Monday, October 22, 2018

(10/22/2018) Saying "In God's Name"





Today, reply is on blasphemy, discipline for speech and thought, and casually using the phrase “in Gods name.” Using mild expletives (e.g., dang!; darn!; shucks!) are thought to make one colorful and memorable, yet, undermine control and self-discipline. Cursing, swearing, and threatening are not the only forms of speech that introduce division, nourish immaturity, and trigger violence within the family circle and in the home. Thoughtful Christians also will stay on guard against blasphemy, exaggeration, irreverence, and lying. Properly understood, ones speech and thoughts are to continually display Christlikeness, and minister to others such elements as admonition, blessing, comfort, correction, praise, prayer, prophecy, teaching, and thanksgiving. The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality public forum who uses the ID “Katie J.” (Level 1 with 3 points, a member since April 22, 2010) posted the following:



When is it appropriate to ask questions in God’s name?
My nine year old son just learned about asking questions in God’s name and has been having an absolute field day with it. He asks everything from “where in God’s name should we order pizza from?” to “where in God’s name is the salt shaker?” and “when in God’s name was the last time the dog went out to pee?”. I asked him to chill with it and he just asked me “why in God’s name should I stop?” and I didn’t have a real answer for him. Is there certain criteria to ask things in God’s name? I need to make sure I have the rule right before I go tell him and he asks “where in God’s name did I learn that?” It’s getting out of hand.



THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? (Matthew 26: 59-68, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Bible Definitions Of Sin (10/01/2018); Power Of The Tongue (01/04/2018); Christianity Is Not Mindless (05/02/2017); “Good grief!” and Prophecy? (11/06/2016); Freedom of Foul Speech (09/10/2014); Dating and Worship? (09/11/2014); Blasphemy Against the GODhead (05/06/2014); Offenses to GODhead (05/07/2014); Acknowledging Divinity? (03/30/2013)



Katie J.”, sinners who choose to become “developing Christians” are encouraged to change their patterns of speech and thought so that their consciousness can become filled by, and continually give expression to the Spirit of GOD. Because believers are to avoid casual use of language that may be regarded as “cheap talk” and hurtful (e.g., pronouncing curses, exaggeration, gossip, lies, obscenity, profanity, rumors, slander, vulgarity), many also avoid insults, “ranking”, slang, and the use of expletives (i.e., expressions of surprise) that may include OMY Gosh/O my God/OMG.

Within the household of faith the goal of achieving spiritual maturity and becoming ripe for harvest by the Lord at his coming (i.e., the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming) is met through emphasis upon accountability, consistency, duty, respect, sacred practice, and unselfishness. This purpose also will be seen in the careful use of words to acknowledge the awesomeness of divinity, maintain godliness, and continually convey reverence (we say awe; fear of the Lord). Where believers use the phrase “in the name of the Lord” there are multiple meanings. Included are, I ask/command/require/speak as (1) an anointed agent, representative, or spokesperson from the Lord; (2) in obedience to the Lord; (3) having authority from the Lord; and (4) on pain of divine judgment against you. Consider again the following that uses language from the holy writings:

(1.) Proverbs 10: 18-20, King James Version (KJV): 18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

(2.) James 3: 6-14, KJV: 6 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. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

(3.) Hebrews 13: 15, KJV: 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Matthew 12: 30-37, KJV: 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 33 Either 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. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A 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. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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