by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
A key Biblical truth to developing a pleasing character is to learn to listen. Proverbs 18:13 says, “He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.” The Bible also says, “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint and a man of understanding is even-tempered.”
God warns us against rash talking, as well as protecting us from coming across as being rude and interruptive. We make a mistake when we think that giving a quick answer shows others how sharp we are. We also deceive ourselves when we think that we must give answers right away. The Bible is saying that it is folly for a man to speak about an issue before he has gotten all the facts and has understanding of the circumstances. Communication skills are not just good interpersonal relations; they are actually moral issues of wisdom coming from prayerful understanding of the council of God’s Word. Responding quickly without listening causes us to give our opinion, thus missing the opportunity to point people to seek the council of the Lord. It is actually stupid, because it cause us to miss out on hearing from the Lord and make right judgments.
John 7:24 says “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” “Too often we are slow to hear—we never really listen to the whole matter patiently—and swift to speak; and this gets us into trouble. It is wise to restrain the lips. A godly person will study to answer, but a fool will open his mouth and pour out foolishness. Potiphar did not listen to Joseph’s side of the story and committed a great crime because of it. Jesus and the Apostles were not permitted to tell their whole story; the verdicts were passed by their enemies before the cases were honestly tried.”. (Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Pr 18:13). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books) “A man should get all the facts before giving his opinion. Otherwise he will be embarrassed when the full details are made known. There are two sides to every question: every divorce, every quarrel, etc. Don’t agree with a person if you have not heard the other person’s side.” (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary)
Robert Herron wrote, “Good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a time. Trying to listen to my wife while looking over an office report is like trying to receive two radio stations at the same time. I end up with distortion and frustration. Listening requires a choice of where I place my attention. To tune into my partner, I must first choose to put away all that will divide my attention. That might mean laying down the newspaper, moving away from the dishes in the sink, putting down the book I’m reading, setting aside my projects.”
The Book of Proverbs has it right, “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer…” (Proverbs 15:28)
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
A congenial life has a listening heart and it gives without sparing. Proverbs 21:26b says, “…but the righteous give without sparing.”
A person who touches the lives of others is a person who is ready to give time, strength and financially as the Lord provides. This person has a heart that is discerning, knowing when it is being taken advantage of, but sees real needs. They manage their time wisely so they can make time to help someone who truly needs it. They are able to find strength to help that person who needs it, even in the late hours of the night. They are willing to give joyfully without finding fault.
I remember over hearing a couple talk about a church in the South east part of the United Sates, this Body of Christ knew the joy of giving. There was a young couple in Nebraska, both veterinarians, they were trying to adopt a special needs baby. They made the trip to Memphis, Tennessee to pick up their new baby. They spent the day holding her, packed their bags, were heading their way out the hospital, when they were detained, due to some paper work that had not gone through.
Heart broken, they made their way to a church service at Bellevue Baptist. While attending the service they were asked what brought them to Tennessee. They explained their situation and dilemma. Immediately, Bellevue Baptist became a congenial atmosphere. They put the couple in a motel, provided meals, transportation and provided whatever this couple needed until the paper work was all in order. The family of God at Bellevue Baptist gave time, strength and finances for a full week. Then, they joyfully saw the young couple off to Nebraska, with their new baby. Give as the Lord leads, you are His hands ministering to others!
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
A congenial life prays and does not complain or argues. Philippians 2:14 – 16, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
The person who does not complain or argue is the person people like to be around or work with. There is no greater trust an employer can have than having an employee who does not complain or argue. The family member who is enjoyable to be around is the family member who does not complain or argues over issues. The couple who is the happiest in life, is the couple who does not complain about each other to others, this couple chooses wisely their words toward each other. The married couple who people like to be around is the couple who cherishes each other, and lives out their adoration for all to see. The couple who always speaks well of each other is the couple who are admired by others. In the horse business, the trainer that is like is the one who does not complain about their customers.
The Apostle Paul was always concern about the life that was being lived by those who he had ministered the Word of God to. (Galatians 2:2) The greatest concern for those who preach and teach God’s Word, “Are the people living out what is taught.” Nothing more disheartening to Christian parents, their children live a life that is complaining and argumentative. In the work place people who find that they have been complained about, are hurt and they find comfort in being around co-workers who are known not to be complainers. Strive to be a person who does not complain or argues!
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
We live in a time were people are easily influenced by a world view off criticizing, complaining and the disregarding of the feelings of others. The work place often has an atmosphere of tearing down others for the purpose of building one self-up. Family members spend to much time speaking derogatory comments about and toward each other, rather than speak words of appreciation. Coaches, parents, actually everyone in a place of authority find themselves under the radar of speculation and accusation rather than a searching heart of council and direction.
Recently, I saw a face-book pop-up, a picture of an old couple roller-skating together, with comments presenting love as forbearance, the empowerment for not killing each other after all those years of being together. I would propose to you that the Bible has principles to live by that surpasses forbearance and creates congenial surroundings filled with people who have a congenial spirit. In this world filled with a complaining and a critical spirit, there are people who, through a disciplined life, live a congenial life.
Jim Bennet, writing about the Congenial Workplace tells us, “When working alongside individuals that have an overly negative attitude, many people find that their own attitude becomes negative and progress in the workplace is slowed considerably. It is the job of the business management to create a congenial workplace in which all of the employees are able to get along (at least to the point of keeping up positive attitudes and progressing throughout the work day without being slowed down by negative co-workers.)”
God knows the value of a peaceful atmosphere, that is why we are given this exhortation, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” With such an exhortation, just what are Biblical truths that can enable us to have a pleasing nature? How can we realistically create an atmosphere of living that people love to be exposed to? Make time this year to seek out those Bible teachers who guide you Biblically how to live a congenial life!
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Creation
He really is! Every day of your life, until you draw your final breath, you will stand at the Crossroads and be asked to make a choice. Which way will you choose? God has set before you two gates, one wide and one narrow. He has set before you two roads, one broad and one narrow. He has set before you two destinations, one of eternal blessing and one of eternal damnation.
Your greatest problem is this: the signs pointing down both roads are marked, “The Way to Heaven.” Both gates read, “Enter Here,” and both destinations are labeled “Heaven.” You notice that many of your friends and family are heading through the wide gate and down the broad way. The road looks smooth; the walking appears easy and comfortable. You can take all your “stuff” with you. A few carry burdens of sexual sin, partying, drunkenness, or lies. But most are good people, talking about Jesus along the way. But these are still carrying pride, unbelief, bitterness, self-sufficiency or false religious ideas. Not many on that road will criticize you much as you walk along. They are very tolerant and open-minded. After all, their baggage looks much the same as yours.
Now you look the other way. The beginning of the narrow road seems difficult. In fact, it looks downright cramped. The narrow gate only has room for one to go through at a time. You certainly can’t carry all of your baggage with you. You have to somehow unload your burdens of sins and leave them behind to travel that way. In fact, all you can really see is that a cross stands right in the middle of the road just ahead with piles of baggage lying at its foot. It’s obvious to you that you can’t even start down that road until you go to the cross. The road beyond the cross looks a little rough and has an uphill grade to it. You can pick out only a few lone travelers up ahead, no great crowds of people to mingle with on that path. So, which way do you go?
Since God has given the choice; and since He also wrote the Guidebook, His perfect Word, we would suggest strongly that you go to Him to find out the best way to go. Jesus says this, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it… Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 7: 13, 14, 21) Jesus also says to you, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6)
The choice is clear. Step through the small gate. Go to the cross. Repent of your sin and ask for forgiveness. Receive the free gift of eternal life that God has offered you through Jesus Christ. Sincerely ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, now and forever. The way is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. You have an Unseen Friend that walks with you all the way!
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