Reaching Across Generations

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…

If you’re not already familiar with the term millennial, this is “the name given to the generation born between 1982 and 2004…  The last generation to be born in the 20th Century.”

Reportedly, millennials currently outnumber the “Baby Boomer” generation, making them the (currently) largest age-demographic in the United States.

However - despite their large numbers - millennials are generally characterized in various media as being “misunderstood” and there is a lot of research that goes into characterizing the “typical” millennial as an – apparently – atypical generation with their own strengths and weaknesses.

A Snapshot of Millennials, According to their Press:

Millennials grew up in an electronics-filled and increasingly online and socially-networked world. They are the generation that has received the most marketing attention. As the most ethnically diverse generation, Millennials tend to be tolerant of difference. Having been raised under the mantra "follow your dreams" and being told they were special, they tend to be confident. While largely a positive trait, the Millennial generation’s confidence has been argued to spill over into the realms of entitlement and narcissism.  

There’s hardly a day that goes by in which I don’t come across some article trying to figure out millennials:

Companies worry about appealing to millennials with their products and advertising.  Business owners fret over creating a workplace that accommodates the unique needs of millennials.

Even churches seem to be unsure of how to reach out to millennials, leading to many congregations scrambling to re-brand themselves so as to attract this younger demographic.

It’s All Been Done Before:  The Generation Gap

Before we go any further I’d like to point out what you have probably already realized…
Basically, what we have here is an older generation not fully understanding the up-and-coming generation and vice-versa.  But hasn’t this always been the case?  And won’t it continue to be long into the future?

There will always be a divide between the younger and older generations…  The younger generation will inevitably feel that the older generation is “out of touch” while the older generation will usually claim that the younger generation is disrespectful at best, flat-out rebellious at worst.  The older generation may feel threatened by new approaches and ideas while the younger generation thinks conventional wisdom is antiquated and useless.

In other words:  This isn’t a new problem.

Ecclesiastes 1:9  That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

All of this isn't to say that this is a problem we should ignore.  Indeed, we ought to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of all, but I wonder if some approach this issue in the wrong way...

Attempts to Appeal to the Younger Generation

In an attempt to bridge the generation gap, various churches use a variety of strategies in an attempt to appeal to younger generations.  They may try:

• Making Worship More Exciting – Churches sometimes will attempt to appeal to younger generations by creating worship “experiences”.  In these churches, the “traditional” is replaced in favor of the “alternative”.  Sitting in a stuffy pew singing hymns is replaced by a concert-like atmosphere where everyone is engaged and caught up in the emotion of the music and ambience.

• Offering Social Activities – Another strategy churches will employ is creating recreational community centers.  They build huge complexes to offer organized sports and other programs to appeal to those seeking “fellowship”.

• Altering the Message – Sometimes churches will go as far as to soften their stance on issues to appeal to younger generations.  Preachers may take on the role of motivational speakers whose lessons primarily consist of anecdotes, occasionally peppered with the more “uplifting” verses from the Bible.  Maybe they won’t preach about Hell because they want to play up the positive.  Perhaps they will avoid discussing God’s disapproval of homosexuality because it doesn’t sound “tolerant”.

The problem with all these approaches is three-fold:

First, most people – young or old – are wise to nearly every trick of this kind.  They can see right through the bait-and-switch and may even come away insulted by the shallow effort.

For example, I'm reminded of an awkward situation years ago during the my Freshman year of college:  An older gentleman came to address the student body during a convocation, bringing what started out as a decent message on resisting the pressures of the world.  But then, in an attempt to convince us that he was "hip" he proceeded to put on a baseball cap…  Only to make a point of turning it backwards.  And then he began to rap.  Yes, a sixty-something man rapped to an audience of college students about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  I’m pretty sure it was an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved.

Nobody appreciated being pandered to, this technique usually turns away the ones to which its mean to appeal to and alienates everybody else in the process.

A second problem is if these tactics do work then what what’s the true motivation for those attending such churches?  What happens when the music is no longer appealing or another organization offers a better sports program?  What’s really the focus of a church if it’s comprised of people who come merely for the entertainment, free food, etc.?  It’s unlikely that in such congregations that God is being glorified.

Third – and most important – these methods deviate from Scripture.  While such churches try to promote the Gospel, they actually stray from God’s Word in doing so!

• Worship in Spirit and Truth – Worship may appeal to the emotions, but that should be a happy byproduct, not the primary focus.  God is meant to be at the center of worship, not us.  Additionally, we know that God has given specific instructions for worship.

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

• True Fellowship – Fellowship is more than just merely hanging out with other Christians.  The term actually refers to a very deep spiritual relationship between brothers and sisters in Christ.  Christian fellowship should involve confessing sin to one another (James 5:16), edifying and encouraging each other (Romans 15:2), and bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

• God’s Changeless Word – The Bible remains just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.  Jesus Himself is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8).  Therefore God’s Word does not change with any new societal norms or popular man-made doctrines.  If we alter Scripture in any way we allow ourselves to become false teachers.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

What does the Church Really Have to Offer?

The young, old, black, white, male, female, whoever, whatever the demographic…  They’re all souls in need of a Savior.

Whether they realize it or not, they’re all looking for fulfillment.

People from all walks of life turn to the various religions of the world looking for answers.  Others turn to self-help books, exercise, or diets to help them find value in themselves.  Many others rely on their career and pursuit of status.  Fame, money, drugs, sex – isn’t ironic that the people who seem to have the most in life often seem to be the most miserable?

It’s as if everyone is born with a God-shaped void in their heart and they keep looking for the square peg to put into the round hole.

When churches resort to gimmicks to advertise and draw people in, they’re announcing to the world that they have nothing truly different to offer…

I think such churches forget the single most valuable asset they have to offer:  access to Jesus Christ Himself!

The world is dying for fulfillment and we can lead them to Him!

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

What sets the church apart from everything else in the world is our relationship with Christ, our devotion to God’s Word, our emulation of Jesus through the loving of all.  If this isn’t what the world sees when they see Christians, we need to work to change that!

The Obligations of the Younger Generation

I think in some ways the younger generation feels that they deserve to be pandered to.  However, Scripture reveals that young people have obligations when it comes to serving God...  Some more difficult than others to accept!

The “come as you are” approach is prevalent among many churches today who tweak Scripture to attract socially-conscious youth.   Indeed, God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11) and accepts any and all regardless of gender, social status, etc. (Galatians 3:28).

However, the Bible teaches us that God doesn’t want us to remain as we are.  Unfortunately, this seems to be the message that many preach today, the idea that we don’t need to change to have a closer relationship with God.

Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent…

We must understand that God seeks to transform us and therefore repentance should be taught as a central theme of the Bible (Isaiah 30:15, Matthew 3:8, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17).  If anyone tells you any different, they are misleading you!

So perhaps sometimes it isn’t the church making changes isn’t the problem…  I’ll be bold enough to suggest that maybe the younger generation needs to make some changes if they truly desire to have a relationship with Christ!

Young people:  If a relationship with Christ is indeed what you desire, submit to God’s will instead of your own.

Direct your passion and zeal toward Godly pursuits!

Ecclesiastes 12:1  Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

And - finally - don’t reject the teachings of older Christians who have your best interests at heart!

Deuteronomy 32:7  Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you…

Don't forget:  We will all - if God so blesses us - become the older generation at some point!

The Obligations of the Older Generation

The older generation doesn't get a pass - They too have responsibilities!

Indeed, anyone – young or old – should seek to submit to God’s will…  And not attempt to alter it in some misguided attempt to play a numbers game as we discussed earlier.

Likewise, some criticisms directed at the older generation are justified.  Perhaps the older generation could learn something from the younger!

For example, older generations tend to get in the mindset that the way things have always been done are the only way.  Obviously, we ought to submit to God’s unchanging Word, but we must also re-examine from time to time to make sure we aren’t caught up in traditions we ourselves have created (Matthew 23:4, Mark 7:8-9, 1 Timothy 4:3)!

Matthew 15:3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition..?”

Sometimes we impose dress codes, or refuse to change the time of services, or otherwise seek to impose rules with no Scriptural basis but rather based on habit or "the way we’ve always done things."  Not all change is bad and some is actually necessary, therefore the older generation should not be so resistance to making such changes!

Obviously, the older generation is obligated to train up the younger, passing on their knowledge of God’s Word through instruction and example.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Perhaps part of the problem is that the some of the older generation fell short in this duty.  Perhaps this is why many young people have either left the church or never even joined to begin with!

It's certainly a great responsibility to bear, but God is with us and through His strength the older generation has the opportunity to have a profound impact on the younger generation!

Psalm 71:18  Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.

Each generation should build upon the foundation put down by the other!

Generational Unity in Christ

We know that Christ unifies us regardless of our nationality, social status, and gender…

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

But recall that God also unifies us into a single generation!

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…

As we can see, every generation has an obligation not only to God, but also to each other.

Let us look beyond our differences and reach across generations to build each other up, always respect one another in Godly love, and seek to forge genuine relationships with the goal of encouraging and edifying one another.  

Psalm 27:1

Concerning Angels

Hebrews 13:2 tells us, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

Considering that we never know when we are in the company of angels, it is fitting that we learn more about these heavenly guests!

Many people would probably be surprised to find that much of what we think we know about angels actually comes from sources outside of the Bible.  Paintings, books, cartoons, and movies have shaped the popular perception of angels, rather than study of Scripture.

The appearance, temperament, and tasks of angels is just a few of many Biblical truths that would likely shock those in a secular understanding, but even seasoned students of the Bible might find themselves surprised by this topic.

Christians themselves sometimes have great misconceptions when it comes to angels!  For example, one might think that there’s not to say about angels, that there’s just a limited amount of Scripture dedicated to them, or that angels are more of an Old Testament subject.

However, a further study reveals that angels are actually brought up in the Bible in almost 300 instances, with 108 mentions occurring in the Old Testament and 187 mentions in the New Testament!  It turns out we can actually gather a great deal of understanding about these beings!

The Appearance of Angels

When someone brings up the topic of angels, a few different mental images probably come to mind.  We might envision harps and halos.  Perhaps we think of an adorable cupid-like figure, a chubby baby with tiny wings.  Or maybe we envision a beautiful woman arrayed in glowing, flowing white robes.

Halos are never mentioned in the Bible.  Harps are mentioned once (in Revelation 14:2 – but the reference may actually be a description of the unique singing voices of angels).  Interestingly, Jesus taught that angels are without gender.

Matthew 22:29-30  Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven…”

So what do angels actually look like?  It turns out, the various angels described in the Bible might actually be kind of terrifying to behold in real life.  In fact, most people who encountered angels in the Bible fell flat on their face in terror.

The first angel mentioned in the Bible was the Cherub* with a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24) assigned to guard the Garden of Eden once Adam and Eve were sent away by God.  Cherubim – the subgroup of angels most commonly depicted as flying babies in secular media – aren’t actually as docile… or even the least bit cute.

Ezekiel details the frightening visage of Cherubim as seen in one of his prophecies.

Ezekiel 1:4-14  Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.  As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning.  And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.

An artist's depiction of a Cherub

This account seems to be but an approximation attempting to describe the indescribable, using worldly terms to define something otherworldly in nature.

Other angels are just as strange and imposing.  Seraphim** – “burning ones” or “nobles” in Hebrew – are another class of angels described in the Bible described by the prophet Isaiah who had seen them in a vision of God in the Temple.

Isaiah 6:1-7  In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said:  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”  And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.  So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”

An artist's depiction of a Seraph

Most of the time however, it is written that we would be unaware of an encounter with an angel in their true form (Hebrews 13:2).  Typically angels are invisible to mankind or come in the guise of humans as we see in the accounts with Balaam (Number 22:31-39) and Abraham (Genesis 18) for example.

What are Angels?

Despite the abundance of knowledge to be found in Scripture concerning angels, there’s certainly an aura of mystery that surrounds them.  In some ways they are like mankind and in other ways they are completely different.  Despite their heavenly heritage, it would be a mistake to think of angels as being comparable to God.

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Angels are spiritual entities created by God, possibly existing before the creation of the Universe (there is no mention of them recorded in Genesis 1 where most of the created things are mentioned by name).

Like humans, they are sentient beings with free will.

Unlike humans, angels are not wholly physical but they are not without bodies.  They are described as spiritual, metaphysical creatures with “celestial bodies”.

1 Corinthians 15:39-40 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.  There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

Being heavenly inhabitants, it’s easy to think of angels as sharing characteristics with God.  However, this is not the case at all; God is a completely different being with His own totally unique characteristics.    


Angels are Heavenly, but not Eternal.  God is called everlasting because He has no beginning or ending.  He exists beyond time.  Since angels – like all other creatures – were created by God, they have a beginning.  Now, like humans, they may very well endure into eternity, but they cannot be considered eternal in the same sense as God.


Angels are Spiritual, but not Infallible.  It’s easy to think of angels as being completely righteous beings like God, but it is important to remember that angels do have free will, and are therefore fallible.  Like mankind, they can choose to whether serve God or not.  The most infamous of angels is the fallen Satan who led a rebellion against God.  Therefore we read that some angels actually can’t be trusted.

Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Angels are Wise, but not All-knowing.  We may think of angels may be privy to information withheld from mankind.  This may be the case as they have the benefit of residing Heaven, but humanity has had knowledge revealed to them by the Holy Spirit that angels weren't previously aware of.  Additionally, we see that God keeps some knowledge to himself.  Therefore, angels are are far from omniscient.

1 Peter 1:12  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.


Angels are Swift, but not Omnipresent.  We know that God’s presence is universal, His spirit spans all of creation and cannot be contained (1 Kings 8:27, Isaiah 66:1).  Angels, however fast they may be with their movements likened to lightning cannot be “two places at once”.  In every mention of angels appearing on Earth, their manifestation appears to be localized and limited to one location.


Angels are not All-powerful.  While they have powers over mankind, their strength pales in comparison to the power of our omnipotent, almighty God.  We know that most angels are subservient to God.

Psalm 103:20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

A Warning against Angel Worship

Since we see that angels are lesser beings than God, it is important to note that angel worship is a form of false worship that would be unacceptable to God!  We can not lift any created thing above the Creator!

Romans 1:24-25  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Colossians 2:18  Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind...

What is the Role of Angels?

Popular depictions in various media would have us thinking that angels mainly spend their time hanging out around Heaven singing in choirs.  While there is some evidence that angels do engage in such activities (Revelation 14:2-3, Luke 2:13-14), they actually are quite active in the Earthly realm.  In Hebrews 1:13-14 angels are described as “ministering spirits” and at various points in Biblical history, angels have taken on a number of roles.


Angels Reveal God’s Will.  The Greek word “angelos” and the Hebrew word “malak” are both more or less translated as “messenger.”  In fact, there are some instances, these words occasionally refer to prophets or other human messengers (Haggai 1:13; Malachi 2:7, 3:1).  Most of the time, however, these words refer to angels.  Certainly, this is in keeping with what we see angels doing in Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments.

We can read of angels providing revelations to Daniel by the Archangel Gabriel, an angel appeared in the dreams of Joseph to notify him of Jesus’ coming birth in first two chapters of Matthew, “an angel of God” brought instructions Cornelius in Acts 10:1-6 that led to his salvation, and Philip was led to preach to the Ethiopian by “an angel of the Lord” in Acts 8.  While it's unclear if this is a present activity of angels, it’s abundantly clear that, at least in the past, angels have been actively involved in revealing God’s will.


Angels Protect God’s People.  Throughout the Bible, angels have taken on the role of protectors.  In the Old Testament angels provided miraculous protection of Israel.  Today it seems that angels offer spiritual protection to the saints.

Psalm 34:4-7  I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.  They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalm 91:11-12 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

While we do read of angels serving as defenders in some unseen fashion, it is a bit of a leap to go as far as to say all of humanity is assigned a personal “guardian angel” that protects them from all harm as we know all to well that saints get sick, are persecuted, and die in spite of angelic protection.


Angels Execute God’s Judgement.  In the spiritual realm we read of how angels fought against Satan and his demons, ultimately casting them out of Heaven.

Revelation 12:7-9 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

But angels have also been tasked with executing God’s judgement on Earth.  The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 and the punishment of Israel with pestilence in 2 Samuel 24 were both carried out by angels.

In the future, angels will continue playing a role in this area.   On the Judgement Day angels will accompany Jesus when He returns (Matthew 16:27, 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7) and it will be the angels who gather the wicked on that day.

Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.


Angels Accompany the Righteous Dead.  On the positive side, as they await the Judgement Day angels are kept busy with the receiving of “the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:23) and taking them into Paradise as we see in the account of the rich man and Lazarus.

Luke 16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.


Angels Praise and Worship God.    Finally, angels are praising and worshiping God in Heaven in glorious scenes such as those found in Revelation.

Revelation 5:11-14 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

Angels and Our Salvation

I hope that this has been a beneficial study that has revealed some insights concerning a very deep topic.  Certainly, this is just scratching the surface on the subject of angels.  In a future lesson I hope to discuss a few more topics concerning angels.

But before we conclude this lesson, I’d like to turn our attention to the matter of salvation.

It should be encouraging to us to know that angels are concerned with our salvation.

Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

All the more reason that we heed the Word revealed by God!

Hebrews 2:1-4  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

* Cherub is the singular form, Cherubim is the plural
** Seraph is the singular form, Seraphim is the plural

The Danger of the Tongue

The picture used in the header is a collage of photographs that Norman Rockwell would utilize as a reference to create his painting "The Gossips."  While the piece is meant to be whimsical, it also serves to demonstrate the how gossip can spread across and entangle a community and reminds us to avoid the practice.

We'll return to the topic of gossip later, but for now, let's talk about words.

We're familiar with the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  Unfortunately, we know all too well that this is not always true.  We know that words can actually be quite devastating...

The Powerful Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 says that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue…" 

How is it possible that the tongue, something so small, could hold so much power?

James 3:5-12 explains "…So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?  Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water."

We must understand that we are not only responsible for the actions that we make in this life, but also the words that we speak.

The tongue is capable of good or evil and even though we just read that we cannot fully tame it, we need to do our best to try.

A saying that we are all familiar with:  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Unfortunately, this is not always true!

Words have meaning.  Words are powerful.  We forget sometimes just how powerful our words, for good or evil, can be!

Offensive Language

One of the most obvious ways that our tongue can lead to sin is through the use of offensive language.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say, “They’re just words!”  Words have meaning and overuse doesn’t diminish the meaning.  Just because someone has personally become desensitized to using racial slurs, curse words, and other forms of offensive language doesn’t mean that others have.

For those that think that “they’re just words” and it doesn’t matter what kind of language they use, Ephesians 5:3-5 states:  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

In this verse we see offensive language as being equal with fornication, uncleanness, covetousness and idolatry and is apparently serious enough that those who use it should not inherit the kingdom of Christ and God.

I think that one of the major reasons that offensive language is such a problem is that people can become callous to it, not only using it in moments of wrath but integrating it into our everyday speech.  Thanks to our music, movies, TV, and the internet, we are ever-increasingly exposed to this filthiness (dirty language), foolish talking, and coarse jesting (dirty jokes).  We must be extremely careful to not conform to the world and become callous to the use of offensive language.

I was listening to a song the other day that mentioned offensive language:  “Ever since I learned how to curse, I’ve been using those sorry old words. But, I’m talkin’ to these children, and I’m keeping it clean. I don’t need those words to say what I mean. No, I don’t need those words to say what I mean...”

Curse words don’t enhance our language in any way and, as the song pointed out, we don’t need them to say what we mean.

Just as we read earlier in Ephesians, instead of engaging in unrighteous ways, we should seek what is fitting for saints and live worthy of our calling.

Angry Words

One of the easiest ways for the tongue to cause trouble is when we exhibit anger.  In the heat of an argument, we say many things which are hurtful.  We can never take these words back once they’ve escaped our mouths.  In an instance, a relationship can be damaged forever.

We sometimes sing a song from our hymn book called “Angry Words”.  Let us examine the lyrics:

Angry words! O let them never,

From the tongue unbridled slip,

May the heart's best impulse ever,

Check them ere they soil the lip.

Love is much too pure and holy,

Friendship is too sacred far,

For a moment's reckless folly,

Thus to desolate and mar.

Angry words are lightly spoken,

Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,

Brightest links of life are broken,

By a single angry word.

Love one another thus saith the Savior,

Children obey the Father's blest command,

Love each other, love each other,

'Tis the Father's blest command.

In the latter part of Matthew 12:34, Jesus says that "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."  

What is in our heart?  Hopefully, like our Savior, its love.

1 Corinthians 13:5-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth...

A Christian’s speech should reflect the love and truth that is in his/her heart.

When anger strikes, which it does when we sometimes least expect it, we need to remember these words:  Psalm 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin.  Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Just as it says in the Psalms, it’s OK to be angry, but not to sin.  When we get angry, instead of responding with words that we’ll only regret saying later, we need to take a deep breath and take a moment to gain perspective and calm down.

Gossip

When I was in elementary school we would sometimes play the “telephone game”, in which someone in the class would make up a message and whisper it to another classmate who would whisper it to another and so on and so forth until finally the last student in the class would repeat the message that was whispered to them.  Often times, the final message would bear little resemblance to the original.

The results of the telephone game were comical, but the game reveals a very real and scary truth about gossip.  Someone sees or hears something and tells somebody else and before long, everyone has heard the news.

Ecclesiastes 10:14 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness— and fools multiply words.

Gossip can be devastating.  We all know of marriages, jobs, and even churches that have been torn apart by gossip.  The tragic part is that sometimes the tales being told in gossip aren’t even true to begin with!  A life can be destroyed through false testimony!

Proverbs 25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. 

Long story short:  At the workplace, among friends, wherever:  A Christian should make every effort to not participate in gossip!

Additionally, we must be extra careful with our opinions because sometimes we can become unwilling participants in gossip.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Therefore, we must always be careful in our words, because sometimes they can become gossip when our conversations are overheard.

Promises/Oaths

We might think that making a promise would be a good thing, a sign of trustworthiness.  However, another way our tongue could land us in trouble is when we make promises and oaths.

Proverbs 6:2 You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.

When we make an oath, we are obligated to perform what we have promised.

Jesus stated in Matthew 5:33-37: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’  But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.  But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.  

Jesus states that under the Old Law that it was forbidden to make false oaths or to go against your word.  But Jesus takes this to the next level and states that we shouldn’t even make oaths at all, but instead let our “Yes” be “Yes” and our “No” be “No”!

Our simple statement of “Yes” or “No” should be our oath.

I know people that can’t even be trusted unless they make an oath of some kind.  They can’t let their “Yes” be “Yes” and their “No” be “No”.  And as if that isn’t bad enough, half the time you can’t even trust their promises.  They have become so callous to lying that it is like second nature to them.

The Deceitful Tongue

In writing about the wicked man, Psalm 10:7 says: His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

Proverbs 17:20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

This one is a bit of a "no-brainer":  A lying tongue produces evil.  False witness is a sinful practice.  Jesus Himself was crucified over false witness.

Empty Words

The devil can be very subtle in his workings.  Sometimes things that appear to be harmless and the farthest thing in the world from sin can become so.  I would argue that the phrase “just kidding” can become problematic.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:36-37 "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

The phrase “empty words” could be interpreted in any number of ways.  To me, it seems that “empty words” are words that have we intentionally or unintentionally put no meaning behind.  Empty words are words that we are not taking seriously.  As we read earlier, our “Yes” should be “Yes” and our “No” should be “No” and to me it seems that all of our words should be taken as it is.

If we say something untrue or hurtful, we’ve already said it and we can’t take it back and we can’t just turn around and then say “just kidding”, and just expect it to go away.

Speak Wisely

Proverbs 10:19 says, "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise"

Reading this verse, I can’t help but be reminded of the quote by Mark Twain:  “It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”

Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. 

Let us be wise in our words.  Let us use our words to build others up rather than tear them down.  Let us speak positively and seek to encourage and edify.

Some practical advice when it comes to our use of words: Think first, speak second...  And remember, God gave you two ears and one mouth; Perhaps that means that we should listen more than we should speak!


Let our pledge be that of the Psalmist in Psalm 39:1: "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle."

Lessons from Cain and Abel

At a cursory glance there would seem to be little to glean from the account of Cain and Abel aside from the most basic of lessons.  To many, the “moral of the story” may merely be: Murder is wrong.

However, a deeper study can reveal further insights.  Through this account we can learn about God’s attitude toward worship, the nature of sin, and more.

Let us turn our attention to the account of Cain and Abel once again to see what wisdom we can attain from it.

Not All Worship is Acceptable to God

Notice that Cain becomes angry with Abel when he realizes that God respects Abel’s offering, but not his own.

Genesis 4:3-5 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Apparently there was something wrong with Cain’s offering.  Was it the offering itself or was it the attitude of Cain?  Throughout the Old Testament we read that God commanded blood sacrifice from various livestock.  Abel supplied such an offering from his flock while Cain, a “worker of the ground”, offered some manner of fruit or vegetable.  Cain was disappointed to find that what he deemed an acceptable offering to God was not actually acceptable in the eyes of God.

If we’re not careful, we can make the same mistake today…  God’s Word gives us clear instructions for the manner in which we ought to worship.  If we deviate from God’s pattern, God is not pleased.  It was true in the Old Testament, it remains true in the New Testament.

Matthew 15:9  And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
The commandments of God are what matter, not the commandments of men.  We must understand that regardless of what mankind may reckon to be acceptable to God, if it is outside of God’s pattern He will not be pleased.  Our worship can be in vain if we are not following God’s pattern.

The Faith of Abel

What was it that made Abel’s offering so pleasing to God?

Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

The Hebrew writer tells us that Abel’s faith was an integral component in God recognizing his offering as pleasing.  It was Abel’s faith that guided him into righteousness in God’s sight.  We can follow in Abel’s footsteps today.  How?

Romans 10:17  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith in God’s Word provides us with all the instruction we need in how we ought to worship and live righteously.

Faith is essential for pleasing God.

Hebrews 11:6  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Faith is essential for salvation.

John 8:24  Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.

If we desire to please God and attain His salvation, faith like Abel’s is vital!

You Cannot Worship with the Wrong Attitude

We have already discussed the possibility that Cain’s offering was not pleasing to God because it went against His instructions for proper sacrifice.  But further study reveals that this was just part of Cain’s problems…

1 John 3:12  …Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Here Cain’s works are called evil.  Even before Cain murdered His brother, we see that his heart was not in the right place.  God speaks to Him and warns him of future sin.

Genesis 4:7  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.

Our method of worship is important, but the attitude that accompanies that worship is just as important!

John 4:24  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

It’s not enough to worship God “in truth”, adhering to God’s pattern of worship detailed in Scripture, but we must also worship God “in spirit”; We must have the proper attitude.  Cain did not exemplify the proper attitude when it came to worship.

Mark 11:25-26  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Cain was jealous of his brother and angry with him while seeking to worship God.  Are we guilty of the same?  Are we coming to worship God with sin in our heart?

Sin is Avoidable

It is important to realize that the story of Cain and Abel did not have to play out the way that it did.  Cain could have avoided sin altogether.  In fact, we read that God actually encouraged Cain to do the right thing and reminded him that he had the power to overcome temptation.

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.

Cain, had free will, just as we all do today.  It is only when we succumb to temptation that we engage in sin.

Matthew 26:41  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

To avoid sin we must seek the strength of God.  Only in doing so can we overcome the weakness of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God offers to help us avoid temptation and sin, but we have to be actively involved with a willing spirit.

The Progression of Sin

The account of Cain and Abel clearly illustrates the progressive nature of sin.  At first, Cain was merely jealous of Abel.  He was angry that Abel’s offering was pleasing to God while his own offering was not.  This anger escalated to the point that Cain lashed out at his brother in a murderous rage.

Jesus tells us that all sin – murder included – begins in the heart.

Matthew 5:21-22  You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

The argument of the proverbial “slippery slope” is a very unpopular one, but that is the way sin works!

James 1:13-16  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

The unfortunate, ultimate conclusion of sin is spiritual death, eternal separation from God.  It all begins when we allow sin to have even the slightest foothold in our heart.  We must strive to avoid temptation at all cost!

You Can’t Hide Sin from God

Sometimes we read of God asking questions to which He already knows the answers.

This is a phenomenon that I understood somewhat as a teacher, but now have a much better understanding of as a parent;  When one of my students or my child does something wrong, one of the first things I do is ask them what they did, not because I don’t know, but because I want them to understand the seriousness of the misdeed they chose to engage in.

In the same manner God confronts Cain with his own sinful deed, helping him understand the gravity of the situation…

Genesis 4:10  And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Whether it’s Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:9), Cain, King David (2 Samuel 12:1-15), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), or us today…  God knows when we commit sin.  We cannot hide any wrongdoing from His sight.

Numbers 32:33  But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.

We know that we will be judged according to our works.

Ecclesiastes 12:14  For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

We Are Our Brother’s Keeper

In the course of being confronted by God - standing condemned of the horrible sin of killing his brother - Cain actually has the nerve to ask Him, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

God doesn’t bother to answer Cain’s evasive inquiry, but a Christian knows that the answer to that question is “Yes!”

James 2:15-17  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

We cannot ignore the needs of those around us.  Christians are obligated to care for others!
While this is certainly true in the physical sense, it is also true in the spiritual sense.  The spiritual well-being of others must also be our concern!

Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

As Christians, we are to love all.  This particularly applies to those within the church, but we are charged with looking out for the well-being of all we come into contact with.  We must love our neighbor!

1 John 4:20-21  If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

God Still Loved Cain

Of course, the story of Cain does not end with the murder of his brother.  After God confronts Cain with his sin, Cain is given his sentence.  We read that Cain is cursed to be an exile for the rest of his days, wandering the Earth as a fugitive.  Subsequently, Cain becomes fearful and worries that he will be killed.

There seems to be no evidence that Cain was ever remorseful for his sin nor that he ever repented.  His name actually became synonymous with rebellion (Jude 1:11).

However, in spite of all this, we see that God still cared for Cain.

Genesis 4:15  Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

In the same way, Christ cares for us today.

Romans 5:8  For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We have all been guilty of sin.  For such rebellion we deserve death.  We certainly do not deserve forgiveness.  But Christ loves us so much that He was willing to die for us anyway and make forgiveness – the remission of sin – possible.

What are we willing to give in return for this indescribable, unrepayable gift?

Let’s strive to be better than Cain and take a cue from the faithful offering of Abel.

Psalm 51:16-19  For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—  These, O God, You will not despise.  Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;  Build the walls of Jerusalem.  Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;  Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

Based on a lesson by John Baxter