A Short Note from My Devotions on Matthew 23

This is the chapter I studied this morning.

We all need to read the Bible, study the Bible, think about the verses, and apply the teaching. 

Matthew 23

What does this mean?

Jesus teaches against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a lie. God wants truth. There must be a match between what we say and what we do. 

We are not to seek honor. All honor goes to Messiah. We are brothers and sisters. We do not want to elevate people, for they probably will get proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 

Jesus then gives a number of examples. He exposes these religious leaders. He does this for two reasons. The first reason is to expose their sin, so they can repent. The second is to warn others both not to follow these false leaders and also not to be like them. 

Likewise, Jesus exposes the sins of the Pharisees and Scribes, whom one would expect to be the most knowledgeable and most compliant. 

Verse 23 is often used to teach the tithe. This verse is descriptive of what the Pharisees and Scribes are supposed to do. The verse is not prescriptive of we are to do. The Scriptures teach us to give as the Lord has blessed us (2 Corinthians 9:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2). 

The Pharisees and Scribes were meticulous in ceremonial law but neglectful of moral law. They also were exposed as considering small things as very important but very important things to be of little importance. They were also careful of outward righteousness but little attention was spent on inward righteousness. 

Verse 34 the Lord Jesus is the one who sends. 

Verse 37: Jesus wanted all to repent, but He states it, “They would not.” No one has any excuse. It's my understanding that verse 

39 will happen at the end of the 7 year tribulation when those Jews left in Jerusalem will believe.

How do I apply this to my life?

Help me, O Lord.

A Few Thoughts About Anger

Definitions:

B1 English:

C1 A strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism—Merriam-Webster

C2 Wrath is strong emotional anger and usually with action.

B2 Hebrew:

C1 אַף ʼaph (H639). It means properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire.

D1 1 Samuel 20:34 NET Jonathan got up from the table enraged. He did not eat any food on that second day of the new moon, for he was upset that his father had humiliated David.

D2 Psalms 103:8 WEB Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

C2 חֵמָה chêmâh (H2534). It means heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever

D1 Jeremiah 23:19 NET But just watch! The wrath of the LORD will come like a storm! Like a raging storm it will rage down on the heads of those who are wicked.

D2 Proverbs 19:19 NET A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again.

B3 Greek:

C1 ὀργή orgḗ (G3709) properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment

D1 John 3:36 WEB One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

D2 Mark 3:5 WEB When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

C2 θυμός thymós (G2372) it means passion, hot anger, wrath (Greek Lexicon Of The New Testament).

D1 Hebrews 11:27 BSB By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.

D2 Revelation of John 12:12 BSB Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”

D3 Revelation of John 14:8 LEB And another second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who caused all the nations to drink from the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

Two types

B1 Sinful:

C1 Matthew 5:22 WEL But I tell you that whoever is angry with his brother or sister without a just reason will be in danger of The Judgment, and whoever says to his brother, “Raca,” will be in danger of the Council, but whoever says, “You fool!” Will be in danger of Gehenna fire. [Emphasis is mine]

C2 John 15:25 MKJV But that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, "They hated Me without a cause."

B2 Not sinful

C1 Mark 3:5 NRSV He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

C2 Ephesians 4:26 NRSV Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

The Lord Jesus was angry. He did not sin. So we learn

B1 The Lord Jesus being both 100% human and 100% God was angry.

B2 There is an angry that is correct and not sinful.

B3 There needs to be a cause.

B4 In abuse, there is a cause. In fact, it is a crime that must be reported to law enforcement. This is to prevent others from being hurt.

B5 Some causes:

C1 The hardness of their heart. The Lord Jesus had shown and taught the people who He is. He shows compassion to help this man. He shows He wants to clarify their misunderstanding of their interpretation of Mosaic Law. But, the people would not listen, they would not have compassion, they would not discuss the Scriptures, they would not answer His questions. It was their understanding, their interpretation that was correct and no other. They wouldn’t even look up the Scriptures!

C2 Deliberate breaking of God’s Law:

D1 Moses: Exodus 32:19 NRSV As soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets from his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.

D2 Nehemiah: Nehemiah 13:25 NRSV And I contended with them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair; and I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.

Reference: Exodus 34:15-16 NRSV You shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone among them will invite you, and you will eat of the sacrifice.  16  And you will take wives from among their daughters for your sons, and their daughters who prostitute themselves to their gods will make your sons also prostitute themselves to their gods.

C3 God’s punishment. He is King of the Universe and King of all kings. He is the Law Giver and Judge. Break His law, and there is punishment: Micah 5:14-15 NRSV and I will uproot your sacred poles from among you and destroy your towns. 15 And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.

C4 Government punishment: Romans 13:3-4 NRSV For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; 4 for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.

C5 King Saul against the Ammonites. Note, the Spirit of God came upon King Saul. 1 Samuel 11:5-6 NRSV Now Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen; and Saul said, "What is the matter with the people, that they are weeping?" So they told him the message from the inhabitants of Jabesh. 6 And the spirit of God came upon Saul in power when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.

C6 Jonathan. His father, King Saul, wanted to kill David for crimes that David did not do. There was no cause for King Saul to do this. When he tried to kill David, Jonathan was very angry. He had a cause to be angry at this injustice as is defined by God’s law. 1 Samuel 20:31-34 NRSV For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." 32 Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" 33 But Saul threw his spear at him to strike him; so Jonathan knew that it was the decision of his father to put David to death. 34 Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, and because his father had disgraced him.

B6 Anger is destructive, so God gives instruction to not go to bed angry. Ephesians 4:26 ESV Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger

Anger which is sin is when someone is angry due to misunderstanding. Anger which is sin is if someone is controlling, abusive, hurting emotionally or verbally to coerce another’s actions or belief, etc. Many times they hurt someone by anger just because they can.

If we are angry, some helps

B1 If it is due to a misunderstanding, clarification is needed. Calmly discuss the situation with that person. Don’t bring it up for all to see, hear, or read.

B2 If it is from an abuser who is abusing in any way, leave. Do not argue with an abuser, for that only causes more trouble. Abusers can repent, but probably 99% will not.

B3 Pray. God gives grace and peace to help. We must actively calm our mind by not thinking about this when we lay down to sleep.

C1 Colossians 3:2 NRSV Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,

C2 Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

B4 Give our anxieties to God. The devil wants to destroy us. So we must be aware. 1 Peter 5:6-8 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

B5 Realize God is compassionate and understanding of those under stress:

C1 Matthew 11:28 NRSV Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

C2 Psalms 107:6 NRSV Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

C3 John 16:33 NRSV I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"

B6 Then do some of the usually recommended things as listen to calming music, take a walk, listen to the sounds of nature, etc.

A Few Thoughts on Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9

Acts 9:7 KJV And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 22:9 KJV And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

Is this a contradiction?

B1 Hearing a voice

B2 Not hearing a voice

Greek

B1 Acts 9:7 …ἀκούοντες μὲν τῆς φωνῆς...

B2 Acts 22:9 ...δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν τοῦ λαλοῦντός μοι…

Same words but Acts 9:7 they hear and in Acts 22:9 they do not hear

Acts 22:9 adds this part however...τοῦ λαλοῦντός μοι.

Acts 9:7 the words hearing the voice does not mention any speaking, just a voice, that is, sound. In Acts 22:9 they did not hear, that is understand, the voice speaking with me. That is in both verses they heard something, but they did not discern, that is, understand the speaker. They heard the speaker but did not understand what he was saying.

Other’s comments

B1 Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges:

ἤκουσα φωνῆς, I heard a voice. As in chap. Acts 9:4; Acts 9:7, so here, and below in Acts 22:9, the case of the noun is varied, so as to mark that the hearing in St Paul’s case was different from the hearing of his companions. The verb can be connected with either a genitive or accusative case. In both the narratives a variation is made, and it was not without its significance (see notes on chap. 9). St Paul heard intelligible words, the others heard a sound, but it was not speech to them. Cf. the narrative in Daniel 10:6-9.

B2 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers:(9) They heard not the voice . . .—i.e., they did not hear it as a voice uttering articulate words. It was for them as though it thundered. (See Notes on Acts 9:7, and John 12:29.)

B3 Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament: But they heard not the voice (την δε πωνην ουκ ηκουσαν — tēn de phōnēn ouk ēkousan). The accusative here may be used rather than the genitive as in Acts 22:7 to indicate that those with Paul did not understand what they heard (Acts 9:7) just as they beheld the light (Acts 22:9), but did not see Jesus (Acts 9:7). The difference in cases allows this distinction, though it is not always observed as just noticed about Acts 22:14; Acts 26:14. The verb ακουω — akouō is used in the sense of understand (Mark 4:33; 1 Corinthians 14:2). It is one of the evidences of the genuineness of this report of Paul‘s speech that Luke did not try to smooth out apparent discrepancies in details between the words of Paul and his own record already in ch. 9.

B4 Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament: Acts 22:9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. Much has been said as to the seeming discrepancy between the statement here that Paul’s companions ‘heard not the voice of Him that spoke to me,’ and the words in the narrative, chap. Acts 9:7, ‘hearing a voice.’ Dr. J. A. Alexander well explains this apparent difference: ‘There is a distinction between hearing a voice speak and hearing what it says, as nothing is more common in our public bodies than the complaint that the speaker is not heard, i.e. that his words are not distinguished, though his voice may be audible and even loud. It might be said with equal truth, that Paul’s companions heard the voice, i.e. knew that it was speaking, and that they did not hear it, i.e. did not know what it said. See St. John’s Gospel, John 12:29, where a similar confusion seems to have occurred in the listeners’ minds. Here as there, the Divine Voice to the ordinary bystander was a voice, but not one uttering articulate words.

A Few Thoughts About Light

John 3:19-21 NIV This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Light is understood in Scripture as

B1 Pure

C1 Purity is defined as something being 100% with 0% impurities.

C2 God’s words are pure: Psalm 12:6 WEB The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

C3 God’s wisdom: James 3:17 NLT But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

B2 Truth: Psalm 43:3 NASB O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.

B3 Holiness

C1 Here we see the contrast between darkness and light. It is the Lord who brings into the light. We see His righteousness and our unrighteousness. Micah 7:8-9 NLT Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. 9 I will be patient as the LORD punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The LORD will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.

B4 Clarity

C1 Uncovers what is hidden

C2 Opening the heart and mind to truth

C3 Psalm 119:130 NIV The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

C4 Psalm 18:28 NLT You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.

B5 God’s glory and character

C1 1 John 1:5 NIV This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

C2 Ezekiel 43:2 BSB and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.

B6 God’s kingdom (Kingdom of Light)

C1 Colossians 1:13 NLT For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

C2 Acts 26:18 BSB to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

B7 Guidance: Proverbs 6:23 ASV For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

C1 God’s commandments instruct us in what is right/lawful and wrong/unlawful.

C2 Principles are taught helping us make wise decisions.

C3 Instructions given as reproofs are positive criticisms instead of shaming.

B8 Victory:

C1 Psalm 27:1 BSB The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

D1 War is not very successful if all the soldiers are blind.

D2 The spiritual life is a battle.

C2 God gives us light to know where and how to fight (Ephesians 6:10-17)

C3 Micah 7:8 BSB Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

B9 Bringing light into the unsaved soul, freeing the will and understanding.

C1 John 1:9 NASB There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

C2 Acts 16:14 BSB Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

C3 Psalms 107:13-14 BSB Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains.

B10 Blessing

C1 John 1:5 NRSV The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Darkness is understood in Scripture as

B1 Impurity: Ephesians 5:11 NET Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

B2 Lies

C1 Some people have a different persona in public than they do in private. This life, this person, is a lie in darkness: Mark 4:22 NLT For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

B3 Sin

C1 Rebellion and Despising God’s counsel: Psalms 107:10-11 BSB Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.

C2 John 3:19 NRSV And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

C3 Proverbs 4:19 NLT But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

B4 Obscurity

C1 Blinds to the truth of the Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:4 BSB The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

C2 Living by the lifestyle and worldview of darkness: 1 John 2:11 NRSV But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

B5 Devil’s shame and character: If God is light and no darkness in Him, then it is reasonable to accept that the devil is darkness and there is no light in him.

B6 Devil’s kingdom (Kingdom of Darkness)

C1 Colossians 1:13 NLT For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

C2 Ephesians 6:12 WEB For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

B7 Confusion: Isaiah 5:20 NIV Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

B8 Defeat: Psalms 143:3-4 BSB For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead. My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.

B9 Brings darkness into the soul

C1 Matthew 6:23 NRSV but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

C2 Ephesians 4:18 NRSV They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.

B10 Judgment

C1 Amos 5:20 NRSV Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

C2 Matthew 8:12 BSB But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

C3 Acts 13:11 NRSV And now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand.

Some things we learn:

B1 No mixing of the two is allowed: 2 Corinthians 6:14 NRSV Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness?

B2 Darkness does not win, overpower, or overcome light: John 1:5 WEL The light keeps on shining in the darkness, and the darkness can’t overcome it

B3 God has no darkness: 1 John 1:5 NLT This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

B4 Our worldview and lifestyle is totally different than the kingdom of darkness: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 NLT For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

An explanation: God is said to be living in thick darkness: 1 Kings 8:12 CSB Then Solomon said: The LORD said that he would dwell in total darkness.

B1 The Hebrew word total darkness is עֲרָפֶל ʻărâphel.

B2 It means a thick, heavy cloud.

B3 Our example would be our sun is very bright. A thick cloud hides the sun from direct sight. The sun is not in darkness. God is not in darkness, but there is a cloud between our sight and God.

B4 God lives in light: 1 John 1:7 NLT But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

A Few Thoughts About Discernment

Knowing truth from lies

A1 The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.

B1 Truth is reality. It is the plain correspondence theory of truth.

B2 It is most reasonable to believe this about the Bible because of Jesus. Did He exist? Did He do what is written about Him? Are the Gospels true history? Were the Gospels written in the middle first century?

B3 It’s reasonable to consider knowing the Bible well will result in knowing good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 WEL But solid food belongs to those who are mature having their spiritual senses exercised through use to discern both good and evil.

C1 Someone who is mature, that is, full grown on the food of Bible study will have their spiritual senors mature, too.

C2 Spiritual senses=

D1 The Greek word αἰσθητήριον aisthētḗrion.

D2 It means "145 (aisthētērion, neuter noun) focuses on the principle of sense and especially its result. 144 /aísthēsis (the feminine cognate) is the brand of sense-discernment which shrewdly sizes things up. 145 (aisthētḗrion) is "the concrete organ of sense, becoming virtually a habitual ability which must be developed and enables believers to distinguish between the spirits. It is a spiritual gift which must be developed in practice" (DNTT, 2, 391).

D3 This particular sensor is used to distinguish good from evil. Both good and evil are based on God’s standard.

C3 Exercised means exercised. Physical exercise has good effects. Spiritual exercise does too. The more spiritual exercise we do, the stronger we become.

C4 The Greek word for discern is διάκρισις diákrisis. It means 1253 diákrisis (from 1252 /diakrínō, see there) – properly, a thorough judgment, i.e. a discernment (conclusion) which distinguishes "look-alikes," i.e. things that appear to be the same. (Note the intensifying force of the prefix, dia.) See also 1252 (diakrínō).

C5 By Bible reading, study, thinking about it, memorizing, and living it has a great effect on us. We will be able to distinguish good from evil.

A2 The interpretation of the Bible

B1 The plain, normal sense consistently

B2 Recognizing the historical and cultural settings

B3 Recognizing prescriptive from descriptive passages

A3 The basics we must know

B1 The basic summary of what we must do: Matthew 22:37-40 MKJV Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

B2 It includes all that God speaks: Matthew 4:4 MKJV But He answered and said, It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

B3 When the Bible quotes someone whether king or commoner, the quote is accurate. The quote may or may not be truth. Example: Matthew 9:33-34 MKJV And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb one spoke. And multitudes marveled, saying, Never was it seen like this in Israel! 34 But the Pharisees said, He throws out demons by the ruler of the demons.

A4 The importance of personal learning. Instead of reading commentators, listening to teachers, going to meetings, we must daily study the Scriptures themselves.

A5 The importance of meditating on and studying Scripture

B1 Studying

C1 Ezra did: Ezra 7:10 GW Ezra was determined to study the LORD's Teachings, live by them, and teach their rules and regulations in Israel.

C2 The Psalmist did by reflecting on Scripture: Psalms 119:15 GW I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways.

C3 Correct study and interpretation leads to staying in the truth instead of wandering away: 2 Timothy 2:15-18 PickNT Make every effort to render yourself approved by God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, handling the Word of the Truth correctly. 16 But shun godless, empty chatter, because those who do it will become increasingly godless, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene—among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the Truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they overturn the faith of some.

B2 Meditating on Scripture is not passive that is bypassing the brain, going into a trance, seeking the wisdom masters of the spirit world, etc. All those things of not God’s way and are condemned. Scripture meditation is active. It is like brain exercises as we study. Joshua 1:8 NIV Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

B3 Example:

C1 Verse: Hebrews 5:12-14 MKJV For indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For everyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who because of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

C2 Simple, brief interpretation:

D1 Milk and solid food. A diet of milk in associated with a baby. Solid food is associated with someone mature.

D2 Applied to spiritual knowledge and understanding, a diet of milk means one is unskillful with the Scriptures like an infant. A diet of solid food means the person will have their senses exercised in discernment.

D3 Discernment refers to recognizing God’s way from some other way. God’s beliefs from some other belief, and God’s lifestyle from some other lifestyle.

D4 Actively thinking about this verse, studying its meaning, its cross references, etc. produces knowledge. Knowledge applied to a situation is wisdom.

A6 Study leads to spiritual growth in discernment for individuals and the congregation

B1 Apostles studied: Acts 6:3&7 MKJV Therefore, brothers, look out among you seven men being witnessed to, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this duty...7 And the word of God was increasing. And the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplying exceedingly; even a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

B2 Humans words do not last, but God’s word does: Acts 12:23-24 MKJV And immediately the angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory. And he was eaten by worms and gave up the spirit. 24 But the Word of God grew and increased. [Emphasis is mine]

B3 Spread around: Acts 13:49 MKJV And the Word of the Lord was carried throughout all the country.

B4 Bears fruit: Colossians 1:5-6 MKJV for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you as it has also in all the world, and it is bearing fruit, even also among you, since the day you heard and fully knew the grace of God in truth,

B5 Heard in reading and teaching has a great effect: I Thessalonians 2:13 MKJV And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe.

A7 Discernment

B1 We are to pray for it as Solomon did: 1 Kings 3:9 WEB Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?”

B2 Our love is to grow. This love is not just tolerance. It is a love with the conditions of knowledge and understanding. Thus, we won’t just love everything and everyone but will have discernment. Philippians 1:9-10 ISV And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more in full knowledge and perfect insight, 10 so that you may be able to determine what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

C1 The word discernment is the Greek word αἴσθησις aísthēsis. It means properly, the brand of sense-discernment which "cuts through" hazy ethical (moral) matters to really "size things up" .

C2 Thus, knowing God’s standards, we can decide if something is godly or ungodly.

C3 We give praise to God by our actions and give witness to His truth.

B3 We are commanded to test all things: I Thessalonians 5:21 BSB but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

B4 Discernment is a regular activity in the Christian life. See Jesus’s rebuke of the religious frauds:

C1 Luke 12:54-57 GW Jesus said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you immediately say, 'There's going to be a rainstorm,' and it happens. 55 When you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and that's what happens. 56 You hypocrites! You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of earth and sky. But for some reason you don't know how to judge the time in which you're living. 57 So why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

C2 Simon, a Pharisee, was asked by the Lord Jesus to judge: Luke 7:43 GW Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled." Jesus said to him, "You're right!"

B5 This is the reason we must know the Bible well: Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

All of our Christian life is one of discernment. Is this teaching, activity, belief, congregation, preacher, etc. safe? By knowing, studying, and applying the truths of Scripture, we can prevent much heart grief.

A Few Thoughts About Christ’s Respect for the Church

I’m writing this article in response to those who teach that husbands are to love their wives but not respect them, and those who teach the wife is to respect her husband. Respect, the way some of these teachers define it, borders on the idea of entitlement. Believe it or not it is rather common. One such book is Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. One of many critical reviews can be found here (note, I don’t endorse everything on that website).

Christ is head of the church:

B1 Ephesians 5:23 NIV For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

B2 Ephesians 1:22 NIV And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

The church is all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture

B1 Ephesians 1:23 NIV which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

B2 Romans 12:4-5 NLT Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Christ is the bridegroom, the church is the bride (as understood by most commentators):

B1 Revelation 19:7-8 LEB Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. 8 And it has been granted to her that she be dressed in bright, clean fine linen (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).

B2 2 Corinthians 11:2 NLT For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

Christ respects his “wife,” the church:

B1 Christ’s style of leadership is to delegate

C1 Proverbs 31:10-31 (The NLT gives the best rendition)

D1 The husband delegates managing the house to his wife: Proverbs 31:11 NLT Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

E1 The Hebrew word for trust is בָּטַח bâṭach.

E2 It means not to fear, have trust, have confidence in

D2 The wife assesses what needs to be done

D3 The wife delegates what needs to be done to her maids (servants), who do the work: Proverbs 31:15 NLT She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls.

D4 The wife goes out of the house to buy land, “makes sure her dealings are profitable,” and “she gives instructions with kindness.”

D5 She overseers the work done in the house: Proverbs 31:27 GW She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.

D6 She receives the credit for doing her work well: Proverbs 31:31 NLT Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

C2 God delegates

D1 Rule as with Adam & Eve: Genesis 1:26 CSB Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth." (Adam lost this when he sinned. So satan in now the power. The Lord Jesus will finish satan and destroy him totally, then the Lord Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem. See Zechariah 14 especially: Zechariah 14:9, 17 NLT And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshiped. ... 17 Any nation in the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, will have no rain).

D2 Rule as in human government: Romans 13:1 GW Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn't been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God

D3 Administrators of the congregation: Acts 20:28 NET Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

D4 All of us for discipling: Ephesians 4:11-13 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God - a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full stature.

D5 Jesus as Messiah and Redeemer: Luke 22:42 NIV Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

D6 Remember that God gives us the grace to accomplish what He wants from us: Philippians 2:13 NIV for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

B2 Christ assigns the church to reign. If the Church is the bride, then Jesus gives us the example to follow.

C1 Revelation 20:6 NIV Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

C2 2 Timothy 2:12 NIV if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;

C3 Revelation 5:10 NET You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

B3 Christ treats the wife as He wants to be treated Himself: Matthew 19:19 NIV honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"

B4 Christ does not control; He delegates.

One verse, taken out of context, that is a proof text for these types of teachers is Ephesians 5:24 NET But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Knowing all what I wrote above and the critical review, how can this verse mean that the wife must do everything her husband tells us. Remember now, everything.

B1 The Bible understands the meaning of everything to be everything pleasing to God, as God acts, and as lawful. If the husband commands her to sin, she must not obey him.

B2 Christ’s leadership style is not a dictator but a delegator.

B3 The abusive, so-called, Marriage Enrichment type books have it so, so wrong.

B4 Submit in English means: intransitive verb 1a: to yield oneself to the authority or will of another : SURRENDER

B4 In Greek the word is ὑποτάσσω hypotássō. It means to place under: 6. to obey, be subject A Greek military term meaning to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader. In non-military use, it was a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.

C1 So the word does NOT mean using force of position, voice, strength, etc.

C2 It carries the meaning of cooperating, taking responsibility, and carrying out our tasks.

Too many teachers leave out the context of Ephesians 5:24. So, here it is: Ephesians 5:21-24 NLT And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. [Emphasis is mine]

We are not to be the dictator, enforcer, bully, abuser, despot, authoritarian, etc.

All marriages are either Christian or controlling. If it is controlling, it is not Christian. If it is Christian, it is not controlling. Some links about this here, here, and All Power and Control Regimes Share the Same Basic Characteristics.

We are to be cooperative, working on problems together, rejoicing together, giving each other advice, respecting each other, loving each other, etc. If there is a final disagreement (a tie), then it is best to seek outside counsel from multiple people, not just one.

God HATES abuse. The wife is often blamed for difficulties in the home.

B1 This is outwardly treats his wife nicely, but in private, it is a totally different thing: Malachi 2:16 ISV “Indeed, the Lord God of Israel says that he hates divorce, along with the one who conceals his violence by outward appearances,” says the Lord of the Heavenly Armies. “So guard yourselves carefully, and don’t be unfaithful.”

B2 God hates abusers: 1 Corinthians 6:910 WEL Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived, for neither fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, active homosexual partners, 10 Thieves, covetous, drunkards, verbal abusers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

B3 God hates harsh treatment of anyone: Colossians 3:19 NLT Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. [Emphasis is mine]

A husband is to respect his wife. Avoid teachers that teach otherwise.

B1 Adam needed help. God created Adam that way. Genesis 2:18 NLT Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

B2 Adam needed God’s help.

B3 Adam needed Eve’s help.

B4 A wife is a good counselor. What human knows us better and wishes the best for us. (I do realize some wives are domestic abusers, too). Even if we disagree with them, we need to listen and understand what they are saying. We are not to consider ourselves too worthy to listen to her.

B5 Consider what Eggerichs apparently believes, How should a wife act if she strongly disagrees with her husband about some issue? 1Timothy 2:12 has some advice. Paul writes, “I do not allow a woman to exercise authority over a man but to remain quiet.” (p.220). (Source. Note, I do not have the book. I have not read the book).

B6 God gives our wives (sisters in Christ) spiritual gifts just like the brothers.

C1 Bible verses on gifts

D1 1 Corinthians 12

D2 Romans 12

D3 1 Peter 4:10-11 CSB Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God's words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

C2 Proverbs 12:15 LEB The way of a fool is upright in his own eyes, but he who listens to advice is wise.

B7 Decisions are best made in a multitude of counselors. At the beginning, the multitude of counselors are God and Eve.

C1 Proverbs 11:14 NKJV Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

C2 Proverbs 15:22 NKJV 2 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

B6 Read Proverbs 31:10-31 again and note how the husband needed the wife’s help. He could not do everything. He respected her and gave her credit for what she has done, is doing, and will do.

Isaiah 8:20 WEB Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

Acts 17:11 CSB The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.