War of Words

Have you recently felt bombarded by the media with protests or strong opinions on Facebook? Even on a simple trip to the grocery store you can encounter small talk revolving around all the negativity about what is going on in the world we live in today. How do you feel and handle the War of Words? Do you feel like you need to engage by using your keyboard to pound out your opinion? Are you glued to news stations nonstop? Do you find yourself in heated discussions to prove your point? The War of Words seems to be the cultural environment we currently are living in where social media and other media avenues can be the big culprits to breed unrest and division.

1 Timothy 6:3 New International Version (NIV) - 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

To understand this scripture in today’s world we can look at social media and the TV networks. Many people are being tricked and distracted by the enemy into division. We need to stay focused on God and anchor our hearts in Him. We have to fight the irritations that we see and hear and trust in what we know God teaches us. Fill your thoughts with His desires and character. Desire what God desires for you and not what the world is teaching you to believe. Don’t be deceived or personally demeaned by the what you are hearing and seeing.

1 Timothy 4:12 New International Version (NIV) - 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Being young as stated in the scripture can equate to age, race, man, woman, family background, or income level to mention a few. Point being, do not be disqualified or looked down upon. Place your anchor in God and your identity will shine through without a need to protest, self promote, or become defensive. Build your foundation on truths. Dig for the truth. Don’t allow your values to be diluted by worldly ways appearing to be similar to God. Be true to yourself and God by anchoring your heart and passions with God. Blessings will come to you and a higher call of influence to others. A lesser call and a potential missing of blessings will be involved in the war of words. In other words, being pulled into false news or someone else’s belief system can lead you astray. Your God given purpose may be off track because you are not consulting with God about the world around you. In your destiny walk, there will be opposition and irritations. Fight the good fight by getting to know God so you will learn your purpose by your deep rooted passion that will be revealed to you by following Him. Usually a strong passion that is deep in your heart will be fueled more and by God if you turn to Him. In our fight for God’s truths, we become mature. Our foundation in the Lord becomes solid and firm. This will ultimately lead to a culture of honor knowing what God values. God and you become infused. This type of culture will carry you through the tough times and the confusion.

Our conduct should be of honor in words, faith, and love. Don’t buy into the world’s chaos. The enemy does not like redemption. He does not like us being saved from sin and chaos. God wants the world redeemed by us and through us. By everyone of us mirroring God and His character we can influence and change the world. Get to know Him and start influencing others in a positive way. What do you have to lose? Instead we gain value, strength, love and a deeper faith.

Challenge Action Item:

1 Timothy 2:1-3 The Message (MSG)

Simple Faith and Plain Truth

2 1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

Shalom,

Denise Horgan