11/10/2024
Turn with me to Proverbs 18:16-17. These are our verses to study and memorize this week.
Proverbs 18:16-17 A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men. 17 The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.
Introduction
Last time we looked at the importance of intentionally and continually pursuing God’s wisdom. That is what will enable our tongues to produce righteousness and protect us from all the temptations to wickedly use our tongues. As we seek knowing God we will have guidance from His Word on how to live and speak. With that foundation understood, we now continue on to look at some specific wisdom related to our words. The setting for these next four proverbs is the public sphere where issues related to the government, court room, business world, and public relationships are conducted.
Let’s take a look now at the first two of these proverbs.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.
A gift can favorably impress people and open up opportunities. This proverb emphasizes wisely using what we have—our words, resources, and abilities—for good.
The way that we approach situations matters. Our words, attitudes, and demeanor will affect a lot. People often respond based on how we interact with them. As we saw back in Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” This is true with our family and friends, but it is also true in public settings like this.
When problems occur or when help is needed in public situations (really all situations) we have two choices. We can either be negative in our approach, or positive. We can try to get our problem resolved by being obnoxious, loud, angry, belligerent, forceful, and deceptive. Or we can come bearing gifts, being helpful, being patient, being kind, being gracious, being respectful, and being understanding. This proverb highlights the positive approach and its results.
By raising a big stink people are not going to be very favorably disposed to helping us if we caused a scene and negatively disrupted their day. They are automatically going to have a negative attitude towards this person who barged their way in with anger, harshness, or manipulation.
Instead of all that, we ought to approach every situation with loving truth and gracious speech as Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 4:6 command. A calm manner, a pleasing demeanor, and a thoughtful gift are much better approaches to getting doors to open and to have the opportunity to speak to those who are the true decision makers rather than violence, anger, or evil words. While there can of course always be exceptions, the general rule is that we are more likely to be welcomed and responded to favorably if we are kind, gracious, and giving than if we are unkind, rude, and selfish.
We ought to come to situations de-escalating them and trying to help others. When someone comes with a gift and is trying to help others, they are rarely turned away. It just has a way of changing the tone of the situation. Instead of simply being another problem that people have to deal with, you become part of the solution—part of the team trying to make things better. Instead of being an antagonist you become a valued team-mate. Your requests and needs then seem much more reasonable.
In best case scenarios this can even end up bringing about far-reaching opportunities with powerful people.
Our words have an integral part in all of this as they are usually a main facet of how we treat other people. They convey the meanings of our actions and reinforce whether they are positive, respectful, loving, and helpful, or are negative, destructive, deceptive, and antagonistic. This proverb teaches us to use our actions and words to build others up and help them. If we examine our actions and words to make sure they are a gift to others we will end up using our tongues righteously. As we do so it will often be of great help to us as well.
If we shift our perspective a bit and look at “a man’s gift” in this proverb from the standpoint of it being a God-given talent and ability that they have then a person’s use of that gift for others is what makes room for him here. An exceptional ability used to benefit others, like physical gifts, also has a way of opening doors and providing unique opportunities. People tend to appreciate the special skills and abilities of other people—particularly when they benefit and help.
Scriptural Example: When we compare this proverb with the rest of Scriptures we see a number of instances where people’s positive words, behaviors, and gifts were helpful in defusing situations, making room for them, and opening doors.
In Genesis 24 Abraham sent his chief steward back to his original home-country and family to find a wife for Isaac. He did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite. When the steward got to Mesopotamia he prayed a specific prayer asking God to guide him to the right woman. He was looking for an industrious and hospitable woman who would not only get him water when he asked for it but would also offer to water his camels. Camels drink a lot of water. That would be quite a test to have a woman voluntarily offer to water a strange traveler’s 10 camels.
Rebekah, of course, did just that and thereby showed her virtuous, hard working, hospitable character. After her hard work he gave her gifts of a golden ring and golden bracelets. Then he inquired whether there would be room for lodging in her father’s house. When Rebekah’s brother, Laban, heard what happened and saw the expensive gifts on her he prepared a place and got Abraham’s steward housed with them. Then they heard the stewards amazing story of their own kinsman Abraham’s charge to him and how God had answered his prayers.
The stewards gifts helped make room for him and opened their hearts to hearing his mission. They helped give authenticity to his words of God’s blessing of Abraham. They also showed that he was not simply trying to take Rebekah. He was there to fulfill the mission that Abraham had sent him on in a respectable and culturally appropriate way. After they recognized and approved God’s sovereign work in leading Abraham’s servant to Rebekah he gave them all many more expensive gifts.
His fitting gifts, behavior, and words worked together to make room for him, to enable them to consider his situation, and to allow him to complete the unlikely mission that Abraham had sent him on.
In 1 Samuel 25 we see another situation where this kind of thing occurred. David and his men had been disrespected and evilly treated by Nabal after they had spent so much time protecting his flock. Because of that they were enraged and determined to bring judgment upon his household. As they were marching off to war against Nabal his wife Abigail came with donkeys loaded down with 200 loaves of bread, 2 jugs of wine, 5 prepared sheep, 5 measures of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of figs. She had come to realize the danger that she and her household were under with the way that Nabal had treated them. So she went to David with a large gift of food to try to head off that problem. Her timely and appropriate gift, which proved her sincerity, opened the door for her. She was able to give her words of wisdom and her humble entreaty to David. They broke through his anger at the injustice and helped open his ears to consider the fuller picture of the situation. Her gift made room for her.
The same could be said of Jesus’ many miracles while He was here on earth—the cast out demons, the healing, the raised dead, the multiplied bread, etc. It also could be said of the miracles of the Apostles in the early church. While doing good for people the miracles validated the authenticity of the words that they preached. They paved the way for the reception of their words and opened up many doors for ministry (e.g. the healing of Publius’ father in Acts 28).
When we think of someone’s talent or ability opening doors David is an example. His giftedness in playing the harp and in using the sling shot brought him to amazingly high places. When Saul was struggling with the evil spirit that was plaguing him (after his disobedience to God) his advisors sought someone who could play soothing music for him when he was disturbed. David had gained a reputation as a skillful musician and went from being a lowly shepherd to serving the king (1 Samuel 16:15-23).
Likewise, when Israel was plagued by the giant Goliath with his insults to Israel and God, David’s trust in God gave him confidence to speak against Goliath and to offer to fight the giant himself. His skill in killing the giant with his slingshot then really brought the attention of the king and all the people to him. (1 Samuel 17:1-18:5) David’s positive use of his gifts and abilities to help others made room for him and brought him before great men.
David sought to know and honor God. That affected both his words and his behaviors. He exalted God with his words. He used his gifts and abilities to serve others and honor God. This is how our lives ought to be. As we get to know God and His wisdom more and more what we know about Him should define our convictions about life. That will in turn affect our words and actions and cause them to be in line with God’s redeemed way of righteousness.
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this proverb with the rest of Scripture we see an important precaution to be aware of with this issue. If we stop our pursuit of knowing God more deeply and of being guided by His wisdom, then our use of our gifts, abilities, and words will all be affected. We will not use them for serving others and living righteously. Instead, our use of gifts will become selfish and manipulative. Having seen how they can open doors and benefit us we will pervert that into using them as a manipulative bribe to get what we want. God’s Word unequivocally condemns bribes (Deuteronomy 16:9, 27:25, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Proverbs 17:23).
The specific word for “bribe” in the Bible is a different word than the word used in our proverb here for a gift. So there is a distinction between the two ideas. However, there can be a very fine line between a good gift or a good use of one’s abilities and a bad gift or a bad use of one’s abilities. Because of that sometimes the more general word for gift is indeed used to refer to a bribing kind of “gift.”
The secretive use of gifts to manipulate is condemned as a bribe in Proverbs 21:14. A gift designed to enable illicit gain is condemned in Proverbs 15:27. A bribe to pervert justice is condemned in Proverbs 17:23. When it is boiled down, a gift becomes a sinful bribe when it is designed to manipulate. Gifts become sinful bribes when they are for a wrong purpose. When there is an ulterior motive other than doing good a gift becomes more than a gift. It has strings attached. The gifts of Abraham’s steward, of Abigail, of Jesus and the Apostles, and David’s use of his abilities with the harp and the sling were all freely given and with good, pure motives and intents. The fact that benefits came from these situations is not the problem. The problem is when sin and selfishness gets involved in any part of the process.
We should be doing good for one another and giving gifts. We should be serving and helping one another. Indeed, we are to do as Galatians 6:10 instructs us, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” We are even to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43-44, Romans 12:20). In so doing, that may bring about beneficial things for us, but we are to do them regardless. We are to do them because it is right and best. But that is a far cry from serving people in order to get something wrong, sinful, or selfish out of it. If what we do is right, and if why we do it is right, and if what results is right, then it is not crossing the line. But, if one of those things becomes wrong, then the sinfulness of it begins and grows.
Truth in Connection: As we pull this all together Proverbs 18:16 gives us an illustration of our previous proverb which taught us that the wise pursue knowledge. As we come to know and follow Jesus it transforms our actions, motives, and words. How should we pursue knowledge and apply it to our life? Proverbs 18:6 teaches us to be righteous givers and to use our gifts, abilities, and words for good. In light of our pursuit of knowing God and giving gifts we should then ask, how does God give? How did Jesus use his gifts, abilities, and words for good?
God is the ultimate giver. He created a good, perfect world and gave it to us to steward for Him. In our sin we treasonously revolted against Him and brought sin, death, and destruction upon this world and ourselves. Yet, in the highest expression of love He gave us salvation through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. He made a way for our forgiveness, restoration, redemption, and reconciliation at His own expense. All those who trust in Him for this gift of eternal life are born again with His spiritual life inside of them. We are brought back into personal relationship with Him.
This is the example we need to learn of giving, of using our abilities, and of stewarding all that we have for the good of others. Jesus gave in a righteous way, for a righteous reason, for a righteous outcome. There was no sin or breach of justice in His gift. He lived perfectly and offered His life as a substitute for ours. He did it for love, for our salvation, and for His glory. The end outcome is that He receives the praise, worship, and glory that He deserves. That is how He gave. This same pattern is what we should follow.
We should give and serve others in righteous ways. There is no room for selfish or sinful bribes here. There is only room for doing what is good and best for others. As we do so it invites room for relationship and fellowship with others over what is good and right. Within that there should be no room for wrong motivations. Instead it opens up further good opportunities to build up and mutually help one another in doing what is good, right, and holy. Done rightly and received rightly it will bring about what is good and right for all.
This proverb thus challenges us to be givers like God is a giver. As we become givers like God is a giver then our actions and words will be what God designed them to be in righteousness and holiness. Do you want to have words that are what they ought to be? Then give like God gives—with love and purity doing what is right and best. Then rejoice in the good outcome it produces.
If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you do not yet know God as this kind of giver and cannot give like He gives. You are still under His judgment for your sin. God’s Word to you is to repent and trust in Him. Turn from your wicked ways and receive His forgiveness and new life through faith in Jesus Christ. Receive His gift of salvation. Will you trust Him?
If you have trusted in Jesus, will you learn from His giving and become a giver like He is?
Our next proverb turns to the court room setting and the words that occur there.
17 The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.
Wrong can seem right if both sides of an issue are not seen. This proverb emphasizes the wisdom of asking questions and examining what one is told.
A few verses ago, in Proverbs 18:13, we saw the foolishness of hasty replies and decisions.
Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
Our current proverb takes this a step farther. Not only is it foolishness to answer before we hear what is going on, but even after hearing we still may not know enough to render a verdict. Even after hearing what is going on, things can still be misunderstood, misconstrued, or flat out deceptive. When someone shares their version of events the truth can seem straight-forward: cut-and-dried. But discernment and wisdom is still needed. When questions examine the details of a situation what seemed so obvious can often be seen to be covering over other relevant information that makes the situation quite different than first appearances.
We most definitely need to listen, as Proverbs 18:13 highlights, but we also need to test what we hear. We need to examine it closely. This is the principle behind modern law court practices. The case is stated, but then witnesses are called and evidence is given. The prosecution and defense have opportunities to ask questions to draw out the details so that the judge and jury can render the most accurate possible verdict. Once all the details have been publicly presented, examined, and discussed the jury gets the opportunity to privately go and further examine the details. What may have seemed right and just at the very first hearing may not be the full reality of what occurred. Examination reveals that.
The truth is that there are many deceivers in this world. Our own hearts can even deceive us. To complicate that, we are daily bombarded with many issues which need an answer. Issues in relationships with family members, friends, co-workers, and other people constantly come up that need to be figured out and decisions rendered. How many times have we made decisions only to find out more information later on and realized that situations were not what they appeared?
Beyond court cases and personal interactions, we are unceasingly confronted with advertisements, “influencers,” and propaganda from just about every angle trying to get us to make certain decisions, to think certain ways, to pursue certain things, or to make certain purchases. Things are carefully crafted to seem right, to feel right, and to appear just like what we need. That is the job of advertising and propaganda—to get people to act certain ways or purchase certain things. But how many times have we made a purchase or a decision only to find out later on that things were not as they seemed? If only we had checked more carefully and examined the situation!
If we are wise we will pursue knowledge. We will not be satisfied with simply rendering a verdict or making a decision. We will not be satisfied with the initial appearance of a situation. We will not be satisfied with the picture-perfect way things are presented. We will not be satisfied with those who have money or evil as their motivation for telling us to do certain things, live certain ways, or buy certain things. It will not matter whether it is a business, a media company, a news organization, a government, a church, or even friends and family—we will want to know the truth. So we will positively use our words to ask questions and make examinations. We will continue to pursue knowledge with our words. We will want our decisions based on truth, not feelings, convenience, or manipulations.
To be able to do this, we will need to know where the source of truth is. We will need to make primary that pursuit of knowledge that Proverbs 18:15 began this section with. We will need to know God and have the wisdom He gives. He made us, and is the truth and the source of truth. In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” as Colossians 2:3 proclaims. Therefore, we will examine everything through the lens of God’s Word. We will compare what we are told to God’s Word to see if what we are told is right, or if it just seemed right upon our first hearing of it.
Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see an interesting example of this proverb with David in 2 Samuel 16 and 19. Here more examination was definitely needed. This situation really started way back with David’s close relationship to Jonathan. David had covenanted to be kind to Jonathan—and his descendents. In time Saul and Jonathan ended up dying in battle with the Philistines and David eventually reigned over all Israel. After he was established David looked and found a lame son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth to bestow kindness on. He had him eat at his table and provided for him. Years later David’s son Absalom carried out a coup and David fled Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 16 picks up there as David is fleeing for his life with those who remained loyal to him.
2 Samuel 16:1-4 Now when David had passed a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’” 4 So the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I prostrate myself; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord, the king!”
David saw this great kindness of Mephibosheth’s steward Ziba and instantly rewarded him with everything of Mephibosheth’s because of Mephibosheth’s betrayal. However, David did not examine the situation before he rendered that verdict. Later on, in 2 Samuel 19:24-30 we see more of the situation when David returned victoriously to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 19:24-30 Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. 25 It was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 So he answered, “O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame. 27 “Moreover, he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight. 28 “For all my father’s household was nothing but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should complain anymore to the king?” 29 So the king said to him, “Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.’” 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him even take it all, since my lord the king has come safely to his own house.”
Ziba’s actions looked gallant and righteous upon first consideration when he explained the situation. But when more details came out it did not hold up to scrutiny. It did not all add up. David saw enough to realize that his former verdict had been hasty. So he reversed part of his earlier decision. Ziba had definitely supported David strongly in his time of need, but it definitely appeared now that he had misrepresented the situation with Mephibosheth. This particularly seems the case when we see that Mephibosheth was not interested in getting his property back. He was interested in David’s safe return.
While we may not know all the details of this situation thousands of years later, what is clear is that what appeared to be true at first was most definitely not the whole reality of what occurred. If we are wise and want to use our tongues righteously, then we will take time to carefully examine what we are told and the situations that arise before making decisions. We will use our words to ask questions and discern the truth.
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this proverb with the rest of Scripture we see Paul commanding Timothy to have this wisdom. He needed to carefully discern the truth in a number of different situations. 1 Timothy 5:19-25 highlights a few of them.
1 Timothy 5:19-25 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. 23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
Paul did not want Timothy to hastily make decisions in his oversight of the churches. He wanted him to not just take things at face value, but rather discern through them thoroughly according to the truth. Just like under the law of Israel, accusations in the church against elders needed to be honestly substantiated and accurate before a verdict was rendered. With it all there was to be no partiality and all of those who persisted in sin were to be publicly rebuked and dealt with. Everything was to be done based on the truth.
Yet, Paul also knew that oftentimes our initial decisions can be tainted by a partial knowledge of the truth or facts. Because of that we must dig deeper. The rest of his guidance continues to show this. Timothy was not supposed to lay hands on anyone hastily and put them in positions of leadership. He needed to know their character and discern their lives. Otherwise he could end up bearing responsibility for their sins. He needed to examine them carefully.
Paul also laid another prerequisite for discerning the truth. Timothy needed to keep himself personally free from sin. If we do not do this, we cloud our hearts and minds from the truth and separate ourselves from fellowship with God. If we are running from Him in an area of life we will not walk by His wisdom. Our decisions will be tainted by that. Timothy needed to examine his own heart carefully.
Paul then adds a brief interlude that has always seemed strange in this text. He exhorts Timothy to have a little wine for his stomach issues. We could go into historical details of the people’s drinking water back then and how a little bit of wine would help kill the bacteria and might assist with Timothy’s stomach problems. But there is more to what is going on. Why does he even mention this here? It would seem that Timothy’s decision to abstain from all wine may have seemed right to him on first appearance. But, just like with all the other issues in this passage Timothy needed to examine what he did more carefully. Upon a more close examination complete abstention was really not best for him. His health was needlessly suffering because of it. In reality then, this fits right in with the principle Paul was trying to teach Timothy to apply to the many issues he faced. Things can seem right at first glance, but not actually be so. Timothy needed to look deeper. He needed to carefully examine what he said and did.
Paul’s conclusion here follows in this same train of thought. Some people’s sins are evident right up front and can be dealt with. But others are not so obvious. Nonetheless, he points out that the truth of people’s situations will end up evident as the fruit becomes obvious and as closer examinations reveal what is going on.
This issue of discernment in situations seems to be a main issue that Paul is trying to teach Timothy in this book, because he ends the final two verses of the book with this exhortation in 1 Timothy 6:20-21.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
Many things are claimed to be wisdom, knowledge, best and right. But that does not make them so. Many people claiming to be righteous have gone astray from the faith. To deal with this Paul finishes by telling Timothy to carefully guard the truth that had been entrusted to him. Paul comes back and reiterates this point in his second and final letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:13-17. Here he gives an even clearer exhortation on what Timothy was to compare everything and hold on to.
2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
God’s Word is truth. It is what we are to use to discern whether the words we are told and whether the situations that we encounter are truth or not. It is sufficient for all that we need for all that God calls us to do.
Truth in Connection: As we apply this to our lives, our reality remains the same as in the days of Solomon and in the days of Timothy. There are so many lies, deceptions, and things falsely called knowledge which people want us to believe and base our lives on. We must be careful to not take things as gospel truth just because they initially seem right. We must use our words to question, examine, and compare everything by the sure truth of God’s Word. As we carefully do that our words and decisions will be safe-guarded in the way of righteousness. If we want to be righteous in our words we must go to God’s righteousness in His Word and have our words be in full concordance with it.
What guides your words? Is it your feelings? Your desires? What you heard on the news? What you saw in a movie? What you listened to in a song? What you were told by your teachers in school? What you read in a book or newspaper? What your co-workers imposingly argued for? What you saw on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X? What your friends say? What you have been in the habit of doing from the past? All of those things can very easily mislead us. Indeed, some of those things were specifically designed to influence us and make us think a certain way. Do not just buy into them hook, line, and sinker. What guides your words? Compare everything to God’s Word. If we do not we will end up thinking, speaking, and doing things that are not right. To speak righteously we must think critically, ask questions, examine what is said, and live by the wisdom of God’s Word.
If you have not trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then the lies of the world that you are believing will blind you and have eternally destructive consequences. The lies of the world will tell us that our sin is not really that bad, or that it does not really deserve that big of a punishment, or that God loves us too much to really judge any of us, or that He is not real, or that as long as we do some good things we will be okay, or that as long as we improve or work hard enough He will accept us.
But that is not what God has said in His Word. He tells us in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” He says of heaven in Revelation 21:27 that “nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” He says in Revelation 20:15 that “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” God takes our sin seriously and will judge it. In Isaiah 64:6 He says that “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” We have no righteousness before God. We cannot remove our sin.
The good news of the gospel, though, is that Jesus is righteous, and He died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sin of all those who truly trust in Him as Lord and Savior. He can raise us from our spiritual death and give us eternal life. God does love the world, as John 3:16 says. But it also says that we must turn from believing the world’s lies to believing in Jesus. That is the only way that we will not perish and that we will have eternal life. Will you examine this issue carefully and see through the lies of the world? Will you trust in Jesus and His Word?
Conclusion
If you have any questions on any of this or want help in coming to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior please come talk with us. We are available. Let’s pray.
© 2024, Kevin A. Dodge, All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
English (US) · 