Communicating Ethically

I recently had to write a paper for a communications course on " A Scriptural Foundation for Communication Ethics." I thought I would share it with my readers. I had to repent a few times as I wrote the paper.

God Bless,

Sullivan

Perhaps no area is more important to the cause of ethics than how we use our words. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 15.4 (KJV) that the wholesome tongue is a tree of life. It also tells us in James 3.8 that the tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison (NIV). Our words have the ability to give life and bring death. With such a power given to us, it is no wonder that Jesus said we would give account to God for every idle word spoken (Matthew 12.36, KJV). Psalm 45.1 says that my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Whether written or spoken, my words should be used ethically.

Most everyone is familiar with the scriptural admonition against lying (Exodus 20.16, Mark 10.19, KJV). However, there is more to being ethical with our words than refraining from lies. Many people who would not tell an outright lie think nothing of sharing some “harmless” gossip. Proverbs 26:22 (KJV) tell us that he words of a talebearer are like deep wounds that go down into the spirit. I am convinced that we would be far more ethical with the things we share if we fully understood the ramifications of breaking a confidence. In fact, gossip is listed among the seven things that God hates most in Proverbs chapter six (KJV).

We should also be careful to use ethics when giving information especially in public speaking. For the minister of the gospel, this is especially important. I have seen pastors use examples that were quickly discredited with something as simple as snopes.com. When it was discovered that the “fact” was false, the entire sermon was discredited, leaving his listeners to doubt everything he said. The Pastor (or Sunday School teachers) is dealing with the eternity of the soul and should do his best to make sure that what he says from the pulpit holds up under scrutiny.

Recently, I saw a televangelist holding up a bottle that supposedly contained water from the Jordan River. For a hundred dollars he promised his listeners a bottle of this “miracle” water that would cure any disease. Micah 3.11 pronounces a curse on those who prophesy for money (KJV). Surely, this was not God’s intention when he said to pray for the sick (James 5:15, KJV).

With our words we will be justified and with our words we will be condemned, according to Matthew 12.32 (KJV). Our words have been given to us so that we may build relationships, praise God, and, most of all, proclaim the gospel. Surely, there is no area where ethics is more needed than in communication. Let’s be Christ like with our words. The world is watching us! 

Triumph in Destruction

Matthew 6:19-20 

 19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is a photo I snapped from among the rubble  in Winston County last week. When I see things like this it makes me think of the parable Jesus told about the houses on the rock and the sand. The wise man built his house on the rock and when the storms of life came his house stood still. The foolish man built his house on the sand and the storms of life blew it down. Whoever wrote this message on that door has shown us all that his/her house is built on the rock. God is good!

Praising Him Daily,

Sullivan Jones

Is God good?

I know the phrase "God is good" has become almost a cliche to some of us. We use it so much that we say it automatically. Sometimes it is almost as if we are trying to convince ourselves of his goodness. Yet we continue to say it, partly because we believe it most of the time, and partly because we are expected to say it.

But is God really good? (Don't throw stones yet, please). Is God good when everything is going wrong in my life? Is God still good when I don't understand why he lets things happen? What about when a loved dies young or a Christian is murdered? Wasn't God supposed to protect them? These are valid questions and I don't believe God minds us asking.

Several years ago a close friend was taken from me at only 19 years of age. He was in the prime of life. There were so many things we didn't understand. Why God, seemed to be the only prayer I could form. Yet God did send an answer in his time. The answer he gave me is from Isaiah chapter 57, verse 1. The scripture says:

"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."

When I read these words I remembered something. God is the giver and taker of all life. He understands things that none of us can understand. The prophet is reminding us here that God can see the future. And when the righteous are taken from us (especially when it seems too soon) we can rejoice that they are taken away from the evil that is to come. Their battles are over. They are eternally in the presence of God and need never face another heartache. 

This life is full of troubles and woes. Unfortunately, because of Adam and Eve's sin, death has entered the world and the heartache that goes along with it. But the grave is not the final resting place for a child of God. The hope of the Christian is found in I Thessalonians 4: 15-18

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The hope of the Christian is the resurrection (rapture) of the church. Though troubles may come in this world, God has not left us without a promise. He will come again and receive us unto himself. This is the only thing worth living for. The promise of His return! 

So, I ask again. Is God good? He most certainly is? 

Looking for Jesus,

Sullivan Jones