Teaching The Truth

"A man's words are a true index or evidence of his character; and they also react upon that character, and tend to confirm it for good or evil. Should, therefore, a person who has been for many years a member of a Christian Church indulge always, without restraint, in evil speaking; should he be in the habit of soiling his tongue with impure , or malicious, or false, or foolish words; what other conclusion can be drawn about his character than just that he is not a true Christian?" (The Pulpit Commentary)

"Many of you do not give the motives and principles of the gospel, which you say you believe, a chance of influencing you, because so interruptedly and spasmodically, and at such long intervals, and for so few moments, do you gaze upon them. Steadfast and continued attention is needful if we are to be 'doers of the work.' " (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)

"Religious knowledge is not the final result of religious instruction. Religious feeling is not the final result of religious instruction. Religious talk is not the final result of religious instrucion. Religious doing is the final result of religious instruction... The true hearer is 'the doer that worketh'; and the true preacher or teacher is he who can inspire men unto doing..." (Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)

"The Word of God, either preached or written, cannot effectively take hold of a person's life if he or she is not separated from moral filth and evil. God commands us as believers to set aside all the ungodly filth that permeates a corrupt society and seeks to influence us and our families. This filth will defile our souls and blight our lives." (Life In The Spirit Study Bible)

"Be calm, whatever may be the wickedness of the world. The supreme direction belongs to God, and He will dispose of it in the best way." (Barnes' Notes)

"Our natural tendency in respect to God's Word is to be slow to hear and quick to speak. Not fully understanding because of faulty listening, we are quick to jump to wrong conclusions, quick to judge, quick to say the worst, quick to offer advice. We so naturally pronounce opinions and verdicts on every situation and person. But we must keep in mind that 'slow to speak' is an ongoing command from the Holy Spirit Himself." (Preaching The Word)

"A true Christian is a creature begotten anew. He becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of divine grace as if he were formed over again, and born afresh." (Matthew Henry)

"We may be sure that whatever changes there may be in human affairs; whatever reverses we may undergo; whatever oceans we may cross, or whatever mountains we may climb, or in whatever worlds we may hereafter take up our abode, God is the same." (Barnes' Notes)

"Have you ever blamed your parents or other people for what you have become? Have you ever blamed circumstances for what you have done? Of course people and circumstances do affect us. However, one of the most significant ways we resist the work of God for our growth toward becoming 'mature and complete' is that we blame factors outside of ourselves for our sin."

"Just as holy trials are designed to bring out the best in us, so unholy temptations are designed to bring out the worst in us. One thing must be clearly understood. When we are tempted to sin, the temptation does not come from God. God does test or try men, as far as their faith is concerned, but He never tempts a man to commit any form of evil. He Himself has no dealings with evil and He does not entice to sin." (The Believer's Bible Commentary)