VAIN BABBLINGS
2) I have been observing some real dissension among the Body of Christ on various issues. What the various issues pertain to is not the point. The point is the dissension. I just yesterday read a sweet blogger who is struggling with home schooling her children for the first time and apparently she is being criticised by other home school mom's for even questioning this. Several months ago there was a real confab going among some about breast feeding vs bottle feeding. The most recent issues seems to be around the political arena. Some of us conservatives (of which I am one) getting cross wise versus voting for McCain, now that he is the Republican candidate for President, or not voting at all or writing in another name as a protest. And the democrats getting into it about the Michigan and Florida primary votes, or lack thereof.
All you who read and follow my blog know I am one to stand and give my opinion on various issues.............I think we all not only have the right to do so, but to a certain extent, a responsibility to do so. That said, I do think that while we should state our opinion we should allow others to do likewise and not get into "profane and vain babblings" which according to the above scripture lead to ungodliness on ANY of these, or a mired of other issues.
"profane" = not concerned with religion: secular
"vain" = having no real value, worthless
"babblings" - To talk unwisely or too much
Yes, lets voice our opinions and state our views and then let us allow others to do likewise and realize that we are not all alike. We do not all see things exactly the same. We do have differing views on things. The main thing is that we allow each and every one of us to hear God's voice and to be lead by the Holy Spirit's direction to us individually in these matters.
I'm glad God did not make us carbon copies of each other. If He had wanted us to be that He would have done it. Our God, who has created 1,000's of various varieties of flowers, can certainly handle not having one size fits all mentality among His children.
With a lost and dying world out there, let's not spend our time disputing other's views on issues that in the end do not count for that much. All that really matters is: Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior?
35 comments:
Great post Susan. As a worship pastor's wife, don't even get started talking about music in church. The vain babblings would floor you all. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Great reminder! I agree, so often we get caught up in the petty details and forget the real issue (as you stated): Do you know Jesus?
~ Leanne
amen! great post, susan. sometimes we don't even realize that our talk is vain, profane, and/or babbling. i think we need to be more aware of how we state things and how it might affect others.
I have just recently heard about that book and want to get it. I love Jerry Bridges. His book Trusting God Even When Life Hurts was so helpful to me.
Love ya Susan.
hey susan...i've got to get that book!
Yes, great post...vain babblings...yeah, the title caught my attention too. thanks for sharing this.
What an awesome post, Susan. I was nodding my head and saying "Amen" throughout this entire post.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom in this area. I couldn't agree with your thoughts more!
I enjoyed your post for today,Susan. You are an inspiration.
Have a great week.
Betty
A terrific post to start the week! I'm so glad you shared your heart on this!
Amen, Amen, Amen! I hate it when we get so worked up and forget that the MOST important thing is LOVE for each other.
AMEN!!! I think the devil loves when we Christians bicker about things. And the world sees all our fussing with each other and wants nothing to do with it. God help us!
Great post! such a reminder. That is a tough one in the blogging world. You see so much vain babbling as we "meet" those who differ from us. it is so easy to pass judgement and ridicule from behind our "keyboard".
Thanks Susan! Well said.
Wonderful post! i think sometimes way to much time is spent back biting and arguing and we often think our way is the only right way. Think how much more we could get done for Christ if we spent that time helping others to get to know Him or know Him better.
This is so right Susan. Thanks for sharing it. Kathi
What a great, thought provoking post. I agree with you. It is sad how some people feel it is okay to judge others, I just don't get that. How dare people make another feel bad because they strugle with homeschooling or bottle feed their little ones. We need to remember those four simple words, What would Jesus do?
Love & hugs, Sharon
First, I agree totally and this is somethign I struggle with because I am so opinionated!! I tend to open my mouth and state my opinion without ever considering how vain I am!!!
The issue of birth control, home schooling, breast feeding, ect... are all "conflicts" that have hurt me in the past because we do forget that all that matters is our personal relationship with Christ.
Second, thank you so much for your comment this morning. I was thinking of Titus 2 last night and you came to mind. You don't know what an encouragement you are.
I couldn't agree more. Sounds like a great book!
I so agree with you SUsan. I have seen so much anger and dissension between people when love should be our guide and we sometimes need to back up and ask if what someone else does is really any of our business. Things like homeschooling, and other areas of life that are really up to God to deal with people. I have been guilty of not knowing when to keep my mouth shut and let love be my guide. I learn more every day how much peace that one piece of self discipline can give.
I can hear you NOW!!
another great sermon from my favorite online preacher.
we should listen to each other with open hearts and accept that we disagree.
It's a real shame when someone is so much of a zealot about a particular issue that they are hurtful to another.
Susan,
Catchy start, I wondered which direction you would take this verse. I was fascinated by how you handled it! Sometimes I am afraid we are so hard on one another we eat each other up! The book sounds like one I would like to read. I recognize the authors' name, but can't remember from what (not a surprise, my memory is not great anymore).
Suasan,
I just caught up with your other posts. You and are alike in some ways :)! I would love to own a little craft store. I would love to own a small coffee&book shop. We both seem to enjoy cooking for loved ones too. Your dinner sounded wonderful!
I agree Susan. To me, my blog is a personal outlet where I share my life and family and beliefs. If someone disagrees with me, that is their right, but don't post a judgemental comment, I would prefer that they just don't come back! I think it boils down to just plain old good manners. On the other hand, I've been researching the word "quiet" lately. I'm learning to be still, and listen more. Less talking/babbling.
I've not seen this book, thank you for recommending it.
"Yes, lets voice our opinions and state our views and then let us allow others to do likewise and realize that we are not all alike."
AMEN!
Such a good post, Susan!
What came to my mind is so many "mothering" issues...I remember as a new mom just 8 yrs ago...cloth diapers vs disposables, nursing vs formula...then staying at home vs working moms, home schooling and those that don't. The list goes on and on, and though some of us may feel strongly in what we choose and why we choose it, we shouldn't waste time criticizing others with slightly different choices.
We are all created differently and no two people-even Christians- are going to agree on every single subject on earth, so the best thing to do is make our choices with God's leading and love other brothers and sisters even if they do not agree.
Sorry to get long-winded...it was just a great post and meaty subject!
And thank you for coming over to wish my mom a happy 81st b-day!
Blessings,
~Tammy
Susan,
I love this post! Very well said! I can always find such nuggets of wisdom every time I visit you!
Thank you for your constant encouragement and sweet comments. I appreciate you!
Much love,
Tracey
Susan, this is worth reading again...and again. I STRUGGLE with this. I am in the world but not Of the world, but the world has an influence on me. This was well written by you on so many levels. You conveyed your thoughts gently without finger pointing, which is difficult to do when giving counsel. I tolerate so much in my life. I read an article about a woman asking the founder of No Greater Joy in a letter about his sterness, his mean sounding demeanor. He basically let her know that he would not tolerate sin. I find that I have a hard time finding that fine line between tolerance and loving the sinner. I would be curious to hear your take on that sometime, too. Like I said, this was such a great post!!!
Wanted to let you know that Erin is being pulled off of her machines and they are letting her go to Jesus. My heart is broken right now for her family.
Jennifer
What a great post and so true! We at times just need to shut our mouths! As my hubby likes to say, "Let the Lord do the talking!"
Hugs!!
Well said Susan. I know Jesus and love Him. My prayer is we can work together as the body of Christ and show His love to others.
P.S. Thank you for praying for my son's friend's family. The friend who went home to be with Jesus is Jake. My son is Jared. Jared is still here with us. Thank you again dear friend. You are a prayer warrior indeed.
Great thoughts well put!
I just read the comment about Erin. Last I read I thought she was doing better. How very sad!!
Very well put! I've left community boards due to the fighting that hard as I tried I could not subdue. Whether it was cloth diapering vs disposable, breast vs bottle, circumcise vs not, it does not have to divide us. Christ's love should remind us to just let it go!
All I can say Susan is this is such a great reminder for all of us to stay united on the important things. Sounds like a wonderful book..
Timely post.
Nicely put Susan. The world will know we are Christians if we love one another.
I am looking for this book in town and did find it on Amazon; I saw it at Sharon’s blog quite reflections. She said it was good and now you too so off to get it.
This is a much needed post! Well done Susan! My sister and I have been discussing this topic off and on fo often. It really hurts me to see members of God's family expecting others to fit into their self prescribed box. You are right in saying that we are not carbon copies of each other. What is good and right for my family maybe absurd for another family. If we spent as much time in prayer and in the word as we spend talking about others in petty ways, we would see more victorius Christians.
Thanks for sharing this Susan. I was so "clever" and had something to say about everything until God showed me my heart and my own brokenness and poverty of spirit and I turned away from my vain babblings - it is such a relief to let people go and let them be and leave them in God's gracious hands to gently work His love and tenderness out in their lives.
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