The Power Of Words
by Van Robison
Words spoken shape our thinking. The
words Jesus Christ spoke so impacted the world, that
hundreds of millions of human beings have believed in
Christ. Countless lives have been changed for the
better because of the words of Jesus Christ. Odd, that
at the same time, many take offense at Jesus Christ,
even though everything He taught was only right and
good. The real reason religious leaders of the time of
Christ took offense with Him is because His words took
away their false authority, false power, their
prestige, their self importance, their pride, their
vanity, their false teachings, their fake status and
their looting. Jesus stripped fake religion to the
bare bones, proving that what one sees in religious
leaders is not necessarily a Godsend.
Without question, words spoken into the ears of human beings form beliefs and cause all people to believe in whatever it is they decide is to be believed. You might say that Roman Catholics speak Roman Catholics beliefs, and by their words cause many to believe they have true religion. And so it goes with all church groups. Baptists speak "baptist" words, which shape the thinking of millions. Pentecostals also speak words that convey their thought processes, and by their words many are caught up in their beliefs. Mormons have vacuumed up a multitude with their words of Mormonism, as have the Jehovah Witnesses, Scientology, and innumerable other groups. Even "The Family" ("Children of God") have been swept up in the words of David Berg (also known as "Moses David").
It is indeed a mystery why it is that different people are convicted by the words of public speakers, and then become disciples of those speakers. It is also true in the world of politics, and for whatever reason, politicians garner a following by their words. Following the words of Jesus Christ can only result in good fruit. Many proclaim they believe in Jesus, but by their fruit they don't actually adhere to the words of Christ. It seems strange that millions will proclaim that "I am a Catholic", "I am a Mormon", "I am a Baptist", "I am a Methodist", "I am a Calvinist", "I am a Pentecostal", etc., while at the same time proclaim they follow Jesus Christ. Jesus nowhere spoke words to convey that anyone who follows Him is a "You name your religious brand." Jesus never even taught that the "pastor" of any of His followers is anyone other than Christ Himself, and yet millions say these words, "My pastor is so and so."
Strangely, we all believe our own words. Our own words make us think we know what truth is. Many think words that reflect patriotism are words we should all believe. Many think that whatever nation they live in, words that reflect the political government are the words that should be followed, even if those words engage their nation in mass murder (called "war"). As Christians, to read, believe and follow the words of Jesus Christ, will set anyone at odds with the establishment and status quo. Jesus Christ and His words reflect "radical" beliefs to those who don't take up their cross and follow Jesus.
Unfortunately, millions of people sit in church pews, soaking up like sponges whatever is spoken from the lips and elevated platforms of public speakers. Very often, the words spoken do not really reflect what Jesus taught, but reflect twisted reasoning, twisted scriptures and even ulterior motives for political (yes, even in churches) and financial reasons. One well known television, megachurch pastor even proclaims that Jesus Christ did not come to earth to be the Messiah (his initials are J.H. and you can find it on "YouTube" on the Internet, where he speaks in person proclaiming utterly false teachings about Jesus Christ, while at the same time teaching in the name of Jesus). From information on the Internet this man also is paid $1-million plus per year (personal income) as "the pastor" of his private church.
Following men, whether in the secular world of politics or the religious world, where very fallible human beings speak many words in an effort to gather a personal following, is a sure guarantee of going off the deep end. For those who really believe in Jesus Christ, here is the reason that following anyone except Jesus is faulty reasoning, from the personal words of Jesus Christ Himself:
Jesus Christ spoke these words:
- I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life (therefore public speaker, whoever you are, you are not).
- I AM the Living Water.
- I AM the Bread of Life.
- I AM the Manna from Heaven.
- I AM the Light of the World.
- I AM the Vine.
- I AM the Door.
- I AM the Resurrection.
- I AM Meek and Lowly in Heart (Matthew 11:29).
- I AM among you as He that Serves (Luke 22:27).
- I AM the Good Shepherd.
- I AM in the Father.
- One is your Master---even Christ (Matthew 23:10).
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God." The reason for mass confusion, and massive divisions in the world of churches is because people generally follow the words of men, rather than THE WORD (JESUS CHRIST).
Mark 8:34 "...Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and FOLLOW ME. (35) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My Sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. (36) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (38) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of MY WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
