Ok, so we're back in our key text and we're going to look into this by beginning where Paul starts: Be an example in WORD.
1 Timothy 4:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
I find it interesting that the very first example he gives, he's telling us to be an example in what comes out of our mouths. I believe that this highlights exactly where the Holy Spirit places priority as walking like a child of Yahweh.
First though, what do we really mean by "be an example"? To be an example means to be a form, a figure or an image that can be imitated. Meaning, you are the original copy from which the copies are made from. To be an example, it means to lead. Understand that what you do affects others regardless of whether you think it does or not.
Secondly, what does Paul mean by "word" because biblically, there are different forms. Well in this scripture, we're talking about the "logos" word, which (according to Strong's concordance) means something said; a word, a decree, the act of speaking, your speech.
So, this tells us that there is an expectation of the types of things that we are suppose to say. There's a song we use to sing called "Order My Steps" and one of the parts I loved
was "bridle my tongue, let your words edify; let the words of my mouth be acceptable in thy sight."
David said it like this, "Put a watch over my mouth." Soooo....
Why do you think that Paul first instructs Timothy to be an example in what and how he talks? Well, from the beginning was the Word and that Word was our Father, was it not? And if He spoke and created the world by his tongue...
And then He created and made you in His image...That means you are to again be a reflection of Him. You're suppose to talk like HE talks.
Your words are suppose to decree, declare, bind and loose.
Your world is formed by your words just like the world was formed by HIS Word.
Let's first look at a few translations of this scripture for more clarification:
1 Timothy 4:12 New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
1 Timothy 4:12-14 The Message (MSG)
11-14 Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.
I like the Message part that says "teach believers with your life." It's been said that your life will be the only glimpse of the Father that people will ever see.
Is this important to you? Especially in an age where "do as thy wilt" is the agenda that is pushed? People need to see you and know that there is an existance of your Father because you reflect Him. Your actions tell everything and the way that you commit your tongue to your Father is important.
Why? Because we reign as joint heirs with Christ on Earth. Therefore, what we speak, we mandate to happen. Ever said something and it came to pass, but you really didn't want it come to pass. However, it did. And there was a part of you that just "knew" it was going to happen. Well, you can look at it like this: You manifest what you speak. When you speak, it releases as a decree in heaven.
So imagine all of these negative thoughts and you begin to release negative words behind these thoughts. Now, what you have done is become in agreement with the enemy, who now has permission to send his army to work on behalf of what you agreed with.
The Most High will not override your free will. You are not a type of slave to Him where you are His robot. Rather, you are a child in his kingdom; regardless if you are not being a good reflection of your Father or not. And don't we see that in the natural? You know the parents of a particular child and you see that child talking or acting contrary to the way you know their parents raised them.
What usually happens? We say, "I know his mama and daddy don't play that!" I can't count on my hands how many times I got in trouble because someone saw me doing something I wasn't supposed to. Next thing I know, my mama is calling me talking about "Uuuhhh so you doing 'such and such'!" *insert hard face palm* I'm telling you, I just could never get away with anything.
Well, why don't we have the same expectation of us in the heavenly realm? Our Daddy Yahweh is holy...He expects us to be holy right? But when our words are not a reflection of the parenting of our Father, we usually just accept it and make exuses, "Well God knows my heart!" *sigh*
Ok...right. So let's go here.
A Tree and its Fruit
43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44For everytree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
A Tree Recognized by its Fruit
33Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. 34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36But I say unto you, Thatevery idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thywords thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
A Tree and its Fruit
15Beware of FALSE prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so everygood tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forthevil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I really think it's evident that the words that you speak, our Lord is saying, are a direct reflection of what is in your heart. Let's reflect on those words in scripture and then measure the Words that we speak against what the scriptures are saying.
Let me tell you. I could pull so much from each of these scriptures but honestly, it is written over and over again just as need be. There is a way we are expected to talk. There are over fifty verses that discuss how we should talk as believers and you can check that here.
But see our talk is a reflection of our hearts. So in order to correct our talk, we have to truly allow the Most High to expose and heal those heart wounds that produce the fruit of evil speaking. And here's the thing, evil doesn't always have to be you cursing or speaking ill toward someone. Evil could very well be a lack of faith- speaking against the Word of God. If you say "Man, my money looking funny" - is that what the Word says? No. The Word speaks again and again that He is our shepherd and we shall not want. The Word says that all of our needs will be met according to His riches. I could go on and on again. So in checking our hearts for soul wounds, we also have to check our hearts for fruit of lack of faith in our speech. Let's speak life; but more importantly let's focus on allowing the life of the Holy Spirit to manifest in us (because He's there already if you're saved) so that we can truly be an example in speech and that people will be lead by the example that we give.
Next week we'll look at the second focus from Paul, "In Conversatioin." Until then, please don't forget to check out last week's blog The Awakening! (You can also see what current titles are availbe here.)
#zoedeespeaks #aCall2Purity