Word Count: 587

Contact Elizabeth Marks

Idle Talk

by Elizabeth Marks  
12/18/2006 / Devotionals

As I urged you when I went into Macedoniaremain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. 1 Timothy 1:3-7 NKJV

Have you ever known someone who appeared godly but you werent quite sure if they were or not? I once knew a woman who appeared godly. She not only read the Bible, but she knew many scriptures from memory. Whenever we spoke, she always brought scripture into the conversation. On the surface, those things sound okay, dont they? However, there seemed to be something dark going on. Something I couldnt point my finger on. I started noticing how her use of scripture always seemed to fit her situation, as though she was interpreting Gods Word to justify her plight.

The Bible teaches us that some will stray from the truth and turn to idle talk. What is idle talk? You could say anything which doesnt build up and edify yourself or others in the truth would be idle talk. Discussions that cause doubt rather than building up your faith may be another example. Ephesians 4:29 NKJV Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Todays scripture says some will want to be teachers of the law, yet not understanding what they say or the things which they affirm. Look at what the Bible says about the religious folks in Pauls day. Romans 17:21 NKJV: Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? Paul was pointing out they may have been confident they were teaching truth, yet they hadnt really applied what they taught to their own lives. Thats being hypocritical. We have to be careful to apply what we learn from the Bible into our lives. Otherwise, it wont be beneficial others.

Everything we do or say should be done to build up faith, either our own or someone elses. Therefore, when we speak let it not lead to disputes, doubt or cause conflict among our fellow believers. Secondly, what we learn from the Bible must appear in our lives. We can not encourage another in truth, if we havent first applied that truth in our own life.

Lord, thank you for giving us the words of truth. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth. May we take your truth and integrate it in our life to become the light and witness for you, which you called us to be. In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen.

Copyright Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions, has a heart for encouraging believers with God's Word. Please visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com for more devotions, bible studies, book reviews and more!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Elizabeth Marks

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer