God's Word #2 - Dos & Don'ts

God's Word #2 - Dos & Don'ts

We are taking a one month break from our regular multiple Sunday series to do a three part study on God's Word.  Last week we focused on "God's Word Is In Our Heart" (click HERE to view)  Today we are going through the "dos & don'ts" of God's Word.

We will begin with the "dos."  There are two:

- Speak God's word

- Put God's word into action

Both verses above show how amazing it is to be guided by God even in our speech.  There have been many times when sitting down to type my Sunday post I suddenly start typing something different than I had originally planned.  In these instances I felt guided by the Holy Spirit to change my topic (this month included).  I don't know why but I obey those guiding urgings from the Holy Spirit anyway.  Maybe somebody needed to hear that topic on that exact date - only God knows.

Just as important is doing what God's word says.  Often it is only our actions that strangers see and through our actions might be saved because they saw Jesus in our works.  Our actions can be a much more powerful witness to others - so much more obvious than our words (see verses below).

Then there are three "don'ts":

- Do Not take away or add to God's word

- Do Not distort God's word

- Do Not peddle God's word

The message or meaning can be so incredibly changed just by taking away a word.  Equally, the meaning can be changed by adding a word. (see verses above).

Also, distorting God's word is a"don't" and a form of deception.  Maybe twisting the context or manipulating the timeframe are examples of distorting God's word. (see verses below) 

Finally, this is probably the most important of the "don'ts" - do not peddle or profit for personal gain from God's word. (read Scripture below)

Remember, Jesus turned over the tables of people selling and profiting during church and on the tabernacle grounds.  They were not profiting from God's word but rather on God's property and that was enough to cause Jesus to show "righteous anger."  (read Matthew 21:12-13 &/or Mark 11:15-18)

This is going to be the most difficult information for many to accept (I know that I was shocked and hurt when I realized the truth about many season pastors/ministers).

I have always felt uncomfortable when popular televangelists are constantly pushing their newest book or video series.  Yes, I'm sure that some of the profits from selling that merchandise goes back into the ministry but even that caused more uncomfortable feelings.  

I'm going to list some of these televangelists and their net worth (a few of these I followed for years - noticed past tense)(These net worth figures are from online research - either 2023 or 2024):

Kenneth Copeland - $760 million

Pat Robertson - $100 million

Joel Osteen - $100 million

David Jeremiah - $50 million

Rick Warren - $25 million

Franklin Graham - $10 million

Joyce Meyer - $8 million

John Hagee - $5 million

Recently, I was watching something on TV (I think it was something political) and Franklin Graham was introduced as the CEO of his ministry instead of as the pastor.  That's horrible.  These "ministries" are corporations and no longer true callings from God.  I can't help but wonder how many of the people giving to these "ministries" didn't have enough money for their next meal?  

This is true peddling of God's word!

Let's speak & act God's word everyday so that we will have the wisdom to never distort, or peddle His word.

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