A hypocrite lives blissfully as long as he subdues conscience and successfully ignores God’s Spirit. By all appearances, this person has achieved the “glorious” goal of living after the flesh and after the spirit. He can indulge in many secret sins while at the same time speaking and acting in ways that give the impression of godliness.
Jeremiah Exposes Judah’s Hypocrisy
They are also commanded “to build, and to plant.” I don’t mean to be a boastful Daddy, but start up a bulldozer in downtown Portland, put my son Andrew (he’s barely two, I’ll have you know!) in the cab, and he’ll dismantle a few things for you.
God Calls Jeremiah
Wholehearted, singlehearted devotion to God dethrones self. When that happens, conflict with other people becomes an increasingly tough thing to relish and even accomplish. Our purposes in petitioning God go through a Psalm 51 cleansing. Our relationship to the world becomes more and more distant. Humility and the accompanying grace for godly living become some of our most distinguishing characteristics.
The Tragedy of Divided Allegiance (1996)
Ungratefulness is a sign of the times. Let’s not be conformed to the world. Did you ever think of thankfulness as a sign of nonconformity? Thanksgiving is one of the identifying traits of God’s people! Let’s be faithful in daily living out that distinctive that marks us as separate from the world.
Grateful Faith
So what is your speech impediment? You’re right, I’m not talking about stuttering, slurring or anything of the sort. I’m talking about such things as harshness, coldness, hastiness, unkindness, deceptiveness and lots of other things that like to nest in our mouths. Having identified your impediment, go to God for help. Not just in controlling your tongue, but in cleansing your heart. You must realize, though, that His work in your heart will affect much more than just your speech! Are you willing for a complete change of life should that result?
Speaking to Edify the Hearer