Living For & Rejoicing In Christ ebook

"Living For & Rejoicing In Christ" is a study guide through Paul's letter to the Philippians.  You can purchase a copy or copies via Starr Publications and/or Local Church Bible Publishers.

I am also glad to announce that this book is now available for download or reading via e-book format at Vook and the iTunesStore. Hopefully in a couple of days the Kindle Edition will be available and about a week later the B&N Nook Book edition should follow.

Thank you to Jeffrey Yozwiak (production coordinator) and Natasha Boysaw of Vook, Inc. for helping me out with navigating through the e-book publishing conundrum. Without their help, this book would have remained in print format only.

Even more thoughts about Twitter

Conversation

     Part of what makes the Twitter experience fun is instant communication with people. Conversation is a vital part of a two-way street Twitter experience.  Let me mention that one-way street Twitter accounts can be informative but in my case I am interested in communication or making a connection.  For that reason alone, I am not into following what I call one way Twitter accounts.  As I had mentioned in a previous post, I am glad for the “List” option, and one-way accounts of interest are listed accordingly.  Announcements and information are good, but, for me, conversation and connection is where it’s at.  The goal in Twitter is not to badger your followers with tweets (that would be like attending a party and dominating the conversation – it’s sorta rude).  Meaningful conversation or connection is the worthy goal.  An important announcements, good words of encouragement, recommended resources, or even sometimes a simple response are appreciated and enough to achieve meaningful conversation.  But if you wish to have a good Twitter experience, make sure you make connections with your followers in a meaningful way.

Tweet Feeds

      A regular interval or steady flow of highly valuable information or inspirational material is something that I think is important to my followers, and because of that, I do my best to regularly Tweet something from the Bible.  I take a Scripture principle or topic and study it out and tweet about it for the week.  I rotate between three different emphases - doctrinal, discipleship, or devotional and sometimes the distinctions are a bit blurred but ultimately, I can’t go wrong here since it is principally drawn from God’s Holy Word.  One of these days, I want to pull a number of these tweets into a yearly devotional reader for Christians but that will have to come in due time (book #3, perhaps).

     Sometimes, I tweet a photo of things that I take with my camera (usually cell phone cam, but lately, I like taking shots with my tablet [Google Nexus 7]).  So far that has been a fun experience and hopefully adds value to my followers.  You can link or share a webpage or a news article of interest.  You can share a photo or a multi-media clip.  You can suggest other Twitter pages of interest to follow or list. The point is sharing tweets of value or interest.  I really enjoy it when I get RT’s that are worth RT-ing about.  It does get irritating to find a RT that borders on stupid or low-information but it comes with the territory (thankfully, you can opt out of people’s RTs, and that is a blessing).

More later...perhaps much later.

My latest shelf via Shelfari

1.  I plan to read - two books by Dr. Robert Raymond, "Paul, Missionary Theologian" and "A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith."  And one book by Louis Berkhof "Syestematic Theology."  I have a hardback copy of Raymond's "Paul" and Berkhof's "Systematic."  I purchased Raymond's "A New Systematic" via Kindle.  ALSO, I was able to download Berkhof's classic work via pdf (for free).  I am not sure when I will get to these three books, but I will tell you that as I was skim reading them, that they are absolutely fabulous and challenging to read.  Both authors take a universal church view (which I don't hold to) and many other theological/Biblical issues that reflect a Reformed and or Protestant point of view (which I don't hold to, neither).  Having said that, they are extremely conservative and worth reading.  For example, Dr. Raymond defends the Pauline authorship of Hebrews.  My challenge is finding the time to delve into them and maintaining the consistent discipline of reading them through.

2.  I'm reading - currently two books.  First, and this will be long term (very much long term): Matthew Henry's Commentary.  Right now I am in the book of Exodus with the esteemed Henry.  BTW, what an amazing Bible commentator he is.  There are a few spots where his teaching tends towards obscurity (for example, infant sprinkling).  But again, Matthew Henry is a worthy read.  The second book is by James White (yes, the Alpha and Omega Ministries man that wrote the awful book on the King James Only Movement).  "What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qu'ran."  I certainly don't agree with Mr. White about his position on the KJB nor the KJO movement, but his book on the Qu'ran is something that I think is informative and will be useful when I get a chance to be a witness to Muslims.  So far I finished chapters One and Two, and I would like to think that Mr. White is being fair and informative (extremely informative) with regards to so many sensitive items.  I am glad for the glossary in the back and the thoroughness of his documentations in the end notes.  It is a fascinating read, and more than that it is educational.

3.  I have read - lots. Check em out.  The latest one that I finished is Vishal Mangalwadi's "The Book that Made Your World."  I also wrote a review of that book in my Book Recommendations blog (which you can visit by clicking on the proper link located on the right tab under Excursus, called "Book Recommendations").

For the most part, I like Shelfari!  It is neat to be able to organize a virtual shelf and share it with others.

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

More Twitter love and hate

I think another Twitter review is in order here.  I really do like Twitter.  I suppose, similar to blogging, there could be a variety of reasons one is on Twitter.  They say that tweeting is like micro-blogging and that seems to be a good way of putting it.

FOLLOW and LIST

So, for starters, I only "follow" accounts that I personally know, or if someone "follows" me first and I determine that they are not a robot (spambot), organization (unless I know them), and someone with quasi-beliefs (they must at least be a Christian).  Twitter is about conversation (tweets).  Therefore, if I elect to "follow" someone, and they don't "converse" with me, then I don't see the point of remaining a "follower."  But that is just me.  It ties in very closely as to why I am on Twitter, which is to stay connected with people that I care about.  If I do want to "follow" someone who has no interest in returning the favor then I may choose to utilize the "list" section and just watch their updates (twitter feeds) that way.  The list option is great!  I really like it and I use it a lot. By the way you can also subscribe to my list and others by selecting "subscribe."  ALSO, strange but true, you can also see if you, yourself, have been added to someone's listing.  Whatever may be, follow wisely, and list wisely!

HASHTAG and HOOTSUITE

I like the idea of "hashtaging" a tweet (# followed by a topic or thought - which then pools all the tweets into an undisclosed area, kidding, into a space where everyone who is interested in that topic can see others with similar interest).  For me, I just like to group my morning Bible tweets and take a look at them at the end of the week.  My morning Bible verse tweets are divided into three themes, doctrine, devotional, & discipleship (I like to think of it as Bible Tweets 3D).  Sometimes, admittedly, they do seem to over lap, but generally speaking, I try to keep them rolling like that.  I use a social media management tool called Hootsuite to set up my AM Bible Tweets ahead of time which automatically tweets for me.  I think that my AM Bible tweets have been a blessing.  I gauge that by the various feedback that I have gotten from my "followers."  Twitter is about "adding value" to those who follow you.  This is one way, I think, I can accomplish that.

RETWEETS and NO RETWEETS

Okay, I like it when I get "retweeted" - It makes me feel good.  But I don't tweet with that as a goal.  I do like to "retweet" items which I think would be a blessing to my followers.  But there comes a point when "retweeting" becomes obnoxious.  I don't care to "retweet" men and movements that are on the opposite spectrum of my belief system (even if they have some brilliant ray of truth that can inspire and motivate - this makes me even sadder, bec.  they should have an even more brilliant light, the Bible, which should have guided them into perfect truth or better truth - this is my way of saying, they should know better to do what they are doing).  But then again, that is just me.  I don't care what others, that I "follow" retweet about, but after a while they can get to be a nuisance, therefore and thankfully, you can always go to their profile section and select "turn off retweets."  What a blessing!  Don't be an abuser, retweet in moderation.  Then there are other things like modified tweets (MT) which is neat, but I still really don't know how to properly do it.  Then there is also the "old school" retweeting process (RT) which, I like bec. of added interaction, but it is so much easier to just hit the retweet button.

 I can say more, but I will have to leave it be for now.  Please don't forget that you can "follow" me on Twitter @hardecker.  Thank you and have a wonderful day!

The calm before a fatal blow - personal insights into my new book

Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.  (Sir Winston Churchill)

SURPRISE!

Well my latest monster is almost ready to be slain and then flung to the public.  I have been working on a new book and I am really excited about it.  It's called "Living For and Rejoicing In Christ."  It is a study guide through Paul's letter to the Philippians.  I started out with the idea of writing a short commentary on Philippians and as I was laboring in it a couple of thoughts came to mind.  First, another commentary.  There are plenty of good commentaries already available.  They all stem from a devotional, pastoral, and even critical vantage point.  A few honor the KJB (and a perfect preservation of the Bible viewpoint) while many others (unfortunately) don't, but their technical, historical and practical insights are extremely helpful.  Second, I wanted to write something that could be a blessing to the average person vs. a seminarian or Bible College student.  So audience factor kicked in about half way through the project and a rework was in order.  When I got to where it needed to be the writing process was a bit more enjoyable.  I believe this will be a blessing to those who desire to dig into the word of God either for themselves or for others (as in classroom instruction).

SCHEMATICS

So the study guide is designed to take the reader directly through the book of Philippians in sections or units of study.  The most important aspect is bringing the reader to the Biblical text itself.  Each chapter is divided according to units of thought.  Then, each phrase or line of the Biblical text is succinctly exposited or explained either textually, topically or expositionally.  The chapter endings features a helpful tool for instructors (Sunday school teacher) or speakers (Pastor) which summarizes the unit and provides a helpful outline.  Finally, the last section features a "questions to ponder" type of a set up which is designed to stimulate practical and application thoughts and/or further group discussions from an inductive approach. 

SITUATION

Where it stands right now.  The book is in the final proof reading process.  After the final proof, a reformatting of the manuscript.  Then, the final of the book cover (which is almost done, too).  Then off to the press.  Then finally, flinging it out into the public.  So in terms of percentages, I could say that the book is about 90% done - the monster is being slain, albeit slowly but surely.  I suppose if I stop blogging and tweeting then I could use the time to move the project forward, but this is my way of calming down before fatally stabbing the monster for the last time (at least for this first edition).

 

Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

I love Thanksgiving Day.  I love that family and friends can get together.  I love the food that adds delight to the occasion.  I love the attitude of thankfulness.  I love how we stop and are reminded of what is truly important and valuable in life.  I love giving God the glory for His loving kindness and tender mercies.
  
President George Washington called on the nation to give thanks to God for His Providential blessings. He was careful to deflect praise for himself and was preparing the Republic to function without him and to look to Almighty God who is our great Lord and Ruler of Nations. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

      Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
      Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
      and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington

Post election perspective

You are probably thinking “oh well, here goes another blog article about the election” and of course, you are right to think that, but to dismiss this as yet another, I’ll let you judge whether or not you will read anything like this in blogdom.  I say that because not very many in blogdom come from my perspective which is essentially Christian-Baptist-American-Conservative and in that particular order with that particular point of view.  So if you are already “dismissive” then fine, I hope you have a good day, see you later. I am going to succinctly share my thoughts about what happened and what I plan on doing to conserve and promote the founding principles and fundamental liberties of the American social order and civility.

What happened?

1. Our eyes were partially fixed on the polls when the culture around us was screaming.  The culture (way of living) is a far more superior indicator (and still is) of where we as a nation are heading.  Our music, movies, web, television programs are filled with violence, perverseness, and varying degrees of ungodliness.  Our news and press (journalism) no longer “press” for information, asks tough questions, and has become a partner to campaigns (that would be on either political sides).

2. We thought the economic issue would trump the moral issues.  Make no mistake about it; economics (like most everything else) is itself a moral issue.  This election revealed our nation’s morals.  And while it is somewhat consoling to find a relatively healthy split among voters what is concerning is that the vast majority are on the wrong side of morality.  The various voter referendums demonstrate this.  I hope that these voter referendums get challenged with the same vigor that met previous referendums when the shoe was on the other foot.  It is insidious that so many issues were swept in the ballots and that it made its way into this particularly historic election.  It is also pathetic that so many virtuous people didn’t win the Senate.

3. Conservatives are getting upset with the GOP (and still is) for compromising founding principles.  When you lose liberty it is difficult to get it back.  I voted for (and was okay with it) the GOP ticket because it was the only proper alternative.  The GOP selected candidate and party is just not tough enough.

4. We lost, again.  The ramifications are so overwhelming but let me put it lucidly: America has chosen to be more socialist.

What can I do? 

1. Spread the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Always, always, always remember – the gateway to conservatism is Christianity.  Men must hear the Biblical truths that we are fundamentally spiritually fallen creatures.  The greatest need cannot possibly be solved, met, or provided for by man.  This is a matter of redemption and faith more so than popularity and comfort.  The Gospel message shows man who he really is, and points him to his Redeemer.

2. Promote religious freedom and separation of church and state (not God and country).  Part of the reason I am a Baptist is because historically it is the only movement that championed religious freedom.  Our founding documents were shaped by principles of Christianity and the Baptist faith.  If you take a look back (history) then you’ll know where you are (present) and where you want to be (future).

3. Be thankful.  Rejoice in the Lord, and be thankful that we have the liberties we still have.  We may have a starkly different America, but we still have America.  It isn’t “Amerika” yet.  Be thankful we are still free to worship God and evangelize.  Don’t think for one moment that the “new” and more socialized America will remain stagnant.  We need eternal vigilance.

4. Continue to educate yourself with the principles of liberty that you have been given.  The more you know about the founding principles the more confidence you will have to refute socialism.  It is only when you educate yourself that you can properly educate others.   Mark and avoid pseudo-conservatives.  How can you identify them?  Easy, just ask does popularity or money change their views?  If yes, they have no courage and deserve no hearing.

5. Pray, read the Bible, and work for Him.  He will never disappoint you.  Get more involved in church.  Listen closer to the preaching of God’s word.  Obey your Pastor (if he is Biblically qualified).  Win as much as you can to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Stop patronizing compromising Christians and fake conservatives.

6. Leave, leave, leave the results to God.  Give Him the glory and don’t steal it for your own.

7. Remember the battle and the solution is fundamentally spiritual.

Now, let’s get busy doing that which is Biblically right!

Talk, talk, talk the Bible way (part 2)

Review – In the last post (which you can read below) we looked at the person of God as the basis of good speech and its effects on relationships.  And now we move on to two main and final points for the completion of this series.

Communication Frustrations

Because communication is a two-way street, here are some red flags to notice in the area of words and speech.  Bad communication can cause problems and frustration in relationships, here are some Biblical considerations:

First, Answering, or responding, or making a judgment call, or a decision (tautological, I know) is shameful communication.  The Bible says: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Pro. 18:13).  Here are some Biblical considerations that could help refute this terrible habit.

a.       Ps. 39:1 -  I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

b.      Pro. 13:3 -  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

c.       Pro. 21:23 - Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

d.      James 1:19 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

e.      1 Peter 3:10 -  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Second is being hasty with words.  Have you ever had a conversation with somebody and you haven’t finished your thoughts, and you were interrupted?  Usually, I am the one interrupting, ha!  I get this way.  I speak by experience.  It can be disrespectful at times and therefore not good.  Sometimes, this attitude demonstrates a lack of valuing the other person’s words or ideas.  Sometimes, it’s dismissive.  At any rate, the Bible has something to say about this.  At times, we should tell ourselves to temper our words.

a.       Ecc. 5:2 - Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

b.      Pro. 10:19 - In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

c.       Pro. 17:27 - He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Third, cutting words.  Someone said: “sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but names (or words) will never harm me.”  I don’t know if the person who said that ever existed.  Our words can be mediums of destruction, and so we must take great care of not only what we say but how we say it.

a.       Ps. 50:19 - Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

b.      Ps. 52:2 - Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

c.       Ps. 52:4 - Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

d.      Ps. 57:4 - My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

e.      Ps. 64:3 - Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words.

We all need to practice James 1:19 in the area of words and speech.  Sometimes it is wise and best to "suspend judgment" (as Mortimer Adler teaches in his epic book How to Read a Book).  A critic always solicits an immediate response.  Don’t act like a critic by being hasty with words.  Our goal in communication is to further relationships, not necessarily “winning” an argument-scrimmage.  And what about giving someone that undivided attention?  You're not texting, "Tweeting", checking your phone, refreshing a browser, turning a page, managing one more item, but totally tuned into the other person, with eye contact giving them your undivided attention.  The thing about speaking is the other half of listening.  When we talk too much it is obvious we listen very little.  But listening is for an entirely different blog post.

Communication Fundamentals

A.      Our words reflect what is in our hearts, it’s like a window to the heart.  Matt. 12:34 - O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

B.      Our words will one day be judged by God – Ps. 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  Matt. 12:36 -  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  If we must give account to every idle word, how much more shall we be held accountable for words that we speak on purpose?

C.      It is more important to focus on how we say things than what we actually say.  Pro. 15:1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  1 Pet. 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.  Always ask yourself: "is there a better way of saying it?"

D.      Our words can greatly influence our entire being and others around us.  Prov. 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  James 3:1 ¶ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  [2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.  [3] Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. [4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

I trust that if anything else that you and I would be drawn to the study of God’s word re: words, speech, mouth, tongue, etc.  And more than just looking at these verses actually put them into practice.  That would make for good communication.

Talk, talk, talk the Bible way (part 1)

The Bible has much to say about words.  This study is a relatively short consideration of what it says about our speech.  It isn’t exhaustive, per se, but rather comprehensive.

Communication is the Foundation for Relationships

First, I always look to God as the example of what our words should be like, what our speech ought to be like.  I think a theological understanding is foundational.  We know what godly speech is when we know what God is like.  And so, I like to start with a look at God Himself.

For starters, we know from the Scriptures that God is a “speaking” God.  He spoke and it was done.  He spoke creation into existence.  Gen. 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”  The foundation of Creation is God speaking.  The foundation of every relationship begins with our speech as well.  I do not believe in the false doctrine promoted by the Charismatics called “word-faith” teaching.  I am not under the illusion that I can confess something and what I confess I will soon possess.  This is a gross misunderstanding of passages such as Mk. 11:22-23.  But when you see that everything in Creation began when God spoke it into existence, it isn’t difficult to see that the foundation of meaningful relationships must essentially start with words or speech.  It is interesting that the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s eternally begotten Son, at the outset of Creation in John 1:1-3 is called the “Word.”  Again, we can reiterate that words or speech is rudimentary to relationships.

Another observation about God is that He is a personal God.  He communicates with His creation.  He is a God of relationships.  He relates to us or He desires to have fellowship with us.  Some think that many of the founders or forefathers of America were deists.  That they held to a view of God that was detached from His creation.  It would seem that God wound up the clock of existence at the start of creation, and then steps aside to simply watch what would happen.  God is totally detached from His creation.  But our many of our founders reveal a better more Biblical sense of understanding of God by referring to Him or His work as “Providence.”  He is not a god who is detached or disinterested in our lives, rather, He is a wise and caring God who works in the background allowing for things to happen in order to demonstrate a sovereign plan.  How do we know that God is a personal God?  Take for example the phrase “the word of the LORD came unto” – If you look this phrase up in the Bible you would see that the word of the Lord came to individuals like Abram, Nathan, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jonah and many others.  This demonstrates that God desires a relationship with people, because He speaks to people.  God doesn’t speak directly and in the same manner to us in this particular dispensation, but we have a more sure word in the Holy Bible.  God’s perfectly preserved book is His method of speaking to us today as Christians.  God still desires a relationship with us and in a more limited sense, He certainly speaks to us.  In fact, if we are interested in a meaningful relationship with God, we must earnestly take heed to His word!    

Relationships are built on words or speech.  The surest way to ruin relationships is by not speaking to someone, or ignoring them or speaking rude or unkind words to them.  But, relationships are established by words, nonetheless.

 

God is our example.  Categorically speaking God’s characteristics (or attributes) can be divided into two major sections.  Primarily or essentially the attributes that belong strictly to God is called incommunicable attributes.  They are characteristics that are only true about God.  No matter how excellent our glorified bodies will be, we will never attain to the standards of God’s incommunicable attributes.  He doesn’t share these with anybody.  Indeed, this is what makes Him God and God alone.  This would be His eternality, transcendence, immutability, omnipotence, omnipresence, immensity, and omniscience.  No other creature could claim any of these attributes.   

But the secondary characteristics interestingly enough are called “communicable” attributes.  These are the qualities that are true about God that we as His creation have to a smaller degree the capacity to learn and possess by His grace.  That would be love, holiness, mercy, justice, truthfulness, long suffering, patience, compassion, goodness, graciousness, and the list can go on and on.  It is in this secondary division that we can observe God as our example of what godly speech is like.  We can say that godly words or speaking is speaking words which are loving, holy, true, just, right, gracious and so on and so forth.  Knowing God well is reflected in our speech.  The lack of spiritual knowledge of God can also be seen by what and how we say things.  We are to emulate Him. Do you words reflect the God of the Bible?  When people hear you speak, do they hear Christian speech or does your speech betray you?  If you were judged by the words you use, can the listener gather that you are a follower of Christ?