228. Mirror Before Sword: The Power of Self-Reflection

[00:00:08] Hi friends, welcome to another episode of Making Disciples. My name is Cris and I am your host. Warm, warm welcome to you. I hope that you're doing alright. I hope that you are continuing to grow and step out as a disciple and I hope this podcast is still helping you in doing that. Today's episode, some episodes are head, some are heart and some are hands. I would say today's is a bit of a heart and a hands-on.

[00:00:40] So much as to challenge maybe the way that we might behave and then might give us some practical application steps for how to do something differently. I was recently visiting a church. I put it like that. I was visiting a church and end of the service as you do. You're having coffee, you're chatting to people and just overheard a conversation between you and you're having a conversation.

[00:01:08] I kind of felt that the dynamic between the two people wasn't quite equals. It was clearly that one of the people had slightly more power in the relationship than the other. And they were having this conversation and I felt that the individual who had the more power, I felt that they used the Bible or particular passages of the Bible in such a way that I felt that they were using the Bible.

[00:01:38] They weren't using it as a way of being helpful, but almost weaponizing it, using the Bible to bring judgment or to teach somebody else something that they should know.

[00:01:53] You know, you should know this kind of thing. And on one hand, you know, what they were saying, actually I wouldn't disagree with a lot of what they were saying,

[00:02:02] but there was just something about the heart. There was something about the way that they were challenging this other individual, the way that they were using the Bible.

[00:02:09] It kind of worried me a little bit and I thought, hmm, that's an interesting episode for maybe for us to look at on making disciples.

[00:02:18] Essentially thinking about how do we use the Bible to correct ourselves, but also to correct others.

[00:02:25] So I thought that's what we would look at today. And I hope you find this challenging, but also encouraging because challenging, but also helpful.

[00:02:36] Now, how do we use the Bible in a way that's healthy and that is good and correct and not manipulative to direct somebody else,

[00:02:46] but to create an environment where we all can flourish in the name of Jesus.

[00:02:51] So that's what we're going to look at in today's episode. Friends, don't forget, share, like, tell people about the podcast.

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[00:03:36] So friends, let's jump in as we talk today a little bit about using the Bible as a sword or as a mirror.

[00:03:53] So as I said a moment ago, I just overheard this conversation between two individuals in a church service at the end of a service where I felt one of the individuals was potentially using the Bible as a weapon rather than as something that would be helpful.

[00:04:11] And I don't want to give too much of it away because I wouldn't want the people to ever listen to this.

[00:04:17] He was talking about me there.

[00:04:19] But I came away from that particular church service and bizarrely found on my social media a line that was like, that's just what I experienced.

[00:04:31] And this line was this.

[00:04:33] Before you use God's word as a sword, use it first as a mirror.

[00:04:40] Before you use God's word as a sword, use it as a mirror.

[00:04:44] In other words, before you use the Bible to weaponize it against somebody else or as a way of attacking somebody else, use it first and foremost as a mirror to speak back into your life.

[00:04:58] In other words, correct yourself before you go on to use it to correct others.

[00:05:04] So I really liked that.

[00:05:06] I was like, yeah, how often do we use the Bible as a sword rather than as a mirror?

[00:05:10] And I really like that.

[00:05:12] So I'm going to use that imagery of the mirror and the sword in today's episode.

[00:05:17] But let's just back up a second.

[00:05:19] Why?

[00:05:19] Why do we weaponize the Bible?

[00:05:22] Why do we do it?

[00:05:23] And I think I just want to try and diagnose a little bit what is going on in us when we do that.

[00:05:31] Either using the Bible to back up your argument, using the Bible as a way of correcting others.

[00:05:38] And you're correcting others not just because they need help or they need some direction or they need some change or there's something not quite right.

[00:05:49] And you're doing it humbly.

[00:05:50] There's another way of using it.

[00:05:52] So here are just a few ideas around how, you know, why might we use the Bible to do this, use it as a weapon against others.

[00:05:59] Number one, power and control.

[00:06:01] Too often we use the scripture as a weapon to dominate or manipulate others.

[00:06:06] And it really reminds me of Matthew 23, 4, where the religious leaders are talking to you.

[00:06:12] And it says that you use the scripture to tie up heavy burdens, burdenless loads and put them on people's shoulders.

[00:06:21] And the image that Jesus is giving is people that are using the Bible to weigh others down.

[00:06:26] And, you know, Jesus clearly says in Matthew 20, whoever wants to become a great among you must be your servant.

[00:06:35] Too often we use things to use it for power and control rather than as servants using these things to help others.

[00:06:45] So the danger sometimes that you might want to use the Bible because it makes you feel powerful or it means that you can control somebody else.

[00:06:53] Similarly, I would say number two, self-righteousness or pride.

[00:06:56] Sometimes we use the Bible because we want to be clever or we want others to think that we are better than them.

[00:07:04] And so we might use the Bible in such a way that we're using it to show somebody else how much more I know than you do, that kind of thing.

[00:07:15] So we end up using the Bible information, the knowledge to appear slightly spiritually superior.

[00:07:24] And I think about the Pharisees.

[00:07:27] It says in Luke 18, 11, God, I thank you that I am not like the other people.

[00:07:34] That's what the Pharisees said.

[00:07:36] And sometimes that's what we do because of our self-righteousness and our pride.

[00:07:41] We think too hardy of ourselves.

[00:07:43] We think we have it all together and they don't.

[00:07:46] We can end up using the Bible as a bit of a weapon against others because I'm actually more important than you because I know it more or I've done this.

[00:07:53] And, you know, you need to learn from me because I've been there kind of thing.

[00:07:57] And so rather than do it as a humble thing and it's about self-righteousness and pride.

[00:08:03] Sometimes we might use the Bible as a weapon because we're actually deflecting away from ourselves.

[00:08:07] I'm not doing okay.

[00:08:09] Therefore, I'm going to use the scriptures as a weapon to you to make myself feel better.

[00:08:15] So we're deflecting and we're deflecting away from personal things that may be going on inside of us.

[00:08:21] Number four, it might be because you have a vendetta around us.

[00:08:25] You dislike somebody.

[00:08:27] You have decided that somebody is not okay.

[00:08:31] They're not nice or you have just your heart has just turned against them and you just can't be doing with them.

[00:08:39] And you end up using the Bible not out of love, but you end up using it as a way of attacking somebody that you've got a grievance against.

[00:08:49] So you're using the scriptures as a weapon because you're angry at somebody else.

[00:08:55] This totally contradicts James 1.20, which says human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

[00:09:03] You know, you are going to make nobody more righteous if you try to correct somebody out of your anger.

[00:09:09] Fifthly, why do we do this?

[00:09:10] I think there's something around culture.

[00:09:13] I think sometimes Christians can end up weaponizing the scriptures because there's been a culture around of criticism and critique.

[00:09:22] And it's not out of a real desire to love somebody.

[00:09:27] What's the phrase?

[00:09:30] I'm not going to be rude, but I'm not going to be rude, but whatever somebody says to me, I'm not going to be rude, but you're going to be rude.

[00:09:38] You're just teeing it up.

[00:09:39] So it's giving you permission to be rude in the same way.

[00:09:41] I think cultures emerge where people end up using the Bible to attack each other.

[00:09:48] Sometimes it's a culture of cleverness or I know more than you know, something like that.

[00:09:56] And, you know, finally, I would say my sixth point would be why do we do this?

[00:10:00] I think sometimes out of insecurity.

[00:10:01] Sometimes we feel insecure and we end up using the Bible to correct others or attack others because it makes me feel more secure.

[00:10:16] And we can end up using the Bible to try and make my position a better one, a stronger one.

[00:10:25] Because if I can put you down or correct you, then somehow I'm more right than you.

[00:10:31] So there's a whole, you know, you may come up with other examples about why people might do this.

[00:10:36] So this happens.

[00:10:38] People end up using the Bible as a sword rather than a mirror.

[00:10:44] So number one, the sword dynamic.

[00:10:47] It's biblical, friends.

[00:10:50] Turning scripture into a sword is biblical.

[00:10:51] Hebrews 4.12 is describing the word of God as a sword.

[00:11:04] So the word of God is a sharp weapon.

[00:11:07] Now, I would argue because it is a sharp weapon, we have to be careful how we use it.

[00:11:12] There may be a situation where you are using a sharp weapon not to help but to harm.

[00:11:21] And the scriptures need to be taken and given the reverence that they deserve because they are a weapon.

[00:11:30] They are a sword.

[00:11:31] They are sharp, sharper than any double-edged sword.

[00:11:35] Ephesians 6.17, it talks about spiritual warfare as the context.

[00:11:39] But it says this, take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

[00:11:44] So the scriptures are a sword.

[00:11:47] But does that mean it is okay for absolutely anyone to wield that sword against another Christian, against somebody else?

[00:11:57] Is it okay to take a weapon and use it against someone else?

[00:12:02] So I would say actually that there's a real responsibility that we have when it comes to wielding scripture as a sword.

[00:12:09] So 2 Timothy 2.15 says this,

[00:12:24] I think there's a real discussion for us to have around the weight of responsibility around correcting other people.

[00:12:33] The weight of responsibility around correcting other people.

[00:12:37] It seems to me that sometimes those that think they have the responsibility to correct somebody else,

[00:12:44] actually they're the most dangerous because they think they have the authority

[00:12:49] and they think that they have the responsibility to go around correcting others

[00:12:55] and telling others what they should or shouldn't do.

[00:12:57] I sometimes think they're the most dangerous because they're full of confidence,

[00:13:02] but actually I often find that their confidence is coming from a misplaced position.

[00:13:09] And actually if somebody is humble and gentle and kind,

[00:13:14] just desiring the Lord in their own life,

[00:13:17] then actually the way that they'll go around handling scripture is much more sensitive.

[00:13:23] And in some ways,

[00:13:24] rather than it being like a broad sword that you go around and just hit somebody with,

[00:13:28] you know, slasher, slasher sword,

[00:13:31] those who are humble and gentle and compassionate tend to be more like surgeons

[00:13:36] who use scripture to come and carefully cut away or help the patient to remove the thing that needs to be removed.

[00:13:49] Not in a harmful way, but in a corrective way.

[00:13:53] Now if you think about a broad sword,

[00:13:55] the way that that is used just to slash and to hit,

[00:13:58] and you think about a surgeon who comes in,

[00:14:03] who has full knowledge and control over that tool,

[00:14:07] they're able to get into something and deal with cancer or a problem with such precision.

[00:14:16] And I think that is the responsibility that we have to correct others,

[00:14:23] not with a slasher sword, just coming to hit and to harm,

[00:14:27] but actually somebody that comes in with precision and care

[00:14:32] and is able to wield this tool to actually to cut away

[00:14:36] and to remove the things that might need removing.

[00:14:41] So I would say, yes, scripture is a sword,

[00:14:46] but it is a sword that needs to be wielded carefully

[00:14:51] and it's not for everyone to wield.

[00:14:55] I would say that the task of correcting each other

[00:15:02] only comes through wisdom and time,

[00:15:06] where you actually are close to Jesus

[00:15:10] and you're able to carefully,

[00:15:12] because if not, all you do is harm people,

[00:15:14] hurt people, challenge people,

[00:15:16] and you end up with somebody in a bloody mess.

[00:15:19] And that's what I see time and time again.

[00:15:23] So scripture is a sword, but actually is also a mirror.

[00:15:27] So the phrase that I had, you know, was given was the,

[00:15:29] before you use God's word as a sword, use it as a mirror.

[00:15:34] So I want to say to you and I, friends,

[00:15:36] this is how we are to use scripture first and foremost,

[00:15:40] as a mirror.

[00:15:41] And James 1, 23, 24 says this,

[00:15:44] it's the mirror analogy.

[00:15:45] It said, anybody who listens to the word,

[00:15:47] but does not do what it says,

[00:15:48] is like one who looks at his face in a mirror

[00:15:50] and after looking at himself,

[00:15:52] goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

[00:15:56] Friends, how often do we glance at the scriptures

[00:15:59] without letting it permeate our hearts?

[00:16:02] So we look at the Bible,

[00:16:03] but we don't let it change us.

[00:16:05] The Bible is not a information book.

[00:16:08] It is not a text book.

[00:16:10] It is not a to-do book.

[00:16:12] It is a text to engage with

[00:16:16] and allow it to transform us

[00:16:17] and allow it to change us and penetrate us.

[00:16:20] And I think it's when scriptures penetrates our hearts

[00:16:23] and forms and shapes us,

[00:16:25] that's what the scripture is there for.

[00:16:27] It's a mirror to bring transformation

[00:16:31] rather than something that we just look at

[00:16:34] and then walk away as James talks about.

[00:16:37] So the Bible is there to give us self-examination.

[00:16:41] Self-examination.

[00:16:42] I love it in Psalm 139 where David says,

[00:16:45] search me God and know my heart,

[00:16:48] test me and know my anxious thoughts.

[00:16:51] Self-examination,

[00:16:53] having the courage to ask God to reveal our flaws.

[00:16:58] That is what the mirror is about.

[00:17:01] God used the scripture as a mirror

[00:17:03] to speak to me and show me and reveal to me

[00:17:08] the things that need to be dealt with.

[00:17:11] So the Bible is a mirror

[00:17:13] and foremost it's a mirror to you and I.

[00:17:18] It is a mirror.

[00:17:19] Friends, don't let scripture be a sword in your hand

[00:17:23] until first and foremost it's been a mirror

[00:17:25] to you yourself,

[00:17:27] to your own life,

[00:17:29] to your own heart.

[00:17:30] So real application here.

[00:17:35] Lamentations 340 says,

[00:17:36] let us examine our ways and test them

[00:17:39] and let us return to the Lord.

[00:17:41] And 1 Corinthians 11 says,

[00:17:43] everybody ought to examine themselves

[00:17:45] before they eat and drink from this cup.

[00:17:47] Now that particular last passage is talking about communion,

[00:17:50] examining ourselves before we receive communion.

[00:17:52] But this idea of examining ourselves,

[00:17:56] taking time to examine and to ask the question,

[00:18:00] what's really going on inside of me?

[00:18:03] So two things I think.

[00:18:05] How do we use the Bible as a mirror to examine us?

[00:18:09] First, let's just use the idea of the personal devotional time.

[00:18:14] Taking time personally with your mirror

[00:18:17] to allow scripture to speak into your life.

[00:18:21] Allowing the scriptures as a mirror to speak into your life.

[00:18:25] So I would say,

[00:18:26] consider getting a time each day for self-reflection.

[00:18:32] You know, David's example from Psalm 55 is,

[00:18:35] evening, morning and noon,

[00:18:37] I cry out in distress and hear my,

[00:18:39] he hears my voice.

[00:18:41] Setting times of day to reflect,

[00:18:44] self-examination.

[00:18:45] Finding a quiet place,

[00:18:48] a space with little distractions,

[00:18:52] where you can go and pray and hide with God

[00:18:56] and allow God to kind of not only speak into your life,

[00:19:00] but to have that conversation with him.

[00:19:02] And I know many of those that listen to the podcast

[00:19:04] really enjoy and appreciate journaling.

[00:19:07] And I'm going to interview a few people in the new year

[00:19:09] around journaling

[00:19:10] and how to use a journal

[00:19:11] in terms of prayer journal,

[00:19:13] but life journal

[00:19:14] as you journal your experiences through scripture

[00:19:16] and maybe your reflections

[00:19:18] on what God is saying to you through the scripture.

[00:19:20] So journaling,

[00:19:21] take some time

[00:19:22] to reflect with God,

[00:19:24] to be quiet,

[00:19:25] to journal

[00:19:26] and to use the Bible as a mirror

[00:19:28] asking how does this passage

[00:19:30] reveal areas where I need growth?

[00:19:33] You know,

[00:19:33] where,

[00:19:34] this passage I'm reading here,

[00:19:36] what's it revealing to me?

[00:19:38] And then,

[00:19:40] in that place of self-reflection,

[00:19:42] here are some questions

[00:19:43] that could be really helpful.

[00:19:46] Am I allowing God's word to transform me?

[00:19:50] Or am I merely acquiring knowledge?

[00:19:55] There is a danger that sometimes

[00:19:56] we use the Bible

[00:19:57] as knowledge,

[00:20:01] knowledge acquirement.

[00:20:03] We're just acquiring

[00:20:04] more and more information.

[00:20:06] And actually,

[00:20:07] God doesn't want us

[00:20:08] to have more information.

[00:20:09] He wants us to have

[00:20:11] transformation.

[00:20:12] He wants that information

[00:20:14] to transform us.

[00:20:16] So questions like,

[00:20:18] what patterns in my life

[00:20:19] need to change

[00:20:20] and align more closely

[00:20:21] with scripture?

[00:20:23] What about,

[00:20:24] how am I responding

[00:20:25] in conviction

[00:20:27] to the Holy Spirit

[00:20:28] through this passage?

[00:20:30] Where's the Holy Spirit

[00:20:30] trying to convict me?

[00:20:33] What about a question like,

[00:20:35] in what areas

[00:20:36] am I resisting God's leading

[00:20:39] or resisting God's teaching

[00:20:41] or direction?

[00:20:44] And then a Psalm 51

[00:20:46] talks about,

[00:20:47] am I being honest

[00:20:48] with myself

[00:20:49] about my spiritual

[00:20:51] condition?

[00:20:52] So using the Bible

[00:20:53] as this mirror

[00:20:54] to challenge ourselves

[00:20:56] and to speak in.

[00:20:58] And friends,

[00:20:59] only when the Bible

[00:21:01] has been a mirror

[00:21:02] to ourselves

[00:21:03] and we've allowed

[00:21:04] that mirror

[00:21:05] to be like that surgeon

[00:21:08] that cuts into

[00:21:10] the things that need

[00:21:11] cut into

[00:21:11] to remove the things

[00:21:12] from us

[00:21:13] that need removing.

[00:21:14] Only then,

[00:21:15] only then,

[00:21:16] are we

[00:21:17] even remotely ready

[00:21:19] to use the scripture

[00:21:21] as a sword?

[00:21:23] To remotely use

[00:21:24] scripture as a sword?

[00:21:27] And Jesus talks about this

[00:21:28] and Jesus presents us

[00:21:30] with a model

[00:21:31] and it's a model

[00:21:32] in Matthew 7,

[00:21:33] 3-5

[00:21:34] and it says this,

[00:21:36] many of you might

[00:21:37] recognize it,

[00:21:37] the plank and speck

[00:21:39] principle.

[00:21:41] It says,

[00:21:42] why do you look

[00:21:42] at the speck

[00:21:43] of sawdust

[00:21:43] in your brother's eye?

[00:21:45] Pay no attention

[00:21:46] to the plank

[00:21:46] in your own.

[00:21:47] How can you say

[00:21:48] to your brother,

[00:21:49] let me take the speck

[00:21:50] out of your eye

[00:21:51] when all the time

[00:21:52] there's a plank

[00:21:52] in your own eye?

[00:21:54] You hypocrite,

[00:21:56] first take the plank

[00:21:57] out of your own eye

[00:21:59] and then you'll see

[00:22:00] clearly to remove

[00:22:01] the speck

[00:22:02] from your

[00:22:04] brother's eye.

[00:22:06] So Jesus talks

[00:22:07] about this,

[00:22:07] doesn't he?

[00:22:09] Using the mirror

[00:22:11] and the sword.

[00:22:12] Before you go in

[00:22:13] to remove something

[00:22:14] from somebody else,

[00:22:17] first look at yourself.

[00:22:20] First take the plank

[00:22:22] out of your own eye

[00:22:24] before you go

[00:22:25] to take the speck

[00:22:26] out of somebody

[00:22:27] else's eye.

[00:22:28] The neat thing

[00:22:29] about that parable

[00:22:30] is it basically

[00:22:31] challenges us

[00:22:32] to see that

[00:22:33] we probably have

[00:22:35] bigger issues

[00:22:36] than the person

[00:22:36] in front of us.

[00:22:38] You're criticising

[00:22:39] the speck

[00:22:39] when all along

[00:22:40] missing the fact

[00:22:41] that you've got a plank.

[00:22:42] So rather than using

[00:22:44] scripture as a sword,

[00:22:46] use it as a mirror

[00:22:48] because it might

[00:22:49] actually be

[00:22:50] that you've got

[00:22:50] more to be challenged

[00:22:52] on than the person

[00:22:53] in front of you.

[00:22:56] Other examples

[00:22:57] of where Jesus

[00:22:57] does this

[00:22:58] would be John 8,

[00:22:59] 7 where Jesus

[00:23:00] responds to the woman

[00:23:01] being caught in adultery.

[00:23:02] And what's Jesus

[00:23:03] say to the Pharisees?

[00:23:04] Let any one of you

[00:23:05] who is without sin

[00:23:07] be the first

[00:23:08] to throw a stone.

[00:23:11] Let anybody,

[00:23:12] any one of you

[00:23:13] who is without sin

[00:23:14] be the first

[00:23:15] to throw a stone.

[00:23:17] In other words,

[00:23:18] come on guys,

[00:23:19] we've all got sin.

[00:23:20] We've all got sin.

[00:23:22] And what we don't need

[00:23:23] is Pharisees

[00:23:25] wielding swords

[00:23:26] or Pharisees

[00:23:27] wielding stones.

[00:23:28] What we need is

[00:23:29] people who are going

[00:23:31] to use the mirror

[00:23:32] to check out

[00:23:33] their own problems

[00:23:34] first before we get

[00:23:35] anywhere near

[00:23:35] to correcting others.

[00:23:38] And friends,

[00:23:38] I have to check myself

[00:23:40] out with this

[00:23:40] all the time.

[00:23:41] Just because you've

[00:23:42] been a Christian

[00:23:43] a long time,

[00:23:44] just because you know

[00:23:44] a lot of the Bible,

[00:23:46] just because maybe

[00:23:46] you're a church leader

[00:23:47] or you're a small group leader

[00:23:49] or a lay leader

[00:23:50] in a church or something,

[00:23:51] the arrogance that says

[00:23:52] I've got it all sorted

[00:23:53] now,

[00:23:53] I can correct others.

[00:23:54] I am so careful

[00:23:56] before I challenge

[00:23:56] somebody else.

[00:23:57] In fact,

[00:23:58] I often sit on things

[00:23:59] for a little while

[00:24:00] before I do

[00:24:01] because I just want

[00:24:01] to make sure

[00:24:02] is my intention

[00:24:03] in correcting them

[00:24:05] coming from the right place

[00:24:07] or actually is this

[00:24:08] about me feeling

[00:24:10] powerful or right?

[00:24:12] The need to be right.

[00:24:14] So actually go slowly

[00:24:16] and ask the question

[00:24:16] is there something

[00:24:17] for me to learn first?

[00:24:19] So even I,

[00:24:21] you know,

[00:24:21] I will reflect on this

[00:24:23] and invite other

[00:24:23] church leaders

[00:24:24] to do the same.

[00:24:27] So practical steps

[00:24:28] for application.

[00:24:29] You know,

[00:24:30] what's this look like

[00:24:31] for your week ahead?

[00:24:32] Friends,

[00:24:33] I would say this,

[00:24:33] look at your own heart.

[00:24:35] Take some time this week

[00:24:36] to look at your own heart.

[00:24:39] Why is it important

[00:24:40] to you

[00:24:41] to correct others?

[00:24:42] Why is it important

[00:24:43] to you

[00:24:44] to be the one

[00:24:45] that's right

[00:24:46] or the one

[00:24:47] who has the best argument

[00:24:49] or the one

[00:24:49] who knows more

[00:24:50] than anybody else?

[00:24:51] Why is that so important

[00:24:52] to you?

[00:24:53] And I would question

[00:24:55] that behavior.

[00:24:56] Why?

[00:24:57] Why?

[00:24:57] Why?

[00:24:58] I would definitely say

[00:24:59] get yourself

[00:25:00] a routine of reflection.

[00:25:03] At what point in the day

[00:25:04] are you examining yourself?

[00:25:07] And there is a thing

[00:25:08] called the examine

[00:25:09] that you'd be welcome

[00:25:10] to Google

[00:25:11] and have a look at

[00:25:11] where at the end of the day

[00:25:12] you examine your day

[00:25:13] and you reflect

[00:25:14] on how the day has gone,

[00:25:16] what you want to leave behind

[00:25:17] or what you want

[00:25:18] to take forward.

[00:25:20] Journaling

[00:25:20] is a great way

[00:25:22] of self-examination

[00:25:24] when you journal.

[00:25:25] It prompts you

[00:25:26] to examine yourself carefully.

[00:25:30] I would definitely say

[00:25:31] take some time

[00:25:31] to think about those questions.

[00:25:32] I'm going to put them

[00:25:33] in the show notes.

[00:25:33] Questions to ask

[00:25:34] before confronting others

[00:25:37] just to check yourself out first.

[00:25:39] And I would say,

[00:25:41] friends,

[00:25:41] before we start wielding

[00:25:43] any Bible passage

[00:25:45] as a sword

[00:25:46] against somebody else,

[00:25:47] I would say

[00:25:48] we've got to build

[00:25:49] accountability

[00:25:50] in relationships.

[00:25:53] What should I say?

[00:25:55] Should I be speaking?

[00:25:57] What should I do?

[00:25:58] Having relationships

[00:25:59] that you can be accountable to.

[00:26:01] Is this the right time

[00:26:02] to speak?

[00:26:03] Or actually,

[00:26:04] should I remain quiet

[00:26:05] right now?

[00:26:05] I would definitely say

[00:26:07] getting some

[00:26:08] and building some

[00:26:09] relationships,

[00:26:10] accountability relationships

[00:26:11] are really important

[00:26:12] just to check yourself out

[00:26:14] before you speak

[00:26:15] to somebody else.

[00:26:15] So,

[00:26:16] before you use God's word

[00:26:18] as a sword,

[00:26:19] use it first

[00:26:20] as a mirror.

[00:26:22] Now,

[00:26:22] I'm not saying

[00:26:23] in any of that,

[00:26:24] am I,

[00:26:25] don't use the word of God

[00:26:26] as a sword

[00:26:27] to correct others.

[00:26:28] But I am encouraging you,

[00:26:30] think about how

[00:26:31] are you using it?

[00:26:32] Are you going to use it

[00:26:32] as a broad sword

[00:26:33] where you just

[00:26:33] slash at people,

[00:26:35] do damage?

[00:26:36] Are you going to become

[00:26:37] somebody like a surgeon

[00:26:38] who is skilled

[00:26:40] with the scriptures

[00:26:41] and able to use it

[00:26:42] to cut out

[00:26:43] and operate

[00:26:44] with someone else

[00:26:46] on what needs

[00:26:47] to be dealt with

[00:26:48] in their life?

[00:26:49] Which are you going to be?

[00:26:50] And I would definitely say

[00:26:51] word of God

[00:26:52] is like a two-edged sword.

[00:26:55] We know that.

[00:26:55] It's biblical.

[00:26:56] It's from Hebrews 4.

[00:26:57] But how are you going to use it?

[00:26:59] How are you going to use

[00:27:00] that weapon?

[00:27:01] Are you going to use it

[00:27:02] for harm?

[00:27:03] Are you going to use it

[00:27:03] for good?

[00:27:04] And therefore,

[00:27:05] before you do

[00:27:06] anything else,

[00:27:08] the place we start

[00:27:09] is using the Bible

[00:27:10] as a mirror

[00:27:11] to speak into

[00:27:12] your own life.

[00:27:13] Get yourself sorted

[00:27:15] before you sort

[00:27:17] out somebody else.

[00:27:18] And when you think

[00:27:18] you have finished

[00:27:19] and you think

[00:27:20] you are now sorted

[00:27:21] and you think

[00:27:22] you're now ready

[00:27:22] to correct somebody else,

[00:27:24] just check that out

[00:27:26] with somebody

[00:27:27] that you're accountable to

[00:27:28] because it may well be

[00:27:30] you're still

[00:27:30] going to soon.

[00:27:33] Friends,

[00:27:33] until next time,

[00:27:34] grace and peace.

[00:27:36] I hope that you

[00:27:37] have a great week ahead.

[00:27:38] And look forward

[00:27:40] to catching it

[00:27:40] with you soon.