GET ALL THE INFO BEFORE DELIVERING A MESSAGE

PROCLAMATION

“And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, ‘All is well.’  And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, ‘Bless be The Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.  And the king said, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’  And Ahimaaz answered, ‘… I know not …’  And the king said unto him, ‘Turn aside, and stand here.  And he turned aside, and stood still.”  2 Samuel 18:28-30 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  In the battle with his son Absalom and the army of Israel, King David instructed each of his three commanders to be gentle with his son.  David’s men routed the Israelite army.  They were not prepared to fight in the forest.  As he fled, Absalom’s long hair got caught in the branches of a large oak tree and his mule kept going leaving him hanging in the tree.  Absalom was proud of his very long hair (2 Samuel 14:25-26) and that vanity played a part in his demise.  Joab’s soldiers found him there and, remembering King David’s words, they would not harm him.  When Joab arrived, after confronting the first soldier to find him, Joab thrusted three spears into his body and then ten of his armor-bearers attacked Absalom and killed him.  Ahimaaz the son of Zadok asked to carry the news of the victory to the king but Joab initially told him no and sent the Cushite runner instead. (2 Samuel 18:19-21)  A little while later Ahimaaz asked again if he could run to the king with the news even though there was no need for him to do so. (2 Samuel 18:22-23)  This time he was allowed to go, and he outran the Cushite and got to the king first, but he could not give a full report.  It was the Cushite who arrived later that told the king his son was dead.

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes in our haste, we go off “half-cocked” without all of the information that we need in order to present the whole story.  The first report of “breaking news” is not always the most accurate and it is usually lacking in specific details.  All too often we give out misinformation because we do not have, or intentionally do not present, all of the facts.  Sometimes we accept what we have heard as the truth and share that with others without bothering to verify the information for ourselves.   We are to also read and study The Bible and verify that which heard is in fact the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)  Without personally reading and studying The Bible we are relying on the words of others whose message may be missing significant information. 

TELL THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH

PROCLAMATION

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In this fourth and final chapter of his second letter to Timothy, Paul tells him to preach The Word in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)  He says that there will come a time when people will not want to hear it, but he should continue to preach it. (2 Timothy 4:3-5)  Paul states that the time of his death is near, and that he has kept the faith.  He knows that there is a crown waiting for him in heaven. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)  Paul asks Timothy to come to him as soon as he can.  He states that only Luke is still with him, all of the others who had travelled with him have left him. (2 Timothy 4:9-13)  He warns Timothy about Alexander the metal-worker, who had done him great harm. (2 Timothy 4:14-15)  Then he asks God to forgive those who deserted him.  He says God stood by him and gave him strength and allowed him to preach to the Gentiles. (2 Timothy 4:16-18)

 

APPLICATION

Preachers are to preach The Word of God in good times and bad times.  All of us are to speak the truth, and to tell people about the gospel, but some people will not want to hear it.  They will only want to hear what they want to hear; that which makes them feel good or that which agrees with their corrupt sentiments or sinful lusts.  When we meet resistance to God’s Holy Word, we are not to argue with them.  We are to just shake it off like we shake the dust off of our shoes and keep on stepping for The Lord God will deal with them. (Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, and Luke 9:5)  Let us make sure that when we speak that we are telling the people the truth and not just telling them only what they want to hear.

 

THE TRUTH CAN SILENCE SOME OF OUR CRITICS

PROCLAMATION

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God granted repentance that leads to life.’ ”  Acts 11:18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATIONS

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that the apostles and believers criticized Peter for taking The Word of God to the Gentiles and for going into the house of, and eating with, “uncircumcised men.” (Acts 11:1-3)  Peter told them the hold story starting from the beginning. (Acts 11:4-16)  When he had finished he asked them, “So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in The Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17)   When they heard this, they had no further objections.

 

APPLICATIONS

Sometimes we can be criticized, even by believers, for doing what The Lord God has told us to do.  Some people will not like it when we tell the truth.  When our critics are believers, the truth will silence them. (Acts 11:18)  However, if our critics are non-believers, the truth can upset them and even enrage them to the point of violence.  That was what happen to Peter and John (Acts 5:40) and to Stephen. (Acts 7:54-58)  Jesus, The Christ said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake … Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)  We are encouraged to always tell the truth.  However, we should always think before we speak to make sure that what we say is “Truthful, Helpful, Insightful, Necessary, and Kind.”

 

PEOPLE WHO PLAY TRICKS ON OTHERS WILL GET TRICKED

Proclamation:

“When morning came, there was Leah!  So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me?  I served you for Rachel, didn’t I?  Why did you deceive me?’”  Genesis 29:25  (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Jacob left the land of Canaan to flee from his brother, Esau, and to honor his father, Isaac’s request not to marry a woman from Canaan. (Genesis 28:1)  He went to the land of his mother, Rebekah’s brother Laban.  There he met Laban’s beautiful daughter Rachel, fell in love with her, and agreed to work for Laban for seven years in order to have her because he did not have a dowry to offer him for her. (Genesis 29:18)  Jacob thought that he had married Rachel but was given Leah instead.  Jacob had been drinking at the wedding feast and Leah was heavily veiled when she was brought to him.  Laban tricked him because it was their custom that the eldest daughter, Leah, must be married before the younger daughter. (Genesis 29:26)  So Jacob worked a second period of seven years, after he married Leah, so that he could have Rachel. (Genesis 29:30)  Jacob, who had tricked his father, Isaac, in order to get the blessing of his older brother, Esau, (Genesis 27:19-25) was himself tricked, by Laban, into marrying Leah.

Application:

There are a lot of appropriate old sayings which fit this situation, “Players will soon get played.”  “Those who play tricks, will eventually get tricked.”  “As you sow, so shall you also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)  The Lord God is not to be played with, and He does not like liars and deceivers.  People who deceive others will pay for it sooner or later.  Be true to yourself and present the real you to others.  All of the blessings which The Good Lord has in store for you are yours and yours alone, no one else can get them.  However, you can mess up and lose out on your conditional blessings.  So, do not pretend to be someone that you are not, in order to impress others or to get that which you do not deserve.  God is always watching.

TELL THE TRUTH AND DON'T LIE

Proclamation:

“An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.”  Proverbs 12:17 (NIV)

“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”  Proverbs 12:19 (NIV)

“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”  Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by King Solomon, the son of King David.  Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  His proverbs were written to teach and guide the people of God so that they would know and practically apply The Word of God.

Application:

When we speak, we should tell the truth.  We should not lie.  The Lord God detests liars.  The Bible tells us that all liars will spend eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8) unless they are believers who have been forgiven and have their names written in the book of life. (Revelation 20:15)  Let us pray to The Lord God for forgiveness for our past lies and ask for His help to speak the truth.  Let us practice good Christian conversation.  It is better not to say anything than to lie.  Some of the things that we say are better left unsaid.  We should only speak that which is truthful and helpful.

Don't Argue With A Fool Or A Non-believer

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself."  Proverbs 26:4 (NIV)

King Solomon said do not agree with a fool, or engage him at his level, rebuke him, correct him, or leave him alone.  Speak to him, tell him the truth and point out the error in his ways.  Do not argue with him or you will be perceived as being just like him.

To paraphrase an old saying, when you see a fool and a genius arguing, it is difficult to tell which one is which.  Do not argue with a fool, do not go down to his level.  If he bashes you and your friends, for whatever reason, do not bash him and his friends.  Do not try to out point him in his game.  A wise man must be taught how to deal with fools.  This applies to the believer dealing with non-believers.  Believers need to know when to speak, what to say, and when to be silent. (Colossians 4:6)  When confronted by a non-believer, one should speak the truth, tell him what the Bible says on that matter, give him book, chapter, and verse, if possible, and then end the conversation politely, agreeing to disagree if he persists.  To quote the Bible and apply it correctly to people, we need to study it. (2 Timothy 2:15)  It is our job to share The Word of God with people. (Mark 16:15)  It is The Holy Spirit's job to convict, convince, convert, and consecrate, and to add to the Church as He sees fit. (Acts 2:47)  Sometimes we just need to "shake the dust off" our shoes and move on, as Jesus told His disciples to do when they meet non-receptive non-believers. (Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, and Luke 9:5)

Tell The Truth Don't Lie

"Lying lips are abomination to The LORD: but they that deal truly are His delight."  Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)

King Solomon makes it clear how The Lord feels about liars.  He also states that The Lord delights in those who tell the truth.

There is no distinction in the Bible between the proverbial "little white lie" and any other kind of lie.  A lie is a lie.  Even the lie that was told to "protect someone's feelings", is still a lie and we will have to give an account for it.  Liars are one of several things that are an abomination to The Lord.  All lies are of the devil for he is the father of lies. (John 8:44)  In fact, there is a special place in hell reserved for liars. (Revelation 21:8)  It is better for us not to say anything at all than to tell a lie.  We need to ask God for forgiveness's for every lie spoken, and ask for His help to control our tongue.  God delights in those who tell the truth.

Tell The Truth Don't Lie

"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit." Proverbs 12:17

"Lying lips are abomination to The Lord; but they that deal truly are His delight." Proverbs 12:22

When we speak, we should tell the truth. Don't lie. Let us pray for forgiveness for our past lies and ask for help to speak the truth and to practice good Christian conversation.

It is better not to say anything than to lie. Some things are better left unsaid.

Don't Lie To God

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price ... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost..."

"... When his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much ... How is it that ye have agreed to tempt The Spirit of The Lord ... Then she fell down ... and yielded up the ghost ..." Acts 5:1-10

The people sold their lands and houses and brought the full price of the sell to the apostles. Acts 4:34-37 The problem was that Ananias and Sapphira sold their land, kept back part of the selling price for themselves, and then brought the remainder to the apostles and lied claiming that it was the full price of the sell.

They lied and they died. They lied in the place of worship, to the man of God, and to God Himself, and they died right there. The moral of the story is don't lie to God.