CLOSINGSTAGES: PART TWO FACT CHECKING JACOB PRASCH - "THUS SAITH THE LORD", ON TBN

“Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst.” C.S. Lewis

In part one we showed Jacob scheduled to speak at a church that has TBN connections; and a video of Jacob’s teaching against affiliating with anyone that links to TBN. This clearly shows that Jacob teaches one thing and does another. In Jacob’s video on TBN Christian television; he says we should not appear on, or affiliate with those that do.

Jacob uses a “thus saith the Lord” to reinforce how God forbids us to associate with TBN and that it is equal to embracing and approving the error and false teachings of TBN. We then discovered that Jacob himself was doing the same thing he preaches against. He is speaking at a Church that associates with TBN, hyper-charismatic and is very much about the Hebrew roots; which is yet another topic Jacob preaches against. Jacob and Moriel decided to “clarify” that this church has removed any mention of TBN off of their website and also stated that the congregation and the rabbi were very much in line with Jacob and Moriel’s beliefs and doctrines. Hence part two, let’s take a closer look at who Jacob and Moriel embraces and are aligning themselves with.

Jacob Prasch teaches against a lot of ministers, ministries, prophets, teachers etc.. Some of what he teaches is true, mostly concerning the hyper charismatic, Word of Faith preachers, TBN etc. However; some of what he teaches is just as false and full of error; as those he teaches against.

Remember Jacob Prasch himself, says that even false teachers will at times speak the truth, they lay truth alongside of error, that’s part of the deception, he knows this well.

Jacob is scheduled to speak at Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation in Mansfield Ohio in March of this year.

There is a lot of information given here and in the video, we just want to encourage everyone to really take the time to listen and look at it all, it really is critical not to be deceived. The most current bit of information that has come to light is that Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation is hosting an event scheduled for February 23, 2019. They are having Rabbi Kirt Schneider speak. He has his own show “Discovering the Jewish Jesus” https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/

Additionally Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation fb page_ event also listed all Rabbi Schneider’s media affiliations which is an entire brood of heretical Christian TV stations including of course TBN.









It’s obscene to watch how Jacob excuses and absolves Sar Shalom church and Rabbi Hallbrook by their removal of the mention of TBN on their website and yet the entire group is a den of hyper charismania, hebrew roots and more. All the while Jacob and Moriel justifies and attempts to nullify the connection. And yet it is certain that, Jacob with his self deluded, hypocritical self righteousness, will be roasting someone else over the open flames of hell with his “righteous” wrath, over some perceived spiritual infraction that he deems to heretical.

Jacob teaches against the Hebrew root’s movement and women preachers. Below are just a few links of Jacob addressing the subjects of women in ministry and Hebrew Roots. The last video link is a snippet of what Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation church believes and teaches on Hebrew Roots and yet Jacob and Moriel say that both the Rabbi and the Congregation are in agreement on doctrinal issues.

That well may be because both are preaching, and teaching error and it seems they’ve gotten to the point where they aren’t even able to discern their own deception. The topic of TBN is also included in the part two video of this article. (NOTE: the part two video also includes Sar Shalom church and Rabbi Hallbrook’s embrace and support of women in ministry, another one of Jacob’s topic he teaches against.)

There is a plethora of information on Prasch’s teachings against Hebrew Roots, hyper charismatic, TBN and women in ministry. When one compares his teachings to those of Sar Shalom’s church and their Rabbi it’s crystal clear that all three of Prasch’s teachings are diametrically opposed to Sar Shalom Messianic church and their Rabbi and leadership teachings, doctrines and affiliations. This is a warning to all about Prasch and Moriel.

2Ti 3:13 But wicked men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.1Co 15:33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character. 

1Co 15:34 Awake [from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God’s presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame.

https://youtu.be/qHAiwIE5EVI

“Jacob Prasch why Every Christian Woman Needs A Mordecai”

8:50- 9:52 mark "when my daughter married her husband, a nice Jewish boy, who she met in church….I said to them…..I said to him in front of her before I left, I have given you, before the Lord spiritual charge of my daughter. I am no longer her primary covering in the Lord. I will no longer give account, primarily, from what she does from now on; for her spiritual guardianship and protection. Now that is in your hands as a believer and a husband, the responsibility it something that God has taken from my hands and now put into yours. The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church and I said it to him in front of her, just before I left where the wedding was. That’s how I did it, other people may do it differently. …”

Other people may do it differently? That’s an understatement…. It’s clear in this clip Jacob is literally saying that all believing males/fathers of daughters should fall under his teaching, which is certainly not scriptural but falls under old testament and or man-made laws. Daughter’s are something to be handed off to another male and now her husband is responsible for what she does and doesn’t do spiritually. Notice in this video he makes no allowances for the Gentile culture but places everyone under his own legalistic bent on Jewish culture. Isn’t this living under two covenants, Jacob? This is what he teaches concerning the Hebrew Roots movement, they’re not to force non-Jews to conform to Jewish culture or traditions etc. This quote from Prasch’s video certainly shows how he vacillates between his own doctrines and beliefs, it shows his error and his hypocrisy.

https://youtu.be/5e5fu5xXMSU titled “Christians and the Old Testament Law” by Jacob Prasch

https://youtu.be/XWslBJrfpnE “Days of Deception-The Messianic Movement” Jacob teaching in this video Jacob rolls the hyper charismatics and the Hebrew root’s movement together.

https://youtu.be/tStya5CQ128 “Witchcraft – Hyper Messianic Legalism” – Jacob Prasch

https://youtu.be/wFh9SYuy4PM Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation bible study lead and taught by Steve McElhatten “Clarifying Paidagogos-Is the law a guardian?”

Pictures worth a thousand words! One of Jacob’s excuses is that Hallbrook clearly agrees with Jacob and Moriel on TBN and its false teachers/teachings and Sar Shalom Church and Hallbrook have removed any mention of TBN off their website, yet they still sing the praises of TBN and the men that appear on TBN and they allow them in their pulpit.

If you’re a follower of Jacob Prasch, Moriel and affiliates, we would advise you to run, find and vet someone else to listen to that doesn’t speak out of both sides of their mouth, someone who doesn’t manipulate the scriptures or circumstances to their advantage which leads to deceiving others.







https://closingstages.net/2019/02/22/part-two-fact-checking-jacob-prasch-thus-saith-the-lord-on-tbn/

THE MARK OF THE BEAST - THE TWO WITNESSES

This post investigates the timing of the mark of the beast in terms of a futurist, premillennial, pre-wrath rapture perspective.

And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Revelation 11:3-4).

The primary texts concerning the two witnesses are Revelation 11 and Zechariah 4. Their description as fire-breathing olive trees and lampstands suggests two awesome individuals endowed by God with superhuman power:

And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:5-6 cf. Exodus 7:17; 1 Kings 17:11; Luke 4:25).

The two witnesses are described as both prophets and witnesses. The definition of "prophet" is: "A person regarded as an interpreter or spokesperson for God; one through whom God speaks." In the New Testament: "..especially future events, and in p*articular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation."{1} Jesus says to his disciples: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Both Elijah and John the Baptist wore sackcloth.. Biblically sackcloth is a sign of woe or mourning and it is also a sign of repentance. (Matthew 3:4; 11:21) The two witnesses will therefore proclaim the gospel from Jerusalem for a period of 3.5 years, or 1,260 days. Although local to Jerusalem, their ministry will be worldwide, due, in all probability, to the internet and/or other technological advances. (Revelation 11:9-10).

The identity of the two witnesses is something of a mystery. Zechariah was intrigued by this question, and he enquired of the angel: "What are these", three times without receiving a clear answer. (Zechariah 4:4, 11,12). The strange explanation: "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”(Zechariah 4:14). Some speculate that the two witnesses are Elijah and some other OT prophet, and others speculate that they are cherubim or other angelic beings. Since their identity is obscure in the scriptures, I will not attempt to identify them. 

The time frame of the ministry of the two witnesses is a key factor. The Book of Revelation gives us precise information regarding both the time of their death and the period they will minister. They die and are resurrected before the seventh trumpet is blown, towards the end of the second woe. (Revelation 11:3, 7-15). This places them decisively in the second half of the 70th week, during the great tribulation and during the first six trumpet judgements. With such detailed information, it is very difficult to come to a different conclusion, although inexplicably, some teachers do give alternative time frames for their ministry.

Notably, the ministry of the two witnesses coincides with the great signs done by the false prophet, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people. (Revelation 13:13-14). I don't rule out the possibility of other agents of Satan also performing signs during this period: For false christs and false prophets (plural) will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24). The battle between God and Satan is graphically played out on the earth during the 1260 days, with agents from both opposing parties performing great signs. The signs performed by the false prophet are greatly welcomed by those who have come under the influence of the strong delusion. (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Conversely, the two witnesses will be universally hated. Their message will be abhorrent and the signs they perform will torment the earth dwellers. Ultimately they will be killed by the beast that rises from the bottomless pit. (Revelation 11:7). From the perspective of the true church, the two witnesses will undoubtedly provide much needed encouragement and motivation to stand firm during great tribulation when there will be unprecedented persecution and martyrdom. (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). After the tribulation is cut short, the two witnesses will continue to testify up until the end of the second woe. (Revelation 11:14).

Following the resurrection of the two witnesses, seven thousand people will be killed in the great earthquake of Revelation 11:13, ..and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. This phrase implies conversion. (Joshua 7:19; Revelation 14:7; 16:9). If this interpretation is correct, then the remainder of the people in the city of Jerusalem who give glory to God, are the very last people on earth to be saved immediately before the third woe begins. (Revelation 11:13).

There will also be proclamations/warnings from three angels, beginning with the declaration of the "everlasting gospel" (Matthew 24:14). This will be followed by warnings of impending judgements and will conclude with a strong warning not to worship the beast and its image or to take the mark. (Revelation 14:6-11). Since the judgements to come are imminent, it seems logical that the mark is also imminent, particularly as the warnings are preceded by the declaration of the "everlasting gospel". No Christian witness remains on the earth after the two witnesses are resurrected and after the proclamations of the three angels are delivered. It is difficult to place a precise time frame on the three angels, but I now begin to think that their proclamations may occur after the tribulation, possibly after the two witnesses are killed at the end of the second woe. (Revelation 11:14).

The pre-wrath view places the rapture between the sixth and seventh seal of Revelation. Following the rapture, the seventh seal reveals seven angels and seven trumpet judgements. (Revelation 8 to 11). The first four angels/trumpets wreak devastation upon the earth and the sea rather than directly upon people. (Revelation 8:6-13).

The fifth trumpet is the first of three woes and concerns the release of the locust/scorpion/demonic entities that will torment unbelievers for five months. Interestingly, there is no mention of the mark of the beast in this passage. The torment inflicted by these entities will only apply to those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads:

1And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. 4They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. 6And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. (Revelation 9:4-6).

The sixth trumpet judgement involves the four angels bound at the Euphrates river who are released in order to kill one third of mankind. (Revelation 9:13-19). Here again we find no reference to the mark of the beast. Unbelieving humanity refuse to repent even at this late stage, though it appears that the option to do so is available:

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshipping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21).

Revelation 13 is a parenthetical chapter outlining the two beasts activities during the 42 months. (Revelation 13:5). The mark of the beast occupies final two verses of this chapter. (Revelation 13:16-18). According to the pre-wrath view, the tribulation is cut short by the rapture for the sake of the elect. (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20). However, the activities of the beast and the false prophet continue for the remainder of the 1260/1290 days beyond the rapture. Despite the devastation that has occurred on the earth, the two beasts and their followers continue in their rebellion until the appearance of Jesus Christ:

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. (Revelation 19:19).

The false prophet applies intense pressure in order to coerce people into worshipping the beast and its image and to take the mark. Once the mark is taken, repentance becomes an impossibility and the final fate of unbelievers is sealed. (Revelation 13:16-17;14:9). Theoretically, it appears that people are free to repent right up until the seventh trumpet is sounded and the third woe begins, although the scriptures indicate that they will not repent. (2 Thessalonians 2:11). If these people had already taken the mark of the beast, then the ministry of the two witnesses and the proclamations of the three angels would be superfluous since we are told that the mark is irrevocable. (Revelation 14:9-10). This indicates that the mark is not fully enforced until after the resurrection of the two witnesses and the proclamations of the three angels. The shift occurs when the seventh trumpet is sounded and the first bowl of wrath is released. The first bowl of God's wrath, administered by an angel, is the first reference in the scriptures to anyone actually having received the mark:

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. (Revelation 16:2). 

Many teachers falsely identify the 14400 sealed from every tribe of Israel as evangelists. (Revelation 7:1-8). I will address this question in a further post.

Undoubtedly we are moving towards a cashless society and mark of the beast technology. This indicates that we are not too far off from the great tribulation and the return of Jesus Christ in my view. As such, it is important for believers to search the scriptures for their source of information rather than accepting other views, particularly those associated with the popular pre-trib "Left Behind" perspective which is erroneous in so many respects. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prewrath

1. https://biblehub.com/greek/4396.htm

A WARNING: BEN FITZGERALD 10TH MARCH CHROMA CHURCH LEICESTER

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30).

Chroma Church in Leicester was formerly Leicester City Vineyard Church, an affiliate of the Vineyard movement led by apostate John Wimber from the early 1980s. Chroma Church left the Vineyard Movement in 2017 after a period of ten years. Whatever the reasons for their departure from Vineyard, sadly it was not due to doctrinal issues. Chroma Church state unequivocally that their mission remains the same. {1}

Chroma Church are deeply influenced by the present apostasy that has swept over the major Christian denominations. On the 10th of March, Chroma Church will be hosting Ben Fitzgerald at their "Finding God Event". {2}  Ben Fitzgerald was formerly a pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California. He is currently the leader of Awakening Europe and GODfest Ministries.

The main issue affecting many charismatic and Pentecostal churches is the de-emphasis of scripture in favour of the false claims of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). 

The NAR can be briefly summed up as follows:

Ecumenism is the ultimate betrayal of Jesus Christ involving the de-emphasis of doctrine for the sake of bringing all Christian denominations together under one tent. In particular the NAR aligns itself with the false system of Roman Catholicism.

Dominionism is the false assertion that God is restoring the so called "lost offices of church governance", namely the offices of Prophet and Apostle. NAR leaders de-emphasise doctrine and usurp the authority of the scriptures via claims of new revelations and greater authority than Jesus' original apostles. (Revelation 2:2). Dominion theology/Kingdom Now/Third Wave is the false assertion that focuses on believers taking literal dominion of the earth. (John 18:36). Bethel Church attempts to achieve this by their infamous Seven Mountain Mandate.

The NAR is known for its overemphasis on signs and wonders at the expense of scriptural authority. (Matthew 16:4).

Below is some information about Ben Fitzgerald from the Bethel website:

"Originally from Australia, Ben Fitzgerald was on staff at Bethel in Redding for several years when in 2014, Jesus showed him a vision at a field to take back Europe. After many confirmations, Bethel sent Ben to Germany where he and his team now live and host city wide events across the continent called Awakening Europe. These events, funded primarily by giving, serve three primary functions: to equip believers to share Jesus with no fear, to unify the church for God’s plan for their nation, and to win many new people to God through mass outreaches." {3}

Ben Fitzgerald fully supports his parents, Jen and Ken Hodges, who lead the pseudo Christian ministry Christalighnment. This supposed ministry promotes "..accurate, personal destiny reading bookings, dream interpretation, spiritual cleansing, relationship counselling or healing..", via their Destiny Reading Cards, or more accurately, Christian tarot cards, as their critics contend. {4} Christalignment is anything but biblical and is based on New Age occultism.

"Christalignment thinks it's a good idea to take and then post photos of the naked people who visit their booth for 'Destiny Card' readings" {5} 

Ben Fitzgerald promotes the bizarre practice of "Grave Sucking " aka "Grave Soaking", which in reality is necromancy. (Isaiah 8:19). Bill and Beni Johnson of Bethel Church Redding appear to have initiated this wicked practice a few years ago. The many detestable practices at Bethel go from the sublime to the ridiculous and are too numerous to mention here. Bethel claim that the “glory cloud” of God’s shekinah presence often manifests in their worship services and that the appearance angel feathers is also a regular occurrence. Bethel's obsession with false signs and wonders at the expense of the scriptures is truly astounding!

Below is a short video of Ben Fitzgerald promoting the practice of grave sucking:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4B2M_1x8BM&feature=youtu.be

1. https://www.chroma.church/ourstory 

2. https://www.chroma.church/events
3. https://www.bethel.com/missionaries/ben-fitzgerald/

4. https://www.christalignment.org/
5. http://www.piratechristian.com/museum-of-idolatry/2018/1/topless-dancing-at-christalignment-workshop-does-kris-vallotton-approve

Further information about this subject can be found at churchwatchcentral.com
https://churchwatchcentral.com/2018/05/24/gravesucking-ben-fitzgerald-promoting-awakening-australia-will-he-rally-more-narpostles/

JACOB PRASCH HAS RAISED THE BAR TO AN ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT LEVEL!!!

Evil Speaking

Arthur Pink, 1935

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin" (Proverbs 13:3). "A guard upon the lips is a guard to the soul—he who is careful, who thinks twice before he speaks once, that, if he has thought evil, lays his hand upon his mouth to suppress it; he who keeps a strong bridle on his tongue, and a strict hand on the bridle—he keeps his soul from a great deal of guilt and grief, and saves himself the trouble of many bitter reflections on himself, and others upon him" (Matthew Henry). Alas, how many are now saying—by their very attitude and actions "our lips are our own—who is Lord over us?" (Psalm 12:4).

"Brothers, do not speak evil of one another" (James 4:11). Is not this a word which is much needed by some of us today? Alas, in some quarters the habit of discrediting others behind their backs has become so common that it is regarded almost as a matter of course; the mentioning to others of a brother's faults or a sister's failures, the repeating of unfavorable reports which have come to our ears—is so general that few appear to make any conscience thereof. Nevertheless, God still says "Brothers, do not speak evil of one another." Yes, this is an exhortation which requires to be prayerfully taken to heart, by not a few. Personally, the writer has to acknowledge with shame that this Divine injunction has not had the restraining influence upon his unruly tongue which it ought, and in what follows he desires to preach unto himself as well as to others. How solemn it is to observe that one of the sins mentioned in that awful catalogue enumerated in Romans 1:29-31, is that of detraction or injuring the reputation of others, "whisperers, backbiters". Herein does the corruption of man's vitiated nature evidence itself. To stain the good reputation of another is highly reprehensible.

God commanded us to love our neighbor as our self, and this requires that I am to be concerned not only about his person and property—but to protect his good name. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" (Proverbs 22:1), and therefore to rob a man of his good name—is worse than stealing his property. A citizen of Zion is thus described, "One who has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman" (Psalm 15:3).

"Don't speak evil against each other, brethren" (James 4:11). That which is here forbidden, is the saying of anything, be it true or false, to the harm of another. God requires that our words should be governed by "the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26), and anything which would hurt or injure the reputation of another is to be rigidly shunned. Whenever I cannot speak well of my brother or sister, I must say nothing at all. It is devilish to take delight in exposing the faults of fellow-Christians, and stirring up prejudice and bitter feelings against them (Rev. 12:10). God requires that our words should agree with love—as well as with truth. Since Christians are brethren, the last thing they should be guilty of is defaming one another.

"Do not pay attention to every word people say" (Eccl. 7:21). "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:27). Beware of evil listening! Those who receive tales about others, who delight to hear of the failings of their brethren, encourage evil speakers in their sin and are partakers of their guilt. "The north wind drives away rain—so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue" (Proverbs 25:23). The Christian is not only bidden to abstain from all evil speaking himself—but is required to discourage this sin in others by frowning on it and endeavoring to disapprove it. Slanders would not be so readily spoken as they are—if they were not so readily heard. "Many abuse those spoken evil of, only in hopes to curry favor with those they speak to" (Matthew Henry). Disappoint them by showing your disapproval.

Since it be a grievous sin to speak evil of a brother in Christ, how much greater is the offence when it is committed against one of His ministering servants! True, they are not faultless, yet their blemishes are not to be blazed abroad—but should be covered with the mantle of love. "Why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" (Num. 12:8)—observe the emphasis—you should be afraid to speak evil against any one, much more against My honored servant. It is written, "Against an elder, receive not an accusation—but before two or three witnesses" (1 Tim. 5:19). It is at our peril that we say or do anything against the servants of God, for He reckons those who touch them as touching "the apple of His eye" (Zech. 2:8). "Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm" (Psalm 105:15) is His express command.

To speak evil of others, proceeds from ill will or malice, either desiring that they should be made odious in the esteem of others, or being quite indifferent if that effect be produced. To say that no harm is intended, is to talk foolishly, "Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon, is someone who deceives his friend and then says—I was only joking." (Proverbs 26:18, 19). Much repeating of the ill reports about others, issues from an uncharitable readiness to believe the worst, "For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it" (Jer. 20:10). But the chief cause of this evil is an unruly tongue, nor are we likely to seek grace for bridling that member, until we really make conscience of this sin.

It is both striking and searching to note how often the Holy Spirit addresses Himself to God's children on this subject. Many are the verses in the Book of Proverbs which contain beneficial instruction for the right use of our tongues. So also in the New Testament, exhortations are frequently given against the wrong use of our tongues. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" (Eph. 4:31). "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6).

"Therefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:1, 2). There must be the definite and daily "laying aside" of these bad habits if we are to preserve a healthy appetite for spiritual things. "For he who will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no deceit" (1 Peter 3:10). Here is one of the Divine rules of longevity, "evil speaking" has more ill effect upon the health than many imagine!

But is all speaking evil of another unlawful? No, though even here it is hard to keep clear of sinning. There are times when it is a duty to caution our friends against those who might prove a harm to them. If I know one is about to buy an article that has been misrepresented, or trust some money to a dishonest person, then I must faithfully raise my voice in warning. If I should be summoned as a witness in court, then I am bound to tell what I know. Yet, where the glory of God and the honour of His Gospel is at stake, or where there is danger of a brother being imposed upon or wronged, and my duty to speak out is plain, nevertheless, the following cautions need to be heeded.

First, take pains to fully verify what you have heard, and make sure that what you relate is true.

Second, do it in a right spirit—not censoriously, nor with delight—but with godly sorrow.

Third, be impartial, and if occasion requires you to mention another's faults, be careful not to conceal his virtues.

Except where the glory of God plainly requires it, and the good of our neighbor or brother demands it—we must refrain from all evil speaking of others. If we are duly occupied with and humbled over our own many faults, we shall have neither time nor inclination to dwell upon or publish those of others. If we properly heed the exhortation of Philippians 4:8, we shall cultivate the habit of admiring the graces in our brethren—instead of like filthy flies settling on their sores. Certain it is, that if we are not tender of the reputation of others, God will make us taste of the bitterness of this affliction for ourselves, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked—for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matt. 7:2).

How solemn is that word, "They speak evil of you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead" (1 Peter 4:4, 5). Well may we pray, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord! Keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3)

gracegems.org/Pink/evil_speaking.htm