There's Power In Shutting Your Mouth

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

Philippians 2:14-15

James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Cutting straight to the heart of the matter, we must learn to simply shut up… What plagues most Christians in their pursuit of Christ is the ability to listen and hear; oftentimes we become so entrapped with words that we miss out on what it is that God has for us or the very blessings that will be manifested in our lives… Not only must we shut up and learn to listen, but Paul takes it a step further when He instructs us about refraining from disputes and conflict. If you believe God is at work in your life, it should be evident not only through your words but also through how you handle adversity… I have often wondered why is it that Christians believe that by accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior that the temptations of this world and trials will cease… The word of God tells me that it was after Jesus was baptized (accepted God’s call) that He was tempted by the devil… One thing that we must come to understand and know is that by accepting Christ’s offering on Calvary, we are now subject to the schemes of the devil more so than ever before... 

One of the more true sayings I heard was this, “if it comes easy and without much work or endurance to obtain it, then it must not be worth much…” A good friend of mine told me this when I was going through a troubling time and I believe these words are what Paul is trying to convey to the church of Philippi… You have to work to achieve, greatness will not fall into your lap and that’s why we are to do all things without complaining… Paul writes a clerical message to the church of Philippi informing them of the maturation process that a child of God goes through… He speaks today to the fact that as a child of the most high, things will not always be the way you desire… Yet it is the call for every believer to walk in His will, exercise their faith, and hold to His unchanging hand. In other words, hush and keep grinding! Paul says to do all things without murmurings and disputes; he put it nicely, but as I stated earlier, sometimes we just have to shut up and walk in faith!!!!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!