Cursing

Cursing

It is imperative that we seek to honor Him with our words. The world's coarseness of speech is creeping in among God's people. It ought not be. God does clearly have a set standard of what words would please Him.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

There is a correlation between wholesome speech and growth in the Lord. May the Lord help us in this area to honor Him.


Exodus 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Leviticus 19:12
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Psalms 10:4,7The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue [is] mischief and vanity.

Psalms 59:12
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 29:24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.

Proverbs 12:6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Ecclesiastes 10:12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Criticism/ Rebuke

Criticism

Proverbs 9:8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 13:1, 8
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 15:31-33
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 24:25
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

Proverbs 27:5-6
Open rebuke is better than secret love. 
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Matthew 5:46-48
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 7:2
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

CHOICES

Choices

As children of God we are called daily to decide to do that which is honoring to Him. The choices made span the small to the very significant. Our attitude is a choice as well as the “major” decisions like one’s life partner or a new job. In all these things we are to seek His assistance to have the strength and or wisdom to do the honoring thing.

Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Proverbs 3:5-7, 11
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Proverbs 3:31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

CHEERFULNESS

Cheerfulness

Psalms 68:3
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.


Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.


Proverbs 15:15b
All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.


Proverbs 15:30a
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.


Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.


II Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

CHARACTER

The sort of person you are

Ruth 3:11
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou [art] a virtuous woman.


Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.


Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.


Acts 17:11-12
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.


Ideas for topics of personal study:
Truthfulness vrs. Deception
Obedience vrs. Willfulness
Sincerity vrs. Hypocrisy
Virtue vrs. Impurity
Forgiveness vrs Rejection

CHANGE

Change

Psalms 55:19
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

Eccl. 3:1-2
To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;

Philippians 4:12-13
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.


Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

MalachI 3:6
For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

COMFORT

Psalm 119:47-50
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Psalm 119:74-77
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments [are] right, and [that] thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law [is] my delight.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

II Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we becomforted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation. 
And our hope of you [is] stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so [shall ye be] also of the consolation.

II Corinthians 7:6
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

COMMITMENT

Commitment

Numbers 30:1b-2
This [is] the thing which the LORD hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Psalm 37:5-6
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. 
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Ecclesiastes 5:5
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Genesis 21:1-2 God committed to Sarah and Abraham and kept it.
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

I Peter 4:19
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

COMPLAINING

Numbers 11:1
And [when] the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard [it]; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed [them that were] in the uttermost parts of the camp.


Numbers 21:4-6
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.


I Corinthians 10:10a
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.


Phillippians 2 :14-16
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:


Jude 16
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

COMPROMISE

Compromise

Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Acts 20:35b
It is more blessed to give than to receive.

I Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Compromising standards

Proverbs 25:26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory. He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

CONCEITEDNESS

Conceitedness

Jeremiah 13:15
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

Romans 12:3
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:16b
Be not wise in your own conceits.

II Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;

II Corinthians 12:7 (Read passage….-verse 11)
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

Galatians 5:26
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

I Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

CONFIDENCE

Confidence

Proverbs3:25-26
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:34-36
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psalms 27:1 (recommend reading)
The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 71:5
For thou [art] my hope, O Lord GOD: [thou art] my trust from my youth.

Psalms 118:8
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

CONFORMITY

Conformity

Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

I Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

CONTENTMENT

Contentment

Ecclesiastes 4:6-8
Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit. Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yea, it [is] a sore travail.

Philippians 4:12
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I Timothy 6:6-8,11-12
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Hebrews 13:5
[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

COURAGE

COURAGE

Psalm 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 27:1,5, 13-14 (read whole chapter )
The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 46:1-2a
God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalm91:9-11
Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Isaiah 41:10, 13
Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

II Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.