Talk the Talk Oct 22

Many times, the problems with peace are greater than the problems with war. People always say I will do better, but they never do better. They have no power within them to do better until they come to Christ. Billy Graham

The following two sermons will be about ‘talking the talk’ and ‘walking the walk’. Today we will discuss ‘talking the talk.’

Before Talking comes reading, praying, and listening; why do you think most people don’t attend church? The other person may answer something, usually including why they don’t go if they don’t ask them why they don’t. Answers will be widely variable. Suppose they say that there is no God. Ask them about their worldview. Or switch it around. Worldview, then don’t go to church. The worldview question should bring out some creator function that you may call God; you may be able to tell your story of How God saved you.

Long before the words of the Bible were written, God’s communication through the spoken word rang out loud and clear. Jesus, in particular, commissioned representatives to speak on his behalf even during his earthly ministry. And yet, today, we are a reading culture. It is easy for modern Christians to take for granted that the Bible was handed down in written form, but the way we receive God’s message is far different from how the original hearers would have heard it. These differences not only shape the way that we hear God’s message to his people, but they put us at risk of misunderstanding his revelation. misunderstanding his revelation.

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this; you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. Mathew 12:35 - 37

But the distinction in all probability was important to Jesus, who earlier had objected to the scribal epithet “son of David,” because it inadequately defined the Messiah (see Comment on 12:35–37). Jesus will qualify his messianic self-definition in his reply.

Craig A. Evans

Let’s pray for good things from the treasury of your good heart. Talk to people! Over the last couple of years, I feel as though people are more reticent, so they don’t mind talking but don’t do it. But when you listen to them you may hear that they enjoy communicating.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:19–21 NLT

It seems that James is telling us to get right with God, too! I cannot imagine that you want to be a hypocrite. Saying one thing and doing another.

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James1:26 NLT

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. James 4:11 NLT

Peter has another view. He would like you not to be afraid to approach people. Remember to be humble and gentle.

Who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then, if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 1 Peter 3:13–17 NLT

Once again, Paul is telling us to get right with God and get along with one another.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31–32

Long ago, David thought people were bad-mouthing others and lying to one another. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:11–14. NLT

As you go through your day, “What a good day the Lord has made! Isn’t it great to be alive and in Sioux City! Have a glorious day! Wow, would you look at that!” Pray to the Lord to be more conversant. To be better at talking with others. To humble yourself.

St. Francis De Sales died on 28 December 1622. In his book ‘An Introduction to the Devout Life’, Page 188

Let your speech be meek, frank, open, and sincere, without the least mixture of equivocation, artifice, or dissimulation, for although it may not be advisable to tell all that is true, it is never allowable to speak against the truth. Accustom yourself, therefore, never to tell a deliberate lie, either by way of excuse or otherwise, remembering always that God is the God of truth. Should you tell a lie unawares and fail not to correct it on the spot by some explanation or reparation, an honest excuse has always more grace and force to bear one harmless than a lie.

Though one may sometimes prudently disguise the truth by some artifice of words, yet it must never be done but when the glory and service of God manifestly require it; in any other case, such artifices are dangerous. “Thy Holy Spirit will have nothing to do with the deceitful.” (Wisd. 1) No artifice is so good and desirable as plain dealing: worldly prudence or artifice belongs to the children of the world, but the children of God walk uprightly, and their hearts are without guile. “He that walketh sincerely,” says the wise man, “walketh confidently” (Prov. 10:9). Lying, double-dealing, and dissimulation are always signs of a weak and mean spirit. St. Augustine said, in the Fourth Book of his Confessions: “That his soul and that of his friend were but one soul; and that he had a horror of his life after the death of his friend because he was not willing to live by halves; and yet that, for the same cause he was unwilling to die, lest his friend should die wholly.” These words seemed to him afterward so artificial and affected that he recalled them and censured them in his Book of Retractations. Observe, Philothea, the tenderness of that holy soul with respect to the least artifice in his words. Fidelity, plainness, and sincerity of speech are the greatest ornaments of a Christian life. “I will take heed,” says David, “of my ways, that I offend not with my tongue” (Ps. 38); and again: “Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth, and a door round about my lips.” (Ps. 111) It was the advice of St. Louis, in order to avoid contention, not to contradict anyone in discourse unless it were either sinful or some great prejudice to acquiesce with him, but should it be necessary to contradict or oppose our own opinion to that of another, we must do it with such mildness and dexterity as not to exasperate his spirit, for nothing is ever gained by harshness and violence.

To speak little (a practice so much recommended by all wise men) is not to be understood that we should utter but few words but that we should not speak unprofitable words, for in speaking, the quantity should not be considered so much as the quality of the words; but, in my opinion, we ought to fly both extremes. To be too reserved and to refuse to join in conversation looks like disdain or a want of confidence; and, on the other hand, constant talking so that others are not afforded either leisure or opportunity to speak when they desire to do so is a mark of shallowness and levity.

St. Louis condemned whispering in the company, and particularly at the table, lest it should give others occasion to suspect that some evil was spoken of them. He said: “He that is at the table, in good company, and has something to say that is merry and pleasant, should speak it so that all the company may hear him, but if it be a thing of importance, let him keep silent.”

25  We cannot vex the devil more than by teaching, preaching, singing and talking of Jesus.

Martin Luther

Table Talk (16th century)

29    You can always tell when a man is a great way from God—he is always talking about himself, and how good he is.

Best Thoughts and Discourses of D. L. Moody (1876)

Dwight L. Moody

Last month I gave a number of examples of failing families due to no Jesus. How do you feel about that? Would you talk to your kids or siblings? Do you think you should?

Name all the faith practices that do not promote themselves.

There’s a kind of religious practice without any inward experience which is of no account in the sight of God. It is good for nothing.

Jonathan Edwards