PREACH GOD’S WORD, NOT YOUR WORDS
Suppose your wife is very sick and asked you to take her to the doctor so you did so. But before the doctor can check her, you tell the doctor what is wrong and what needs to be done. Each time the doctor tries to give advice you ignore him and instead say what you think. You never let the doctor say what he wants. Finally, he gets tired of wasting his time and goes to see another patient so you take your wife home in the same condition she was in when you came. That would be very foolish, wouldn’t it? She was in the presence of a physician who could help her, but you never let him speak to her.
Yet that is what happens when pastors or teachers give their opinions and not what God says in His Word. People need to hear from God, not from us. Hurting people come to church for hope and help. God is present. All we need to do is open His Word and let Him speak to them through it. But when we just give our opinions, thoughts, ideas and suggestions we don’t let God’s Word minister to them. Some pastors speak about political issues; others talk about topics of interest to them. Other speakers talk about themselves and what they have done.
Our words are powerless, God’s Words have His power behind them. That’s why quoting Scripture to resist Satan and temptation is so important. Only the truth of the Bible counters lies with the truth. Praying Scripture is more effective than trying to think of our own words.
A good speaker may be able to entertain, to motivate, to bring guilt or to inspire others by their speaking ability or creativity, but true heart change only comes through the Holy Spirit applying the Word of God to the hearts and lives of those who are open to His truth. Change does not come from our skillful words but from the power of Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Before your speak next time, ask yourself, “Do I clearly understand what the writer of the passage for today is saying?” “Does what I have to say help make the message of the passage clear or do I bring in other things not in the passage?” “Do I clearly apply the main points of my passage to the lives of the people listening?” (August 7, 2023 Doylestown, PA)
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (1 Timothy 4:2).
Are you ever guilty of focusing more on what you thought than what God said?
Ask God to help you always lift up Jesus, not yourself.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2023