Christians Character; Your Attitude Toward God

Christian Character

Ecclesiastes 5:1–9 NASB95

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land.

I. Your approach to worship (V. 1).

A. God cares about the way we come to Him.

Exodus 3:5 NASB95

Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

We are not at liberty in calling upon God to follow the suggestions of our own mind and will, but must seek God only in so far as he has invited us to approach him.

John Calvin

Exodus 30:18–20 NASB95

“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it. “Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord.

II. Hasty words and thoughts (V. 2).

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:

Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

—Shakespeare, Hamlet

William Shakespeare

III. (Vv. 3, 7).