The Top Ten: The Third Commandment
Integrity Bud Wrenn 7.10.11
Mindset shifts in shaping Priorities:
1) Physical to spiritual.
2) Sight to Faith.
3) Urgency to Importance.
4) Greed to generosity.
Exodus 20:7 You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Three levels of negative speech:
1) Idle talk, i.e. cheap talk, gossip, off color humor, profanity
Titus 1:10-11 (NLT) 10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NLT) 11 Yet
we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling
in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own
living.
3 As for the rest of you, dear brothers
and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
2) Vanity - Taking God and His holiness lightly.
The Holiness of God's Name(s)
El-Shaddai “God of the Mountains” or “The Almighty God.”
El-Elyon “The Most High God” or “The Exalted One”
El-Olam “God of Eternity” or “God the Everlasting One”
El-Berith “God of the Covenant”
El-Roi “God who Sees me” or “God of Vision” (Gen. 16:13). God sees needs of His people and responds.
Elohim A plural form for deity.
1 Timothy
6:3-4 (NLT) 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are
the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly
life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and
lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the
meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division,
slander, and evil suspicions.
3) Blasphemy - Speaking against God and His holiness.
Leviticus
24:16 (NLT) 16 Anyone who blasphemes the
Name of the LORD must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel. Any
native-born Israelite or foreigner among you who blasphemes the Name of the
LORD must be put to death.
Matthew 12:31-32 (NLT) 31 “Every sin and blasphemy
can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be
forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be
forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,
either in this world or in the world to come.
How can we transform our speech
Ask Jesus to change the way you think about Him.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Commit to
learn and communicate truth only.
Ephesians
4:25 (NLT) 25 So stop telling lies. Let
us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Become one about whom it is said, "He/she never says anything bad about anybody."
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ask Jesus to change the way you think about others.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.