Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
December 27, 2011

Read: Ephesians 5:6

“Let no one deceive you with empty words…”

Don’t allow the empty voices of this world to talk you out of who you are called to be in Christ. Paul tells us here “Let no one deceive you with empty words for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” In the Greek text the word for “empty” is “Kenos”. It means “without content” or “without substance”. These are words that may be eloquent and beautiful on the outside but have no real meaning beyond the surface.

In our age of information where words are coming at us from all directions we have to be aware that many things we hear are without substance. People throw empty words around all the time. If we aren’t careful about what we give heed to we may find ourselves internalizing ideas about God and Christ that sound spiritual but have no basis in the full and nourishing word of God. I love inspirational quotes and positive ideas that motivate me to excellence. But whenever I read them I always make sure they line up with the truth of God’s word.

Jesus said to his disciples, “My words are spirit and life.” The words of Jesus are true bread for the soul. They nourish and strengthen us and keep us spiritually healthy. But friends we have to be careful of cheap substitutes. Just because you hear or read something that moves your emotions does not mean it is truth. I love beauty, but beauty does not equal truth. I love strong feelings. But feeling does not equal truth.

You know when Satan tempted Eve in the garden he told her what we all want to hear. He told her she could be her own goddess. I wonder if his temptation sounded like this:

“Dear sister don’t you want to reach your full potential? Aren’t you tired of living in fear and oppression? I suppose you can do alright in this provincial existence of yours. But I believe you were meant for more than this. You deserve better. You can be free from the constraints of tradition and find true fulfillment and peace. All of nature is beautiful and good. True spirituality does not inhibit us but rather frees us to embrace life without fear. Eve, you have a destiny and all you have to do to reach it is to take a leap of faith and reach for the golden apple. This is the day for a brave new world and you hold the key to not only your own self discovery but also that of future generations. Don’t just think of yourself. Think of the children! Look into the eyes of future generations and ask yourself. Don’t they deserve a chance to live free and happy? It is time to step out of your comfort zone and be the goddess you were meant to be. Do it for yourself. Do it for your world. Do it for the children. Come on Eve.  All you have to do is believe. This is your moment!”

He said to her with tears brimming and lip quivering. He called her to reach for her dreams and let nothing stop her from living the life she was meant to live. And the rest is history. Every day that scene is repeated as empty words are used to lure people away from the rock solid foundation of Christ and onto the shifting sands of this world and its vain philosophies. Just because they use words that move us does not mean we should be moved.

Today test the words you speak and the words you receive. Test them , not by how they make you feel, but by how they line up with the living word of God. The word became flesh and dwelt among us. He is with you today to keep you on the narrow road.

Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)