Biblical Speech: Part 1

 

Welcome back to my blog. Today we discuss the vitally important topic of biblically based speech.

 

The way we communicate with each other is indeed a vital part of living a godly life. The Bible emphasizes the importance of our words and how they reflect our hearts. For instance, Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This highlights the power of kind and gentle speech. The Bible encourages us to use our words to uplift and support one another.

 

Controlling our speech is quite difficult and is rarely considered. As we incorporate biblical principles in our lives, we will find it much easier to speak in a fashion that loves people and pleases God. However, biblical speech patterns do not come naturally. How do we do it? Here are some hints:

 

• Consider first, speech is not about you – Have you ever noticed that most people generally talk incessantly about themselves, even at church? Unless we really need someone else to bear our burdens (Galatians 6:2), however, speech should not be about us but about the other person (Ephesians 4:29). Biblical speech should address other people’s needs. This is a huge transformation in thinking for many of us but it’s an important first step to converse with others as God would desire.

 

·       Realize you have much to give – Remember, the Bible is true and good for anyone who hears it (please see the Teleios website for scientific proof). Therefore, when you are speaking scripture and its truth, commending, being thankful, and praising God, you are using your speech as a powerful tool to help others (Colossians 1:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10).

• Think before you speak – Prior to meeting somebody, consider specific ways you can express gratitude, commendation and encouragement. Planning ahead may not seem natural to some. However, if we don’t consider encouragement ahead of time then generally it will not happen. Be specific in your commendation and thankfulness; the more precise the better.

Spiritually, plan ways to encourage a friend or colleague in Christ, whether by discussing an applicable Bible verse, teaching other people (formally or informally), sharing answered prayed or even imparting the gospel if needed.

We are all busy, but if we don’t consider positive biblical speech ahead of time, we generally will not do it. Think about it! 

 

• Several other key points:

 

• Remember the good things that God has done in the other person’s life. It is much easier to speak positively to somebody if you’re thinking favorable things about them.

 

• Pray for the people with whom you converse. It is much harder to be mad at somebody, or think negatively about them, when you’re praying for them and God’s will in their lives.

 

• Build a solid relationship – This is vital as people need to know that you genuinely like and respect them. There are many books on the subject and perhaps the best starter is the classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. You can buy a cheap used copy (or download a copy) at Amazon. It is frightfully easy to read and apply. Do it!

 

• Ask questions – If you do not know how to encourage someone, then ask them questions or search their on-line presence!

People love attention. The more questions you ask, and the deeper the follow-up questions, presented in an interested and genuine way, the more you will learn about your colleague, spouse, boss, friend or new acquaintance. They will think you are wonderful, and the extra knowledge will help you better pray for them as well as help and encourage them.

 

• Important note: You do not have to respond to the above questions, it is better that you mostly just listen initially and gather information, again showing you respect for their opinions.

 

• Build a solid spiritual relationship – This can be done by simply asking them about benign religious topics, progressing through such questions as:

 

• General questions about their life, family, and work. Follow up with more specific questions based on what they initially tell you. Show interest! Listen!

 

• General questions about their religious background, such as “Were you raised in the church and what denomination? Did you like the church? Was it a good social environment?”

 

• Go deeper; ask “what do you think about religious-based political issues such as Christian persecution? Does religion or the church help our culture?”

 

• Ask their opinion about a challenging Bible verse, or a difficult doctrine like baptism or predestination.

 

• Ask questions to help them, based on everything that you have heard them say. Perhaps inquire about their security of salvation, then you could ask them about in the applicable verse such as in Ephesians 1:13-14 or 1 Peter 1:4-5. If for example they mention they struggle in their marriage, you could direct them to Ephesians 5:20-32.

 

• Final step, biblical speech – Use the information that you have gathered about a person to consider how to help them by your speech.

 

• How can you express specific commendation or thankfulness for them in their character or actions?

 

• How can you encourage them in scripture?

 

• How can you push them on to greater Christian growth or actions?

 

In summary, biblical speech is key to a functioning, effective loving body of Christ. That is not to say that we should talk all the time about godly things, encouraging others and expressing gratitude. However, we should endeavor to keep the environment in which we meet people controllable and generate enough profitable speech that the overall atmosphere is productive and biblically based, even if you’re discussing football and recipes at the same time.

 

The Bible offers a wealth of guidance on how we should use our words. These principles can help guide us to communicate in ways that reflect love, respect, and integrity. 

 

Thank you again for joining me today. Come next time as we finish up this topic on biblical speech, what not to say, and learn how millennials assess their own speech and what the Bible says about what we should say to others. 

 

Read more at https://teleiosresearch.com/our-christian-walk-biblical-speech/. 

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

 

Tithing: What does the Bible say?

 

Welcome to my blog! Today, we discuss tithing which indeed can be a difficult issue. 

 

The term “tithe” originates from the Old English word “teogotha,” which means “tenth.” In biblical terms, tithing refers to the practice of giving 10% of one’s income or resources to support the work of the church or the religious community. This concept was introduced in the Old Testament law and refers to 10% of gains in crops and herds given to the use of God (Numbers 18:24-28, Leviticus 27:30-32 and restated in Deuteronomy 12:6-12, 14:22-28). One prior mention of tithing stretches back to Genesis 14 in Abraham’s tithe to King Melchizedek after his victory over the Mesopotamians. This action signified Abraham’s submission to Melchizedek (a type of Christ).

 

Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament epistles for the church. Importantly, Christ said He is the end of the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4). Therefore, the law is discontinued and does not govern the church; Christians do not have to follow it (Hebrews 7:12-22).

 

The New Testament does state in 2 Corinthians 9:7, however, that each individual should choose to give to God’s work, without sorrow, because God loves those who give joyfully! The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:8 provides us an example when he states that he counts all things loss for Christ. Further, our whole lives are a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). Importantly, everything we do as Christians is done by faith, including the extent and manner of how we give (Romans 14:23).

 

In contrast, some who adhere to Reformed Theology believe the church was mysteriously present in the Old Testament and so we must obey the law, including tithing. However, no Christian attempts to obey all the law, so this application is selective and inconsistent. If the church was present in the Old Testament, it is not mentioned specifically. Therefore, the church if present in the Old Testament would be there in a spiritual sense, and not as an organized, functioning structure.

 

In summary, tithing is based in the Old Testament law which New Testament believers are not required to obey because they follow Christ. In contrast, we have the opportunity to serve Christ with all our mental and physical possessions, in faith, as guided by the New Testament and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4-5). While the New Testament doesn’t explicitly command tithing in the same way as the Old Testament, it emphasizes principles of generosity, stewardship, and cheerful giving. 

 

Teleios Research – Tithing attitudes among adolescents and millennials

 

To investigate young believers’ beliefs’ over tithing we recently surveyed visitors to the Instagram account, DailyBibleVerses. See full results here https://teleiosresearch.com/young-believers-tithing/. In total, 548 persons completed the survey of whom 80% were female, 82% evangelical, and 85% were <40 years of age and 40% <18. How the participants tithed is described in Table 1 (top 3 responses).

 

 

Further, 82% said that missions or parachurch organizations could receive part of their tithe while 60% indicated material possessions donated or time spent serving could be part of their tithe. Table 2 addresses the participant’s biblical basis of their tithing (top 3 responses).

Further answers are in Tables 3-4 (top 3 responses).

Table 4: What percent of your possessions belong to God?

In summary, as Christians born again by faith in Christ’s forgiveness and His resurrection from the dead, we live by the scriptural commands in the New Testament apostolic letters. These enable us to become a joyful giver, produce fruit, and be committed to God’s work. Faith and the Holy Spirit allow us to give 100% of our lives, and not just 10%.

 

Thank you for reading my blog and join me again next time as we continue discussing the Christian life.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

 

Marriage - God's Plan: Part 2

 

Welcome back! Our last blog (Marriage: God’s plan - Part 1) discussed that marriage’s primary purpose in the Bible is a tool for spreading the gospel and related this relationship to Christ and His bride the church. This time let us discuss the research that backs the great value marriage conveys to its participants and society.

 

Teleios recently reviewed published studies in the medical literature which evaluated the benefits and disadvantages of legally binding, heterosexual marriage (https://teleiosresearch.com/benefit-of-marriage/). We went back as far as 1966!

 

The analysis showed overwhelming benefits of traditional marriage on general wellbeing and specific parameters that might affect wellbeing, including:

• Physical and mental health
• Sexual satisfaction
• Family income
• Children’s outcomes

 

Of the 42 articles evaluated, only 3 did not describe any marriage benefits. Even more, the stronger the relationship commitment, the greater trend of enhanced wellbeing. Never married, widowed, and divorced individuals suffered the lowest wellbeing.

 

Interestingly, individuals in a committed relationship, even unmarried, generally had improved elements of wellbeing compared to those uncommitted. But marriage relationships, which typically demonstrate the strongest legal and outward social commitment to a relationship, generally had the highest wellbeing of all relationships. Further, some evidence in diseased and depressed individuals indicated that the better the quality of the marriage relationship, the better the wellbeing-related outcome (Figure 1).

A Gallup polling found similar findings (Table 1).

How do we explain these results? We speculate on several reasons:

• A committed partner helping with income, household tasks, and raising children can lessen the burden compared to a single parent.
• Socialization with a marriage partner provides a potential source of personal enrichment, encouragement, and empathy.
• The more committed the relationship, the greater confidence spouses can have in each other thus conserving time, money and emotion required to correct problems in their relationship.
• Marriage partners can help maintain good health by encouraging each other to keep medical appointments, take medicines and develop a healthy lifestyle.
• Marriage commitment may facilitate sexual satisfaction by building confidence that no competing love interest is diverting the attention of the spouse.

 

Why would a committed marital relationship have a positive impact on children and the community? Again, several potential explanations are:

• A couple can help each other by providing time and income to better raise children and serve the community.
• Satisfied couples who are not dealing with internal problems can more easily look outwards to helping their children and community.
• Committed couples who agree together on how to raise their children can provide a more consistent, productive, secure, and supportive home environment.

 

Our review suggested that traditional marriage generally provides numerous benefits to the relationship partners through enhanced measures of mental and physical wellbeing, and benefits to their children compared to other heterosexual partnership arrangements or single status.

 

Wow, traditional marriage is a precious institution that is so beneficial for the partners and society. God is so wise! 

 

Read similar topics:

 

https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-marriage/

https://teleiosresearch.com/dating-habits-of-young-christians/

https://teleiosresearch.com/effect-early-sexual-activity-mental-health/

 

Join us next time as we begin an exciting series about the Christian life.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

 

 

Marriage: God’s Plan - Part 1

Welcome back to my blog, and thank you for visiting. Today, we start an important dialogue about traditional marriage.

 

God’s plan for marriage encompasses several key aspects:

1. Reflecting His image: Marriage is meant to reflect God’s image. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in perfect unity, a husband and wife are called to be united as one.
2. Raising godly children: Marriage provides the foundation for raising children in a godly environment. Parents are entrusted with nurturing their children’s faith and character.
3. Establishing and building His kingdom: Married couples work together to advance God’s kingdom. They serve others, share the gospel, and contribute to the well-being of society.
4. Maturing as Christians: Marriage challenges us to grow and mature. It reveals our weaknesses, teaches us patience, and refines our character.
5. Submission and forgiveness: Both spouses submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. They confront sin in their own hearts before addressing it in each other, and they extend forgiveness as often as needed.
6. Modeling our relationship with Christ: The relationship between Christ and the Church serves as a model for marriage. Husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives, and wives are called to respect and submit to their husbands.

Remember that God’s plan for marriage is beautiful and purposeful, and it’s a journey of growth, grace, and love.

 

As important as these attributes are regarding marriage, spiritually, it is even more important. The Bible describes the main purpose of Christian marriage as demonstrating to society the precious relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). Stated another way, marriage is primarily an evangelical tool!

 

Marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the church.

 

Wow! Why is this, considering all the other important reasons for marriage? Please consider the following:

• God’s goals – God’s plans are greater than our own and His plan is to sum up all history in Christ (Ephesians 1:10-11). Consequently, viewing marriage and its purpose within the overall construct of God’s plan is important and appropriate. God wants all people to come to know Him and so marriage is primarily evangelical as we demonstrate Christ’s loving relationship to the church.
• Importance to us – Although marriage as a witness to society, it is also vital to our own marriage relationship, as it reminds us that we were married for God’s purposes and not primarily for our own desires such as: sex, a wonderful marriage ceremony, and having children (as wonderful as they are). Remembering God’s goal in marriage also minimizes whatever expectations for marriage we might hold such as the responsibility for household tasks and interactions with extended family.
• God defines the relationship – Knowing that the purpose of marriage is to reflect Christ and the church reminds us that we primarily serve Christ and our spouse. When we leave and cleave from our prior families our priorities are clearly to be toward our marriage partner and God (Ephesians 5:31-32).

 

How then does marriage reflect the relationship between Christ and the church?

• The love between a man and a woman reflects the love Christ and the church have for each other.
• The love of the husband, and his complete devotion to his wife, reflects the love and devotion of Christ to the church.
• The submission of the wife to her husband reflects the submission of the church to Christ. The prescribed order of people and institutions in the Bible is important not only for the function of society, but for the church and family as well (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1-7; Colossians 3:18ff, 1 Peter 2:13-20; Ephesians 6:1-9). It is within the confines of order that the gospel best goes forward to bring people to Christ.
• This combination of order, love, and devotion provides a productive, caring picture to society of what Christ does for the church. Marriage should attract people to the gospel.

 

Marriage is a wonderful institution that God has ordained and provides marvelous benefits to the church, society and individuals. However, at its highest purpose is an evangelical tool that God uses to attract people to the gospel.In summary, traditional marriage, rooted in biblical principles, is a sacred institution designed by God. It serves as a reflection of His love, unity, and purpose for humanity. 

 

Thanks very much for joining me today. Join me next time as we discuss the scientific benefits of marriage, or read more at https://teleiosresearch.com/marriage-gods-plan/. 

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.