|
|
|
|
The Fruit of Our Lips Wisdom and Warnings from Jeremiah and Hosea (NKJ) Just as the condition of the root determines the quality of the fruit, so the condition of our heart determines the character of our words. As we become more Christ-like, we increasingly allow Spirit-controlled discipline to rule over our carnal tendency for unrestrained self-expression. The indwelling Holy Spirit desires that we bridle the tongue, thereby avoiding unwise and ruinous expression, for spoken words release power, either creative or destructive. While the path to restoration begins with conviction (an awareness of one's failure to meet and carry out God's standard), it then moves to confession (a spiritual, mental and verbal agreement with God), and finally to repentance (a complete turning away from that which is displeasing to Him, whether in thought, word or deed.) One evidence of that transformation is revealed through the fruit of our lips. After citing deception and hardness to heart as reasons for backsliding, God spoke to Jeremiah of the people's willful independence: "I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying , 'What have I done?' Everyone turned to his own course...My people do not know the judgment of the Lord" {Jer. 8:6-7}. To be God's herald required that Jeremiah separate the holy from the unholy: "If you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as My mouth." Cleansed and circumcised heart and hearing produce circumspect and guarded speech. "Who is the wise man who may understand...And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare..".{Jer. 9:12}. In essence, God is asking: " Who will hear? Who will understand? Who will declare?" Do we not hear that we may declare? In Hosea we see the movement from lack of knowledge (of God) to unrestrained words and actions: "...the Lord brings a charge (a legal complaint) against the inhabitants of the land: 'There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, Killing and sealing and committing adultery, They break all restraint...’" (Hos. 4:1-2}. "They do not consider in their hearts (Lit. do not say to) That I remember all their wickedness..." {Hos. 7:2}. Of Ephraim and Samaria, Hosea reported, "They make a king glad with their wickedness, And princes with their lies" {7:3}. While Hosea referred to a natural king, the spiritual parallel becomes apparent when we consider the delight demonic spirits take when we displease God by being party to that which He considers wickedness, lies and evil speaking. God's judgment follows the disobedience and disloyalty that result from a divided heart: "Israel empties his vine; He brings forth fruit for himself...Their heart is divided (in loyalty)...They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant. Thus judgment springs up like hemlock in the furrows of the field" (Hos. 10:1-2,4}. "...you have eaten the fruit of lies...you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men. Therefore tumult shall arise..." {Hos. 10:13-14}. From a reverent and humble fear of God, Ephraim degenerated into self-righteousness and finally idolatry, "When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. Now they sin more and more..." {Hos. 13:1, 2a}. Of the idolatrous images, "They say of them, 'Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves (Worship with kisses the calves)!'" (Hos. 13:2c}. How like the deluded Laodicean church Ephraim sounds: "And Ephraim said, 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin" {Hos. 12:8}. "O Israel, return to the Lord your God...Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices (fruit of our lips)'" {Hos 14:1-2}. Restoration, preceded by heart transformation, along with verbal confession, would result in growth upward, downward and outward: "I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow (bud or sprout) like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread (strike); His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon." {Hos 14:5-7} At last Ephraim would abandon idolatry to find in Jehovah the God Who desired to be both their root and their fruit. Rooted in Him, we, too, may claim the promise of His planting: "Your fruit is found in Me" {Hos. 14:8d}.
- RUTH FRENCH September Newsletter 1997 | Listening Is Hearing | Pastor's Journal September 1996 The Fruit of Our Lips | Depart from Evil | Called, Chosen and Faithful Revised: February 22, 2008. |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
|
|
Copyright © 1995-2007 Living Word Christian
Fellowship, Inc.
|
