December 6                                     1 Tim 1 - 3

PRACTICAL HOLINESS

MEMORSE: ‘In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.’ (Prov. 10:19)
READ: Ecclesiates 3: 1- 4

When you look at the life of a sanctified person, you will observe certain things. One, he is time-conscious. A Christian who has no regard for time is not sanctified. Such a Christian has little integrity, and cannot easily be trusted. Truly sanctified people realize that there is a time for everything. They are also organized, because their heavenly husband is a God of order. “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any’ (1 Cor 6:12).

Although you may be permitted to do all kinds of things, it does not mean that you should do them. You may be able to afford a certain level of luxury, but you must ensure that such luxuries do not lure you into spiritual complacency. For instance, you may have money to build and tastefully furnish a mansion worth tens of millions. But if you know that such comfort will keep you from remembering your dependence on God, it will be better to build a more modest house that will keep you focused on eternal valves. Also, you should have your basic priorities straight. For instance, when you wake up in the morning, your first desire should be to praise God and not to drink a cup of tea.

Another attribute of sanctified people is quietness. They aren’t too talkative. A Christian who talks non-stop may be born again, but not totally sanctified. If you talk too much, you may need deliverance. James 1:9 says we should be fast to hear, but slow to speak. Somebody said God gave us one mouth and two ears, so that we must listen twice as much as we speak. If you do it the other way around, you are walking on dangerous ground.

One reason for not saying too much, is not to irritate our heavenly husband. Proverbs 10:19 says, ‘In the multitude of words, there wanteth not sin.’ Think of your mouth as an instrument to sing God’s praises. You are only allowed to talk as much as you want when you are praising God. If you trust him, you will make a request only once and use the rest of the time to praise Him. Is this true of your life?

ACTION POINT
Make a conscious decision to think before you talk
Keep your words few.