Fri.1.23..5...Being a Godly MENTOR... (Model part 5)

Set an example for the believers in your speech…1 Tim.4:12

His name is Jimmy. At least that’s the name I’ll give him to protect the guilty. I was glad that Jimmy got hired as a fellow salesman with me, since he was a Christian. Jimmy knew the Bible and loved to talk about theology books that he recently bought. He talked a good game, but his talk wasn’t good at times. Jimmy had a foul mouth. Ugh! That’s a bad T (Testimony). The “F” bomb got dropped out his mouth often along with other ruinous words. When I broached the subject with him, he admitted it was a bad habit he had had for a long time. He had, what my children called, a potty mouth.

Unfortunately, Jimmy is not the exception these days. I’ve heard a number of “believers” use filthy language. I’ve heard young people say, “They’re just words. Society just says they’re foul. And more and more people use them anyway. They’re becoming common. Look at all the movies and TV shows that use such words that you call filthy. Some of my teachers even use four letter words. Also, if my friends aren’t offended by such, then they’re not offensive words.”  

But let’s discover what God declares about our speech. We’ve been studying and seeing that to be a godly MENTOR we need to be good Models or examples for others to follow. We're working our way through the letter to Titus, so let’s go back to one verse that was in our passage of study yesterday and zero in on it-

“In everything set them an example…soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8. (soundness of speech means healthy, wholesome, uncorrupted speech.) Would others find a reason to condemn or speak badly about our speech? “You say you’re a Christian, but you talk like a truck driver!” How foolish for the believer to defend himself at that point, saying- “I didn’t say I was perfect, but at least I’m forgiven, which is more than I can say for you!” Instead he should agree with them. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. Please forgive me.” That’s the quickest and best way to restore his testimony. Let's look at some other significant passages regarding our speech.

“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.” Col.3:8 We must not tolerate flighty language. We are commanded to rid ourselves of it, not make excuses for it. ”Everybody talks like that.” No, everybody doesn’t talk like that. Does your pastor? Would he and others seeking to please God encourage people to use such filthy words? A lot of people lie and steal, but that doesn’t make it right.

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Eph.5:3-4. Let’s look at the meaning of these last three forbidden types of speech:

Obscenity: The Greek word used here is"Aischrotes." It’s an "ugly" sounding word which describes ugly, shameful, speech or behavior. Such foul, offensive language is certainly unbecoming a man representing his holy Father. I’m amazed that even believers would also use God’s name in vain or the name of their Savior, “Jesus Christ” as a filler word. Speaking of filler words, isn’t it amazing that the most horrible thing you can think of, hell, is used so often as a filler word that it’s lost its horror. Jokes are even made about hell and the devil.When people start to tell me a joke about hell, I politely stop them, saying, "Hell is no joke." 

Foolish Talk: “Morologia” This is the talk of morons or fools. “The fool has said in his heart there is no God” Ps.14:1. Foolish talk is to talk as if a holy God doesn’t exist. It’s to talk, careless of one’s ultimate accountability before a holy God. Jesus said, “men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.” Mt.12:36-37.

Course joking: "Eutrapelia" from eú = easily + trépo = to turn. This has the idea of easily turning the good meaning of something into a foul thing. It includes the thought of taking something that should be shameful and making a play on words with it to appear acceptable and funny. Late night TV entertainers do this a lot. That's why I don't watch them. Is God laughing? There is no fear of God before their eyes. 

By contrast, notice what people said about Jesus' speech-"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips." Luke 4:22. Oh, may we devotedly strive to imitate Christ our King, by His grace. Then notice how Paul tells us we should similarly speak. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Col.4:6 NLT. We want to "make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." Titus 2:10. 

1.-Write on your MP3 card “set an example for the believers in your speech…” 1 Tim.4:12

2.-Share one thought from what we’ve covered today.

3.-R? (If we ever blow it in the area of using foul language, it’s good to know we can R- right this wrong and seek to regain our good testimony for our King.) 

4.-A?

Announcements
It's going to be a great time! It's our next M3 meeting- Sunday, February 8th at 3:00pm at Jack's house. (I got no objections to this! We all loved meeting at your beautiful home Jack- our mini-retreat center and war room.) A few brothers are on their way to earning and receiving their Unstoppable award pin and many of you will be recognized and advance to the U2 level- 2 months of being Unstoppable. Others will be honored for recruiting new team members. We will also be discussing our strategy for reaching and helping many new proteges. See you there before 3:00 so we can start right on time. Thanks!

Recent Words Worth Repeating
As we were focusing on the character qualities of elders and coaches-
Gary wrote: To be without reproach is to be without shame or rebuke. As we grow as models for protégés, an important factor is not leading a person astray by hypocrisy. Amen Gary!

Sam wrote:  Encourage others by sound doctrine- I find myself doing this at times. I believe this is part of our calling. In order for us to persevere through trials, we need to encourage each other and what better way than God's word (sound doctrine).

Over time, I look forward to highlighting everyone's good words. See you soon!

Wow! I'm in the presence of saints!:) No one put up an R Wednesday. Then I will. My teenage son went toe to toe with me. I didn't lose my temper, but it was a high testosterone time. All is well now. I told him, "Most dads would drool to have the kind of close relationship we have. But if you do that again, you won't like the consequences at all :) R- the Relationship is Restored! This is the heart of God for us. 

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	E	A= Attack Prayers	T	(Men Recruited)
		For Wed.1.21.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.1	Y			A		Daniel & Roger
2	Daniel Contreras U.1						Vince & Antonio
3	Vince Diaz	Y			A
4	Roger Vinlasaca U.1	Y			A
	Fire Team 2
1	Israel Fuentes U.1	Y			A
2	Sam Vargas U.1	Y			A		Robert
3	Robert Roman	Y			A
4	Antonio Palomar	Y
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 3
1	Alvin James U.1	Y			A
2	Dave Heidekruger U.1	Y			A
3	Mike Pagan U.1	Y			A		George
4	George Rabiela	Y
	Fire Team 4
1	Eddie Morales U.1	Y					Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
2	Gary Remson U.1	Y			A
3	Ismael Andrade U.1	Y			A
4	Kentrayle Adams	Y			A