Friday, February 27, 2009

Many Lessons To Be Learned

While reading Luke, we are learning many lessons through the parables Jesus used to teach the disciples. Everything from teaching us not to gossip, to how we are to give to the needy. In Luke chapter 12 there is a lesson on hypocrisy. This lesson could be used to teach us that we are not to gossip. Jesus says, that whatever is spoken in the dark, will be heard in the light. In other words, when you go around talking about people behind their backs, sooner or later it will come out to face you face to face. You will be held accountable. Whether by the person you are talking about, or in the day of judgment. You might want to go on and get it over with and come face to face.

Jesus tells us gossip is like leaven in the bread. Once you put the yeast in the dough, the dough multiplies and grows. The same with gossip. Once you start a rumor, then the others who love to gossip will continue to add the leaven, and the rumor will grow and grow until finally it is out of control and can only be stopped once confronted. People can usually be pretty brazen and bold and quick to talk about others when the other is not around. The best way to avoid this is to steer clear of the gossip. And if it is you they are talking about. I say REJOICE! This just means they are giving someone else a rest. And remember the word says you will be blessed when you are persecuted by your enemies. AMEN!

Jesus says we can be free from all our sins. He says that gossip is a sin. Matthew 12 v 36-37....."But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."........

Luke 12 v 1-3.....In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops......

In other words Jesus says, whenever you get a bunch of people together, who have different personalities and likes and dislikes and beliefs, they will start tearing each other down. They will start trash talking about the ones who are different. He is telling you, do not get caught up in this backbiting spirit. Do not let the leaven (the spirit of evil) get on you. Earlier in Matthew, He tells you what will happen. That is such a strong statement. Every idle word. How many times have you said something about someone, only to regret it, the moment it left your lips. That is the Holy Spirit, letting you know to repent, so that you will not have to face judgment later.

Jesus goes on to tell us in the same parable, not to be afraid of those who can kill your body, and after that can do no more to you, but in fact be very afraid of the one who can kill and then has the power to cast into hell. In other words, fear GOD and not the world. Don't worry about what the world thinks of you, but be of utmost concern what Jesus thinks of you. AMEN!

Luke 12 v 4-5.....And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you shall fear. Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes I say to you, Fear Him!........

There will always be those who love gossip, so let us remember this passage when it tries to spread over to us. Remember the words in Matthew. "every idle word"

RTB...Luke 16-18....
Saturday..Luke 19-21..
Sunday ..Luke 22-24...

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