“The Consequences of Stolen Words”

The Bible speaks often of stealing. In its various forms, the word ‘steal’ appears 44 times in the Bible (not to mention other similar words such as rob, covet, etc.).

There is an interesting passage in Jeremiah involving this idea of stealing. As with other such thoughts, this one condemns the thief. However, what makes the passage so interesting is the object said to be stolen and the one who did the stealing. The object was God’s words, and the thieves were those who claimed to be prophets. The passage reads: “Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbor” (Jer. 23:30).

When considered in our modern setting there are still those claiming to be ‘prophets’ who “steal” God’s words. They can be seen on television, heard on the radio and read from in print media. They claim to be spokesmen for God, yet their teachings are foreign to His Word. Since they substitute their own words they, in essence, steal God’s. The results of such actions are devastating, for they endanger the souls of those who would hear and follow their teachings.

Numerous are the false prophets of our day. Sadly, they convince many to follow them, to the detriment of their souls. Peter said of them: “…who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. and many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (2 Peter 2:1-2). The condemnation of God rests upon those who “steal his words”.

“THINGS MONEY CAN BUY”

Money can buy you a soul that is spiritually bankrupt: Prov. 11:4 – Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.

Money can buy you a heart of hatred: Prov. 15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Money can buy you a tongue that lies: Prov. 21:6 – The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.

Money can buy you a pocketbook of insecurity: Prov. 23:5 – Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

Money can buy you possessions that decay: Prov. 27:24 – For riches are not for ever; and doth the crown endure unto all generations?

Money can buy you an eternal home apart from God: Prov. 28:20 – A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

Money can buy you an eye of covetousness: Prov. 28:22 – He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

Money can buy you a life with no purpose: Prov. 30:8 – Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil. Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” ~ 1 Tim. 6:10

“THE IRONY OF EXCUSES”

A man was asked by a second man if he could borrow his lawnmower; the first man replied ‘No, I am baking a cake’; to which the second man stated, ‘what does baking a cake have to do with my borrowing your lawnmower’? The first man replied, ‘nothing, but when you need an excuse; one is as good as another’.

So likewise for the half-hearted disciple. God invites him to commune every week on Sunday, but he “has a cake to bake”. What does baking a cake have to do with worship? “Nothing, but when you need an excuse, one is as good as another.

Speaking of excuses for not assembling for worship; one is ‘as good as another’. The irony of excuses is seen when the same person uses opposite reasons to hide the truth about why he couldn't assemble to worship. The same person has been known to say one thing on one occasion, and the opposite thing on another occasion. 

For example, on one occasion, a man said:

· “I had a hard week at work” … but said on another occasion... “I needed to work”.

· “I had relatives show up” …  but said on another occasion... “I went to visit relatives”.

· “I’m sick and couldn't go out” … but said on another occasion... “it was such a beautiful day; I went out”.

·  “I went last week” … but said on another occasion... “I’ll go next week”.

·  “I overslept” … but said on another occasion... “I slept in”.

·  “I was on vacation” … but said on another occasion... “I need a vacation”.

Truly, “...wisdom is justified of all her children.” (Matt. 11:19; Lk. 7:35).

“COMPARE AND $AVE

When Jesus had taught in the temple, the Jews were astonished at how He could teach, not having been “trained”; i.e., “uneducated”; “not knowing letters”. (John 7:14-15). When they heard Peter and John teach, they were astonished at the confidence with which they taught, being unlearned and ignorant men. “And then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13). Any similarities in the teaching of Jesus with the teaching of Peter and John? What else would have made the Jews connect Peter and John as having been with Jesus?

Today, it is still true that teaching can connect one with Jesus. But it can also be proof that teaching is in error (false). The teachings of the Jews could not identify them with Moses because they did not teach what Moses taught, but taught traditions (Matt. 15:1-9).

The apostle Paul stated in 2 Thess. 2:15 – “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” Paul once taught things, that he later recognized as being in error (Gal. 1:14). But, when he began preaching “the faith which once he destroyed”, he was connected as having been with Jesus, for his teaching was no different from Jesus’ (1 Cor. 14:37). Today, teaching will either cause the preacher to be connected with Jesus’ teachings, or in error.

The responsibility is upon each person to compare what is taught today, with what was taught by Jesus and the apostles. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1).

“THE POWER OF AN INVITATION”

Brother Glenn L. McCullough was in the dairy business near Tupelo, Mississippi. Mr. A.D. Prince was a salesman from Memphis who regularly called on him for needed supplies. One day, Mr. Prince arrived at brother McCullough's farm rather late in the afternoon. He was told he would have to come back the next day because there was a gospel meeting at the Gloster Street church of Christ that night and he was getting ready to attend. Mr. Prince said that was fine and agreed to come back the next day. As he was leaving, brother McCullough thought, “I should ask him to attend our gospel meeting.”

He invited the salesman to attend the gospel meeting. Mr. Prince agreed and attended three nights of the gospel meeting conducted by Jack Meyer. Even though he did not obey the gospel at this time, he eventually did and later became an elder in the church.

Years later, both men contacted terminal diseases. Brother Prince went to visit brother McCullough. Brother McCullough said, “I want to thank you for inviting me to the gospel meeting that night. If it had not been for your invitation, I probably would never have heard the gospel and become a Christian. It was your invitation that made it possible for my family, my grandchildren, and me to become Christians. I will be forever grateful.”

What might have happened to the Prince family if brother McCullough had reasoned, “I ought to invite this salesman to the gospel meeting, but I know it won’t do any good?” There is power in an invitation to hear the gospel (Matt. 22:9). 

“GOD, THE FAITHFUL GOD”

“Thus Jehovah saved Israel that day…Israel saw the great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared Jehovah: and they believed in Jehovah…” (Exod. 14:30-31). 

Pharaoh said in his hardened pride of the Israelites, “My desire shall be satisfied upon them…” (Exod. 15:9). Instead, Jehovah’s desire was satisfied upon Pharaoh (Exod. 14:4).

Centuries later, Jesus declared, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt. 12:37). It proved true with Pharaoh and true of all who opposed the will of Jehovah before and after Pharaoh. The song of Moses (Exod. 15) reflects the ultimate end of the wicked. They prosper initially as Jesus explained in Luke 16:7, “…the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light”. However, the sowing and reaping principle applies to the wicked in like manner as it does to the righteous: “He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much” (Luke 16:10). When Jehovah’s wrath came as the waters returned, both Egyptians and the Israelites acknowledged the power of Jehovah (Exod. 14:25, 30).

It is sad to read that, afterward, many in Israel met the same fate as the Egyptians (cf. Psalm 106). Faith looks both backward and forward (Heb. 11:1). The Israelites’ deliverance gives assurance that Jehovah fulfills His promises. It is through these promises that we “become partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:4). God is faithful to His words. “God keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…” (Deut. 7:9). What about you? 

“BAPTISM IN THE SEA: A FORESHADOWING”

 

There are many lessons to be learned from the Red Sea crossing. While encamped at the Red Sea, Pharaoh again hardened his heart and pursued “with a high hand” (Exod. 14:8). Israel was hemmed in. Jehovah commanded Israel, “Go forward” (Exod. 14:15). Two words, small in content, yet great in power. The greatness was attributed to the source—Jehovah. Moses lifted his rod, stretched out his hand over the sea, parting it, and the Israelites crossed on dry land. When the Egyptians followed, Jehovah received honor upon Pharaoh (Exod. 14:15-18). The results were exactly as Jehovah foretold.

God’s ways are always aligned with His eternal purpose (Heb. 1:1-2). Pharaoh’s rise to power was with purpose (Rom. 9:17). God purposed to baptize both nations, yet God’s purpose for both baptisms differed. Israel humbled their heart and entered in faith (1 Cor. 10:3-4). Egypt hardened their heart and entered in rebellion. When God’s word is despised, “iniquity shall break suddenly” (Isa. 30:13). Their purposes for baptism mattered.

In Rom. 9:21-23 we read about vessels of wrath and of mercy. Both vessels carry out God’s will. Pharaoh prospered for a reason but only for a season. Israel suffered for a reason but for a season. Faith must be exercised in submission, not in rebellion. (2 Peter. 1:5-11). Which vessel will you be in God’s plan?

This story foreshadows the baptism Christ commanded in the gospel. Let us never assume that Christ’s command for baptism is without purpose (Rom. 6:3-5).  Neither Israel nor Egypt was saved before their baptism; only one was baptized in faith and emerged saved. Going forward in faith will always produce the same two results: rejoicing for those whom God saves; and honor for God (read Psalm 66).