Stinking Thinking
Series: Authentic Faith
July 17, 2022
Frank Foreman
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? --James 4:11-12 ---------- This week, Frank preaches a message over a short passage from James 4:11-12. In this message, he will share truths associated with the Christian life as we speak to one another and as we speak about others. We have a responsibility to confront sin, but not in a malicious or slanderous manner. Frank will address these thoughts from a biblical perspective this Sunday.
Episode Notes
Journal) James 4:11-12
Proverbs 22:1, A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 6:16-19, There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him…. a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Psalm 52:1-5, Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?…. But God will break you down forever; He will snatch and tear you from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
Big Idea: Maturing Christians must avoid slander….
Which does not lessen our responsibility to confront sin.
Slander (Speak against): Mindless, thoughtless, careless, critical, derogatory, untrue speech intended to hurt someone.
James challenges us to check our stinking thinking:
1. Check what we think about others.
(Journal) 4:11a
Matthew 7:1-5, Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
2. Check what we think about the Law.
(Journal) 4:11b
Matthew 22:37-40, And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
3. Check what we think about God.
(Journal) 4:12a,
Isaiah 14:13, You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to Heaven; above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’
4. Check what we think about ourselves.
(Journal) 4:12b
Romans 12:3, For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Next Step: I repent of slander and commit to speech filled with grace and truth.
Content Copyright Belongs to New Horizons Christian Church
6607