will not put up with sound doctrine but will instead choose to persecute those who speak the Truth. Jesus said to “beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues” (Matthew 10:17, NKJV). A look at what is happening in other countries is a look into the future for America.

No matter how bad it gets, no matter what man may do to our bodies, man can never take our relationship with God away. We can always pray, praise, and meditate on His word, and through these persevere our trials. No one has the ability to keep us from them. Our success in times of trouble depends on our preparations here and now. Only with God will we be able to weather the storms of life. And when we rely on and worship God as Paul and Silas did, we can expect great things to happen!