Smooth Talk - Poison Heart

 

 

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters.  Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught.  Stay away from them.  Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests.  By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.  But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord.  This makes me very happy.  I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.  Romans 16:17-20

Apostle Paul could speak to the believers at Rome with confidence because his heart for them was filled with genuine love.  This is the same love that God had for all humanity, displayed on a cross at Golgotha, the town garbage dump of Jerusalem.  From the earliest moments of Jesus’ ministry people were either blessed or angered by the carpenter from Galilee.  Those who received his love told the truth about how their lives had changed; those who resisted his love told lies about Jesus then, and still do.  To the people at Rome, Paul had brought the message of God’s gospel of Jesus Christ.  The result was gladness in the hearts of those who heard with open hearts; the self-righteous powerful rulers responded with angry venom.  Jesus was crucified by that same kind of prideful human rebellion.

The apostle called those who were misleading innocent folks smooth talkers using glowing words….but having selfish motives…a poison heart.  That is, unfortunately, not a phenomenon confined to the first century.  Lies are everywhere in any era or community.  It began in the Garden of Eden, as the serpent smooth-talked Eve into the first bite of rebellion.  It continues today to write the tragedy of refusing godliness in favor of selfish gain.  You will see it in every walk of life; when there is something to be gained (money, power, prestige, or just some evil satisfaction), a clever lie will be the hinge upon which the door of deception swings.

A church I once served was without a music director.  Of all things, I (who cannot even carry someone else’s tune) was leading the singing.  A group of a dozen visitors showed up one Sunday morning.  After the service, Carl, a very distinguished-looking member of that crowd, invited me to visit him the next evening.  I showed up, and was treated to two hours of Carl lauding his musical talents – complete with solo and framed music course certificates.  The evening ended with Carl’s statement:  Preacher, me and those other families want to join your church…if you’ll make me the song leader.  I told him I thought he and those other folks would probably be happier in another church.  Now, I didn’t know the man from Adam’s housecat.  But I did know that anytime there’s an offer-with-an-if, you’re in the middle of a business transaction.  I needed a music director, but this was Mt. Temptation.  I later found out the man had split two other churches with his marvelous music.  His wrong reasons had plenty of sound right, (complete with certificates to prove it) – but they were still wrong reasons.  He cared nothing for the church he was so generously “offering” to serve – it was his agenda and pride that mattered to the song-man.

For You Today 

It’s not a genuine Christian trait to walk around in suspicion, expecting to hear a lie in every place.  On the other hand, we are to be wise, understanding there are plenty of lies told, and always with a motive to gain something for the smooth-talker.  The best way to defeat deception is to follow Jesus’ example…He got up early enough to spend quality time with His Father.  Go thou, and do likewise!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road library.

Title Image(s) courtesy of Pixabay.com                       

Images without citation are in public domain.  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©   

Be Strong in the Lord - Part 1

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Note; this week we are going to re-visit a series of devotions from 2016.  It’s not something we do often, but this series bears repeating during times of crisis. 

A final word:  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.           Ephesians 6:10-12

Paul is like the Old Testament prophets, Moses and Joshua.  He tells us to stand strong, and in the Lord’s power and might.   What kind of advice is that – and why do we need it? 

It is good advice, and we need it because the kinds of enemies we face are not the ones we can see, or engage in physical battle.   For the next several days, let’s inspect the armor God has provided for us to be protected and fight well in the battles of spiritual warfare.

Consider how difficult it is to fight the unseen even in nature:

Here’s to the chigger, the bug that’s no bigger

Than the end of a very small pin;

But the itch that he raises simply amazes,

And that’s where the rub comes in.

It’s important to learn to stand against both big and little things the devil throws in our pathway; God's people have always had to do so.  There are enough false things out there to trip up anyone who is not strong in the Lord; everything from cults to Satanists and other assorted lunatics. 

But, while there are all those spiritual traps Satan provides, there is also the reality that we are beings of the flesh as well.  Sometimes we are like Pogo -- We have met the enemy, and he is us! 

God knows us; He knows our frame, that we are dust.  And so, God provides protection, effective armor.  If we will take it, and put it to the intended use, we will be successful in waging spiritual warfare.

It’s wise to ask someone who is used to battle how to approach battle.  Joe Lewis was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.  He fought, 71 times; he lost only once.  During the fifteen years he held his title, he defended it 25 times.  Bill Stern, the voice of American sports on radio, decided toward the end of the Brown Bomber's career that he would interview him and find out the technique or the secret that Lewis used in fighting his opponents and how he could win over people who were at times much larger than he.  His answer was very simple, I study my opponent, I plan my fight very carefully.  The results are always the same – I’m never surprised and I stay on the offensive.  That's pretty good counsel for dealing with the devil. 

Satan wins many of his attacks and victories because he surprises us.  We continually live shocked.  The believer has no reason to be shocked, intimidated or surprised by the attack of the enemy – none whatsoever.  God has given us the armor and the battle plan to overcome his attacks.

Paul was chained 24 hours, 7 days-a-week to a Roman guard.  It is no wonder God used the imagery of armor and weapons to impress the apostle to warn us how to be strong in the Lord. 

We should never underestimate the enemy! 

Let’s Pray Together:

Father, we’re at a time – a particularly difficult time – where our culture is so unhinged with anger and it’s really hard to feel any kind of certainty about anything.  That is, except YOU.  Lord, You are our rock and shelter in storms, and our mighty power in all you call us to do.  We know we shouldn’t underestimate the enemy, but that is more manifestly true about YOUR power.  Help us to be strong in our LORD.

For You Today

In tomorrow’s devotion we will start getting dressed; we will begin with the belt.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today.  Have a blessed day!

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Title Image:  Pixabay.com  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

For other posts on God’s Armor:  Shield, Savior, Safety and Figuring It Out

Ready

Friday, April 24, 2020

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.  Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.  So you must live as God’s obedient children.  Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  You didn’t know any better then.  But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

It wasn’t long ago that I heard news of the passing of my 9^th grade English teacher, Joe Gulizio.  His students referred to him as Jumping Joe, because when it came time for the annual faculty vs. student basketball game, for a 5’9” guy, he could mix it up with the biggest and best of them.  He also had an amazingly accurate two-handed “set-shot”.   

For an English nerd he was quite the athlete.  Given my love of any sport where you could catch, kick, throw, hit, or bounce a ball, I admired Mr. Gulizio.  I also kind of feared being around him.  He made me do things like stand in front of the class to give a book report.  I once pretended to be sick for a whole week because I knew my turn was coming up.  In my weakened condition on the first day back, there was little mercy from behind the teacher’s throne; Mr. Brownworth, welcome back…you can now give your report.  It probably would’ve hurt less if it wasn’t for that smile silently bellowing, I’ve been in touch with your parents, you slacker…get up here and squirm.  I didn’t hate the book; actually, I loved it.  I just hated standing in front of people who were expecting me to talk.  My way of avoiding my distaste for doing that was to avoid preparing for it, hoping the day wouldn’t arrive.  I think Jumping Joe knew that…what a sadist!

Sixty years is a long time to arrive at the understanding that Mr. Gulizio was teaching much more than English literature in 1961; he was bent on forming strong character.  Jumping Joe was teaching me to be ready.  He wanted my head to be in the game, prepared and focused on thinking, learning, speaking up, and remembering that life isn’t just a ball game (which isn’t a bad background for a future preacher). 

So, there is a definite parallel between 9^th Grade English Lit and life as a believer.  Peter’s admonition to the church was to be ready, prepared for the spiritual battle of your lives!  And, to do that, it was, as Peter’s friend and co-laborer, Paul wrote, necessary to put on the armor of a Christ-warrior:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.   Ephesians 6:10-18

For You Today

Our spiritual battles are no different than Peter’s or Paul’s.  Every day we are faced with an enemy that would rob us of our joy, our witness, and our faith.  The choices for life as a disciple of Jesus Christ are only two – faithful or not faithful. 

Jumping Joe Gulizio would say, it’s your turn; he must have been quoting Jesus.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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Title Image:  Pixabay.com      Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

For other posts on 1 Peter see Standing in the Sweet Spot and The Sacrifice of Self-Control

When the Thief Arrives

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.          1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NLT)

We live in an age that is very, very exciting.  Events happen every day in the Middle East that are possible signals of the beginning of the end.  Christ could be very near.  The church could go home at any moment. 

These events are inescapable; they are inevitable. 

It is my sincere prayer that you are ready to meet Him – either in death as His angels carry you to heaven, or in the air as Jesus comes for you in the rapture of His church.  He is coming – you just don’t know when – but you do know He is coming!

Wilmer McLean was a farmer in the Shenandoah Valley in 1861.  In the spring of that year two powerful armies met on his property—the Union army under General McDowell and the Confederate army under General Beauregard. The bloodiest war in American history began at Bull Run, a creek that ran through McLean's property.

McLean was not at all sure why the armies were fighting, but he was quite sure he did not want them fighting on his property.  If he could not change the course of the war, he at least did not have to be part of it.  McLean decided to sell out and go where the war would never find him.

He chose the most obscure place in the whole country—or so he thought – an old house in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.  Four years later General Grant was pursuing General Lee through Virginia.  In Appomattox County, Grant sent a message to Lee asking him to meet and sign a truce.  The place where they met to sign the peace that ended the Civil War was Wilmer McLean's living room! 

Some things you cannot get away from.[1]

The coming of Christ to claim His bride, the church, will be suddenly, without warning.  Remember, Jesus Christ described His coming as a “thief in the night”.

And the thief rarely sends a telegram, email, tweet or text to announce his presence; he never uses the front door.  He’s in and out before you know what happened!

For you, today

I pray you’re ready.  If not, turn to God now and place your trust in Jesus Christ.  Forgiveness of sin is the “readiness factor” for the arrival of the thief.

And while you’re at it, tell somebody else today, a friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker that you’re ready; you’re prepared for when the thief arrives. 

It’s called Advent; preparing for His coming!

---

[1] James R. Edwards, The Divine Intruder (NavPress, 2000), p.154

Ears Open - Heart Straight - Eyes on the Road - Sure Foot

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.  Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.  For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.  Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.  Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.  Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.  Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.     Proverbs 4:20-27 (NRSV)

The advice of Mother or Father to a child should carry the kind of weight and wisdom Solomon shared with his children – that which he’d learned at his father, David’s knee.  The wisest man ever shared with his son how “guarding his heart” was the greatest and most urgent requirement for living a godly life.  Can it be said any plainer than that?  Unguarded is unprepared!

My first-ever practice with our high school football team demonstrated to me what can happen if you are unguarded.  The coach wanted me to catch a pass.  I’d rehearsed the “moves” in my mind…four quick steps off the line, zig left, cut right, up the field for a touchdown; I was going deep! 

The defensive player guarding me let me take the first step forward and then knocked me on my blessed assurance!  I was concentrating so much on my fancy footwork and the praise the coach would heap on his best new wide receiver…I never saw it coming.  There was no touchdown for me, only a great lesson about being “unguarded” (and a ringing-in-the-ear headache)!

Remember what Solomon said:

Ears open – listen to wise advice and poor advice with heart mind and soul, but make sure you are prepared to separate the wheat from the chaff; weigh advice carefully!

Heart straight – don’t be easily thrown off track; know your goals and stay on course.

Eyes on the road – concentrate; distractions will sideline you if you snooze!

Sure foot – recognize evil for what it is and stick with truth.

Today…for YOU

Guard your heart and hearth.  

Life is indeed a tough teacher, but it’s more than just the elements and chance occurrences of circumstances.  There is also the enemy, Satan; he is “roaming about, seeking whom he may devour”. ^{(1 Peter 5:8)}

Don’t be unguarded; put on the full armor of God!

Temptation - Facing the Dark Side - Part 3

Wednesday – September 18, 2013

This morning we are going to look at two ways that the Tempter (Satan) always uses to trip up Jesus’ followers:

He will always suggest a wrong road that seems right

Years ago Debbi Boone had a hit song, You Light Up My Life.  It was one of those crossover songs, hitting the popular, country, and gospel charts.  One phrase in the song always struck me as having the wrong message to ever be considered part of a Christian worldview:

It can’t be wrong, when it feels so right.

Satan has had a lot of practice fooling even the most mature believers.  Friends, I tell you the truth, don’t trust what your heart tells you.  Don’t trust what country music, or your buds from the hood say.  Satan will use anything and anybody to confuse and corrupt your foundation.  He will always suggest a wrong road that seems right. 

In the desert wilderness Jesus relied upon God’s Word to find his way.  So should you.

He will always supply wrong reasons that sound right

Part of the Tempter’s strategy will always present a slightly different (and entirely wrong) way of doing God’s will.  Satan reminded Jesus He came to have a kingdom, feed the hungry, and establish worship.  And he could have those things quicker if he just followed Satan’s advice.  

Friends, no matter how high sounding the end, the way you do things had better square with God’s Word – otherwise you are on thin ice.

A church I served was without a music director.  Of all things, I (who cannot even carry someone else’s tune) was leading the singing.  A group of a dozen visitors showed up one Sunday morning. 

After the service, Carl, a very distinguished looking member of that group invited me to visit him the next evening.  I showed up, and was treated to two hours of Carl showcasing his musical talents – complete with solo and framed music course certificates.  The evening ended with Carl’s statement:  Preacher, me and those other families want to join your church…if you’ll make me the songleader.  I told him I thought he and those other folks would probably be happier in another church. 

Now, I didn’t know the man from Adam’s housecat.  But, I knew enough that anytime there is an “offer with an if” you’re in the middle of a business transaction.  I needed a music director, but this was Mt. Temptation.  I later found out the man had split two other churches with his marvelous music.  His wrong reasons had plenty of sound right (and certificates to prove it) – but they were still wrong reasons.  He cared nothing for the church he was so generously “offering” to serve – it was his agenda and pride that mattered to the songman.

Be Prepared!

Jesus prepared himself spiritually, with fasting and prayer in the wilderness.  When the attack came he was ready with God’s Word to not only survive the temptation, but to overcome and become stronger for the days ahead. 

Today

Remember that the battle is only that – one battle in a lifetime war!  Prepare yourself today and every day with God’s Word, the Sword of the Spirit.  You don’t wait until it starts to rain before you think about repairing that roof; your spiritual roof needs shingles from the Word of God.  Get on it!