Breaking Bad!!
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
The Amplified Bible says it like this:
29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
Let’s talk about this…
I’m sitting at my work desk, minding my own business, and out of the blue, I hear the words, “Breaking Bad” Shocked and thinking to myself, “Okay, Lord where are we going with this one?” Since I knew that the words I heard were also a title to an American crime drama series on television.
In that next moment, clearly the above scripture came to mind. I searched it out, and immediately felt it was something we needed to talk about.
Now, before I get started, let me be clear: I’m not talking to unbelievers here on this blog segment, but rather to the Christian, the Believer, and/or the church folk. If you hadn’t already noticed, it has been an awful and mind-boggling environment on these social media streets lately. In so much so, that I almost came to the point, of saying, “I quit!”
I couldn’t believe some of the things I was seeing and hearing, particularly from believers saying, “God said…or…God told me…”
Especially, when it doesn’t align with the character and the true nature of who God is, which always, emphasizes His love, justice, mercy or truth. Shocked and dismayed, seeing believers, manipulate the scripture to bringing fear, swearing (cussing) in the pulpits, and standing ten-toes down, believing they’ve heard from God.
And when you bring correction or disagree to their “error” in private, they will come back and blast you out openly in front of others, deflect to your faults, all the while dismissing the whole scripture that commands us to, “go to our brother if we have an ought.”
Which means, if we disagree, let’s talk about, and not bring outsiders in to what’s going on. Sadly, it seems many of us have made every disagreement a public display, read by ALL men.
Nevertheless, I’ll digress…
I must say, I have been grieved to the uttermost. Not just because of what’s being said, but for the less mature in the Body of Christ, who are seeing and listening to some the continuous bickering, fighting and fault-finding they are seeing. Let’s not forget to mention, the unbelievers who see no hope anywhere, when we’re supposed to be the bedrock, the example of what Christ has set in the earth. The “Ecclesia”, the church.
In Romans chapter 14 and 1 Corinthians chapter 8, the Apostle Paul, talks about personal convictions and our responsibility to our fellow believers in Christ. He highlights several topics over which believers have disagreements—food, drink, and sacred days etc. Basically, these chapters are both filled with “why” we just can’t “say what we please”…“do as we please” or as many of us like to say, “I’m just doing me” when we call ourselves Christians, or being “Christlike.”
In short it basically says: “9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be encouraged to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8: 9-12
“Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
Romans 14:13
In essence, a “stumbling-block” is something that gets in the way of another Christian's growth or progress. its not just food, drink, or special days.
It can make a weaker/immature believer trip and fall spiritually. Essentially, causing someone to lose faith in Jesus.
Then guess what? You’re going to be in trouble with God…
Beloved, we just can’t keep saying, “I’m doing me, I’m free! Or, “they just need to pray more, so they aren’t so sensitive!” Just because your conscience is freed in areas, does not mean another brother can handle your liberty! It should be our mindset to walk in peace and liberty with all men, so that we ourselves won’t become a “Stumbling- Block” to others.
The Greek word for “stumble” gives the sense of stubbing or hitting one’s toe, against something; Ouch! As Christians, we are urged not to do anything that may cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to “stub” their toe, spiritually speaking.
Stubbing a toe, can cause a person to fall in pain, both naturally and in a spiritual sense, damaging and weaken one’s faith.
In all things, the important lesson is to “make every effort to do what leads to peace!” In this way, God is glorified, believers are informed, and the world sees in us righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! Not a bickering and divided church.
People of God, I could beat this same dead horse all day long; nonetheless I think you know clearly what I’m talking about. We have to be extra careful how we’re living our lives in front of others and be even more attentive to what we say, God has said.
God doesn’t do anything that results in Him showing “BAD” character, causing others to turn from Him, instead of towards Him.
It’s time to BREAK the “BAD”…ijs
Blogger: Katherine P. Young
Email: queenisaservant@gmail.com
Connect With Me On: Facebook, Instagram and X
Comments