KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:10 KJV “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”

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Apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, testified boldly that he knew what kind of man he was. He said Timothy knew his doctrine. This reveals that Paul was very plain about his teachings. He was very elaborate about what he taught. Please, your doctrine should be very clear, elaborate and very easy to understand. This should be about the good news of our Lord Jesus.

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He also said you knew my manner of life. Apostle Paul was saying to Timothy that he had behaved acceptably and honourably . For one to speak this way implies that he is saying my life has not been dishonourable. He even talked about his purpose in life. This referred to his life mission. A life which was fully given to pleasing the Lord Jesus in all He did. He made mention of his faith. Paul was a great man of faith.

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Now the question each of us have to ask ourselves is, can we make such bold defence of ourselves.Anyone who has made Jesus Lord indeed, can make these claims.Timothy has been a son to Paul, who has been with him on a number of his missions.Timothy knew him very well.Timothy from the tone of Psul’s statement was only endorsing all these claims.Dear one can your close associates testify about your impeccable lifestyle.? What is your purpose in life.Paul lived his life to honour Jesus in everything he did.Most people are living for themselves.They may claim they are living for Jesus, yet everything points to themselves. This is seen in how they relate to others, especially when they are offended.It also shows even when talking about the Lord Jesus himself.

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Dear one, if you feel your life testimony does not match up, do not throw in the towel ,just surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, acknowledging that He is the one living His life through you. Gal 2:20. Do everything with the consciousness that Christ is your very life. In this way, your words only proceed to glorify him. Your faith would always be firm in Him, trusting him to honour what he has promised. Living an impactful life always proceeds from allowing the Lord to lead His life through you.

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THOUGHT:YOU WOULD HAVE AN IMPACTFUL LIFE IF JESUS IS TRULY YOUR LORD.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Act 6:8 KJV” And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

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Gal 2:20 KJV “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:9 KJV “But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”

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The bible is filled with stories of how various persons related with God.it shows the outcome of each person depending on how they related with God.People who totally dedicated their lives to honour him were greatly blessed.The following verse shows us how God treated those  who lived rightly  with Him.2Ch 16:9 KJV “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him……………”.” God surely shows His power to all those who sincerely serve him wholeheartedly.

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Now how does he relate to those who despitefully treat Him.1Sa 2:30 KJV” Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”Anyone who refuses to submit to Him is definitely  acting proudly. Jas 4:6 KJV “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Those who oppose God have chosen a path of shame and reproach. It was during the era of those kings who went into idolatry  and other abominable things that God allowed  the whole nation to go into exile.

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Dear reader, God’s words are not just statements of advice but divine laws that have serious consequences if disobeyed. They also bring great blessings and promotion if honoured. These things are summarised  in the following verses. Romans 2:7-9 says it clearly. Rom 2:7-9 KJV To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey  unrighteousness,  indicgnation and wrath  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,”

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These words are very clear. Which path would you take? Moses, before he died, said to the Jews, ‘I set before you, life and death, choose life. Deut 30:15-19

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THOUGHT:LIFE EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT US THAT TO CHOOSE GOD IS TO CHOOSE LIFE

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Pro 4:18-19 KJV But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”

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Deu 30:19 KJV “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:8 KJV “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

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The Lord Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians. Paul was a Pharisee who saw the Christian message as a great canker to the teachings of the Law. He was very sincere in his persuasions, yet he was sincerely wrong. From our key scripture,  he could be described as reprobate to the truth. The Lord Jesus said the following to him, Acts 9:5 KJV, “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” To kick against the pricks is to  unprotectively attack the sting of bees or deadly snakes. You would be terribly injured or even killed. It is of great folly to attack the truth.

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Our Lord Jesus is the truth. Anyone  who hates him and therefore tries to fight him is seriously waging a suicide mission. Some of these people claim they have read the bible a number of times, yet they remain in the dark concerning the truth. They approach the scriptures  with a corrupted mind. They read it to find faults so they may condemn it. You can not see your way out of any thing if you veil your face. A reprobate mind can never know the truth because its mind is seriously corrupted.

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Dr Kakir Rahman is an Islamic apologetic who has written a number of books with over fifty million followers. This man  claims he won every debate he had with Christian apologetics . He seemed to have an answer for every claim that the Christians would put up. During one Such debate at his TV studio in Dubai, the Lord appeared to him. He was instantly  unable to speak for forty-five seconds. He was rushed to the hospital, suspecting a cardiac arrest ,but was given a clean bill of health. This was not a neurological or psychological  defect but a true encounter. The Lord appeared to him the second time after he had now read the bible with an open mind. The second time the Lord appeared to him, he bowed and surrendered to the Lord.

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This man, like many people, has a reprobate mind and so opposes the truth ignorantly. Dear one, you should not die in your ignorance. That would be very terrible for you. Surrender your life to the master today

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THOUGHT: TO FIGHT THE TRUTH IS LIKE SAYING, YOU WOULD DESTROY THE SUN BY LOOKING AT IT

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Act 9:5 KJV” And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

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Act 5:39 KJV” But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:7 KJV Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

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We continue  with our above topic. The scriptures explain why many keep learning but never get to know the truth that may bring true freedom to them. Many people have erroneously thought that knowledge comes from just acquiring information. True scriptural knowledge comes through experiencing the truth. Encountering the power is the means of  true spiritual knowledge.

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The Lord made mention of two persons, one of whom got to know the truth through encountering the power of God, and one did not because he did not encounter God’s power. Let’s  consider the first instance. Mat 7:24 KJV” Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” He said this man heard the message, or read the message and acted on the word. Because he did the word, he is likened to the man who built his house on the rock. This man overcame the challenges that came his way. He was not destroyed by the storms of life. He was the man who truly experienced the truth.

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Let’s consider the second instance. Mat 7:26 KJV “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:” He said this man heard the word or read about the message, yet he did not do what the word said. The Lord said the actions of this man are like a man who builds his house on the sand. He took no pains to do anything. When challenges came, he could not face or stand them. This man never came to the knowledge of the truth.

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James, the brother of the Lord, wrote the following: “Jas 1:22 KJV But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Those who hear and fail to do what the word says are  deceiving themselves, for they would never know the reality of the word .

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THOUGHT: THE TRUTHS OF GOD ARE ALWAYS FOR DILIGENT SEEKERS

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Jas 1:25 KJV “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

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Psa 27:13 KJV “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:7 KJV” Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

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The Lord said  that  those who continue in his teaching shall know the truth and the truth shall make them free, John 8:31,32. Our key scripture reveals there are certain individuals who keep learning but never come to the knowledge of the truth. This is a very serious observation, yet many people find themselves in such a condition. There are a lot under all kinds of bondages, or simply, they are not free. So long as they remain bound, then it simply means they have not known the truth or have yet to apply the truth.

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What keeps men in the dark, although there is an abundance of the truth? In natural life experience, one may remain in darkness  in the midst of light on two counts.

1.Either his eyes can not see, or

2  He has shut his eyes

3 His mind is clogged with ideas that oppose the truth

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The man who can be described as blind is the man who is still in his sins but listens to God’s word yet holding on to his sinful ways.1Pe 2:1 KJV Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:These sinful acts are like various infirmities in a person’s body . No matter how well he eats ,he will not grow strong because of the underlying sicknesses. He must cure himself of the sicknesses . This implies those sins must be completely put away before he can make good use of the food. Such people would study and never know the truth.

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The second group are those who have shut their eyes to the truth. These are those who do not necessarily have certain sins, but they have chosen not to believe the things that they may be reading. The cause of unbelief may be due to some scientific theories that hinder their ability to receive the truth of the word.

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The other cause of  their inability to come to the knowledge of  the truth is due to a wrong doctrine that they might have deep down in their minds. Such wrong teachings fight the truth, making them unable to surrender to the truth.

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Please help yourself by putting away all these hindrances to knowing the truth.

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THOUGHT:THE MEEK SHALL ALWAYS BE BLESSED

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Psa 25:9 KJV” The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”

Jas 4:7 KJV “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:5 KJV” Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

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The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes Rom 1:16. This is glorious news that brings salvation from eternal destruction, healing of our bodies from diseases and infirmities  ,deliverance from satanic and demonic power, freedom from lack and poverty, but many Christians have not experienced the power of the gospel. Sadly, a lot of the children of God are held in the chains of sin and sickness, and some are under satanic bondage.

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A number of the people of  God are very ignorant of the truths about their liberation from  the devil , while some have heard the truth but refuse to  believe the reality of this power of the gospel.

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There are certain individuals of the Christian sects, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who hold a form of godliness, but they deny the power of it. The bible says to have nothing to do with these groups who have a form of godliness but deny the power of it.

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A major cause of having a form of Godliness is unbelief. This can be caused by a lack of knowledge of the scriptures. A second cause of unbelief is a refusal to believe. Dear one, if your condition is a lack of much knowledge of the truth, then give attention to God’s word and build up your faith. If you are just refusing to believe tĥen repent of your unbelief and accept the truth of the word of God.

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The scriptures say if anyone has a form of religion or godliness, then stay away from him or them. Whenever people do not acknowledge the power of the gospel, it can have a very terrible influence on all those who associate with such people. You would soon trivialise the word of God to the point that you can not partake of the great power of God.

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THOUGHT:DO NOT TRIVIALIZE THE WORD OF GOD

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Mar 7:13 KJV” Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

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2Ti 3:7 KJV “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:1 KJV “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

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From our key scripture,we learn that  men would become lovers of themselves and so perilous times shall comeThe scripture goes ahead to talk about the various actions that would show they would love themselves.2Ti 3:2 KJV” For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,” In our last study we said men would begin to worship themselves. Anything that takes God’s place in  man’s life would destroy him. A covetous man would manipulate to get what belongs to others. He becomes a problem  to himself and to others.

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A young lady was poisoned by her friend because she had a new iPhone. How should a human being be killed because she was privileged to have an iPhone? This friend was so obsessed with envy through coveting what was another’s, such that she could plan to eliminate her from this life.

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Our nations have had crawling economies  because some politicians  have a political agenda to  earn one million dollars at the end of their first term. This one was rather  moderate. There  are some who have a stockpile of money in sacks in their rooms. Meanwhile, there are no good roads, school children sit under trees for classes , no hospital  beds  to accommodate  patients and a terrible transport system. Foreign investors who come with their own money to help are seriously frustrated with unreasonable demands. The result is pain, death and poverty for millions of citizens. These are real perilous times.

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Men would have a meaning to their existence if they turn their love for themselves to God. Loving God is deliverance, and  man would suddenly discover peace. Rom 5:1 KJV “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Our Lord Jesus died to deliver us from ourselves.

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Jerimiah 17:9 says   KJV” The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jesus death and resurrection is our solution to this wicked and deceptive heart of man.Dear one to live without surrendering your heart to God keeps  you ruled by selfishness that would suck life and true essence of living from you.There is no one  who is selfish and lives in peace. Every selfish man is a miserable person who would definitely   cause pain to others.Your only way out is to make Jesus Lord of your life.

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THOUGHT:JESUS IS THE TRUE ANSWER TO MAN’S CONFUSION

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Act 4:12 KJV” Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

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Mat 11:28 KJV” Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 3:1 KJV “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

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The Holy Spirit speaking through apostle Paul talks about perilous or difficult times in the last days. In this matter, he did not speak of natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, etc. These troubled times would be human-induced. He says in the latter days, sin would abound so much that most people would lose their fear and regard for God. Anytime men try to kick out the knowledge,  teaching and the principles of God, society slumps into serious moral decadence. Men lose the regard for their fellow men, and so they do not care what they do to their fellow men. All these proceed from men idolising themselves in place of God.

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Please note that a man without God is a complete failure. God created man to love, serve, and fellowship Him. This is the only way man finds true identity , true value and true fulfilment. The moment he gets out of the course with God, he turns to himself, yet that is not true; Satan and his demons rather take hold of him. There are only two masters that may rule men. God, the creator and true lover of His creation, and Satan, the adversary, liar, hater and deceiver of humanity. Sadly, men have fallen for satan’s deceit. Rev 12:9 KJV And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

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The name Satan means the adversary or enemy. He is the enemy of God and of men as well. It is very sad for any man to say he is a satanist. Sadly, they do not know that they are saying we are friends of our enemy. This is all because they are blinded (2 Corinthians 4:4) and deceived (John 8:44)

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Satan’s number one trick to enslave men is to cause them to focus on themselves. Self-worship  is Satan’s bait to trick men into his quagmire of bondage. I saw a video in which a woman says she is a dog trapped in the body of a human, so she has surgically changed some portions of her face to look like a dog, and then another human being has placed a chain around her neck to move around with her. As they moved, she stopped to urinate like dogs do when they go out with their masters.

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Seeing a fellow human in such a state, is it not traumatic enough? This is one of the perils that some human beings  are inflicting on other humans.

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THOUGHT: THE WORST MISTAKE ANY MAN WOULD MAKE IS TO REJECT JESUS

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Psa 14:1 KJV” To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

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Jer 17:9 KJV” The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:25 KJV” In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

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We continue with our discussion on those who oppose themselves.Why would a man oppose,or  do things that would hurt him  ?.These people do not know the grave dangers of the wrong usage of the tongue.The bible says the devil is like a roaring lion, going about seeking whom he may or can devour.( 1 Pet 5:8).Satan would have devoured every one if he had the right.He looks around for those who are opposing themselves, that is those who have broken the  hedge that God has placed around them.If your hedge is broken, as the scripture says the serpent who has been lurking around would bounce  on you and bite you.

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Let’s consider what the scripture says about an untamed tongue. Please remember that it is the unscriptural statements that people make that give them over to the enemy. James 3:6 KJV “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell”.Now let’s read this very scripture from the Passion Translation, James 3:6

And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickedness and is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body and is a hellish flame! It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence .”

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From the above verse, to those who do not use their tongue scripturally, the tongue is a fire. The negative words you say would tend to set you on fire. It says a perverse tongue is the most dangerous part of our body. It is also a hellish flame . These statements suggest that when you fail to agree with the scriptures to say negative words , you offer your tongue to the devil to use against yourself. Proverbs 15:4 says a wholesome tongue is a tree of life, while perverseness is a breach in the spirit. The word wholesome means a “healing ” tongue.

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THOUGHT: YOUR TONGUE HOLDS THE KEY TO YOUR GLORIOUS LIFE

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CONFESSION: God’s word properly confessed is the tonic of life. I keep declaring the word of God with faith in my heart. Indeed, the Lord is continually glorified ,and I always have what I say( Mark 11:23)

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Pro 18:20-21 KJV A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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Jas 3:2 KJV” For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

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KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ti 2:25 KJV” In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

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The Lord instructs ministers to exercise patience or, in meekness, instruct those who oppose themselves. Many who argue ignorantly against the word of God may be opposing themselves. To oppose yourself is to do and say things that give Satan easy access to attack and inflict all kinds of attacks and punishment on you. Many problems are self inflicted. Proverbs 18:21 says,” death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat its fruit thereof “

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The fruit of the mouth is the words that come out of the mouth. The man who complains about God bringing all the evil issues on him or her is seriously opposing himself or herself. This person may be expressing complaints against God for causing matters to go badly all around him. He is using his mouth to tear down every spiritual hedge around him. Ecc 10:8 KJV” He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” God places a hedge of protection around His people. Job 1:10 KJV “Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.”

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There is a hedge of protection around you. Words of complaint, words of fear and any negative anticipations are ways of opposing yourself. They give the enemy access to attack. Job suffered terribly  because he uncautiously opposed himself. Job 3:25-26 KJV” For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came”. He said he was afraid, that he was not quiet, and that he was not safe. These are words that rise up against you and break up the hedge of protection that God has raised around you.

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Dear child of God, you need to be meek to help those who may be ignorantly opposing themselves to learn the truth and come out of the error that would seriously affect them. Some of these people are so held up to their views that it takes lots of patience to help them out of their error.

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THOUGHT:DO NOT ALLOW YOUR MOUTH TO OPPOSE YOUR LIFE:

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CONFESSION: God’s word is the highest spiritual law that governs my life. I say only those things that glorify God and bring blessings of peace, health, wealth and excellence to me. My path shines brighter and brighter, and I live victoriously  always in Jesus name.

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Num 14:28 KJV” Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:”

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Jas 3:5 KJV” Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

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