Matthew 12:33-37 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Judgment Day

Matthew 12:33-37 – Judgment Day!

|| Luke 6:43-45

MT12:33 “You either make the tree[1] good[2] and its fruitage[3] good, or[4] you make the tree rotten and the fruitage rotten. For a tree is known by its fruitage. MT12:34 Generation of vipers,[5] how can you speak good[6] when you are wicked? For out of the heart’s bounty[7] the mouth speaks. MT12:35 Out of the good[8] person’s heart comes a treasure of goodness;[9] and expelled out[10] of the wicked[11] person’s wicked treasure[12] comes wickedness. MT12:36 But I tell you that every fruitless word[13] human’s speak will be held to account[14] on Judgment Day.[15] MT12:37 For by your words you will be declared ‘Not Guilty,’[16] and by your words you will be accursed.”[17]

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[1] You either make the tree: An awesome thought. We make the tree – either good or wicked. Jesus uses the tree as a metaphor for what a person produces. He has done it already in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:17). John the Baptists uses the idea first. See Matthew 3:10.

[2] Good: The Greek is KALON and is generally rendered “good” though there is another word for such – AGATHOS. There is a shade of difference in the two words. It is something like the Spanish bueno as opposed to bein. One means “good,” and the other “fine.” These are words in English with wide ranges of meaning and only the context can indicate what is being meant. In the KJV the word occurs 102 times and is generally rendered “good.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance indicates other meanings: 1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; 1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent; 1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; 1b1) genuine, approved.

[3] Fruitage: An often used idea of the Nazarene. Compare John 15:1-10. To Jesus the greatest of the fruitages are: faith and love (1 John 3:23). Fruitage is proof of one’s heart or inner motives and agenda. Fruitage which is self-centered leads to wickedness. Fruitage which is self-less leads to goodness and love.

[4] Or: There are only two choices.

[5] Generation of vipers: Or, ASV: offspring; WEY: brood. Jesus uses the condemnation again at Matthew 23:33. He has in mind the Pharisees, not the average folk. Compare John 8:44. These are the “seed” or offspring of the original serpent (Genesis 3:15).

[6] How can you speak good: They have just accused Jesus of being associated with Satan.

[7] Heart’s bounty: Or, KJV: abundance of the heart; TCNT: what fills the heart will rise to the lips; KNX: heart’s overflow. Proof of the heart’s motive is the mouth. What does one talk about? What is the general subject of conversation? How does one speak of another? Someone in this audience has just uttered the word “Beelzebubel” as an accusation against – not Jesus directly – but what he has done, by the Holy Pneuma.

[8] Good: The Greek is AGATHOS and generally translated “good.” The English word is one that has scores of meanings. Here it means morally excellent or virtuous kindness. Good is something positive toward another. The morality of this Nazarene teacher rises to celestial heights. Though it often means what is upright and honorable, it goes beyond mere righteousness. Righteousness is obedient to law. That is, a law-abiding person. AGATHOS goes beyond the law to do a kindness not necessarily required by the law.

[9] A treasure of goodness: The Greek for “treasure” is THESAUROU, or that which is saved or stored up. It is not a matter of one act of goodness – but a treasure of goodness. The good tree has been growing for years from a seedling to a mature fruit-bearer.

[10] Expelled out: The Greek is EKBALLEI and is related to the word from which “exorcise” comes. Or, GDSP: out of what he has accumulated that is bad, brings out things that are.

[11] Wicked: The Greek is PONERA (PONEROS, PONEROU) and is also rendered: KJV: evil; GDSP: bad. The English word is related to “witch” and in its extreme forms means bad moral character, evil, depraved. The Greek means hurtful or malicious, so it is rooted in what is unkind and unloving toward others. The word has some range and the Nazarene, perhaps sarcastically, even calls his disciples “wicked.” Compare Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13. Consider what is involved in wickedness and how they all violate the Golden Rule: Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.” (Weymouth) Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, the evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders, thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness; all these evils do come forth from within, and they defile the man.” (Young)

[12] Wicked treasure: As a person grows – like a tree – certain traits and characteristics are developing and evolving. Everyone has stored up something in attitudes and personality attributes. Some, however, have saved or stored up a treasure with a bent toward wickedness. Essentially wickedness is that character which is self-seeking, unloving, and without faith. It is the ego gone amuck.

[13] Every fruitless word: The Greek is AERGOS and rooted in ERGON (work) and means “non-working” or idle. It is a word spoken when one is relaxed, not on guard. A word revealing the true character. Or, KJV: every idle word; TCNT: every careless word; RHM: every useless expression; NEB: thoughtless word. The Greek may mean a word or a message. The word here in the context was “Beelzebul” directed against Jesus. This is not a mere slip of the lip for none are perfect in their speech (James 3:1-3; 1 John 1:8; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9). This is evilly motivated out of jealous hatred. Ancient Greek playwright said: “A man’s character can be known by his words.” Pythagoras offered: “Choose rather to fling a chance stone than to speak a chance word.”

“Beelzebub and them that are with him shoot arrows.” an illustration from the Henry Altemus edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, published in 1678. Illustrations by Fred Barnard (1846–1896) Blue pencil

[14] Held to account: Or, KJV: give account; NWT: accountable; NAS: render account. Jesus makes clear we will answer for every wicked word on Judgment Day. In the audience was someone who spoke an unforgivable word, “Beelzebul.” A name of accusation against the power behind the Nazarene. Now, surely, his error comes back upon his head to haunt him. Paul expresses something similar in 2 Corinthians 5:10; and, John does so in 1 John 2:28; 4:17. There are two outcomes for he Christian during the parousia-judgment: a clear conscience or shame and embarrassment (Daniel 12:2; 1 John 2:28).

[15] Judgment Day: See notes on Matthew 7:3; 11:22. Compare Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:12-14.

[16] Declared ‘Not Guilty’: The Greek is DIKAIOTHESE and is generally rendered “justified.” RIEU: acquitted; NWT: declared righteous. Note the basis for judgment by Jesus: it is our mouth. Surely a heart full of love will never speak wickedness against another. In the context before us the words are a horror: accusing another of being demonized or apostate (Matthew 5:22).

[17] Accursed: Or, KJV: condemned. It is the same word for “justified” above with the addition of the preposition: KATA-DIKASTHESE. The idea is “Guilty!”

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Preceding

The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 5:1-12 Nazarene Mountain teachings: Blessed and legal commentaries

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #4 Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 12:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Something Greater than the Temple

Matthew 12:9-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?

Matthew 12:22-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: the Charge of Demonism

Matthew 12:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Blasphemy against the Pneuma

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Additional reading

1. Ability
2. Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit
3. The giving and protecting God
4. Good and bad things in this world
5. Belief of the things that God has promised
6. Spread love everywhere you go
7. Growth in character
8. Let us become nothing, and Christ everything
9. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness
10. Kindness

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Related

1. Using “Theocratic Language” with Jehovah’s Witnesses
2. The Love We Have
3. A plan of sheer goodness
4. Today’s Fragrance: Reckless Love
5. Today’s Word.
6. God Does Not Promise Teddy Bears
7. Today’s Thought: What Everything Hangs On
8. The Knowledge of Good
9. Showing Goodness
10. Fruit of Goodness
11. Goodness — God is pleased with the good works of his people
12. Speaking The Truth in Love
13. Why Spread Beauty?
14. Sin, Righteousness, Judgment
15. What do righteousness, sanctification and baptism mean?

Matthew 12:9-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?

Matthew 12:9-21 – Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?

|| Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

MT12:9 Leaving there Jesus went into their synagogue. MT12:10 And, look! a human with a dried-up hand![1] So, they asked Jesus, “Is it permissible to cure on the Sabbath?”[2] (They asked so they might accuse him.) MT12:11 Jesus told them, “Which human among you who has a single sheep[3] – fallen into a pit on the Sabbath – and will not grab it and pull it out? MT12:12 So, how much more different[4] is a human from a sheep. Thus, it is permissible to do good[5] on Sabbaths.” MT12:13 Then Jesus spoke to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”[6] And as he did his hand was restored, as sound as the other. MT12:14 But the Pharisees[7] had turned out and they conferred against him how they might destroy Jesus. MT12:15 However, realizing this, Jesus withdrew[8] from there. And many followed him and he cured them all. MT12:16 Jesus cautioned them[9] not to make him manifest MT12:17 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah[10] might be fulfilled,[11] MT12:18 “Look! My[12] servant-boy[13] whom I chose, My beloved[14] in whom My soul delights! Upon him I will place My Pneuma.[15] He will announce justice[16] to the nations. MT12:19 He will not quarrel,[17] nor yell,[18] nor will any hear his [raised] voice in public streets.[19] MT12:20 He will not crush a bruised reed,[20] nor smother a flickering [candle] wick[21] – until he sends forth victorious justice.[22] MT12:21 And in his name nations will hope.”[23] [Isaiah 42:1-4]

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Jesus healing the withered hand

[1] Dried-up hand: KJV: withered; WEY: shriveled; TAY: deformed.

[2] Is it permissible to cure on the Sabbath: Or, allowable, lawful. This issue becomes a point of contention with the Pharisees. At the root of it is law versus human kindness and charity. There are those religious persons who would pile rules upon rules but are not characterized by kindness and charity.

[3] Sheep: Sheep are Jesus’ favorite animal. They occur 35 times in the Gospels mainly in Matthew (11) and John (20). Most of the great men of the Bible were somehow associated with sheep in one way or another. Abel possibly sacrificed one. Noah saved their whole kind. Abraham herded them and one replaced his son. Moses went searching for a lost sheep and found Yehowah. Jesus saves all the sheep to everlasting life.

[4] How much more different: Jesus has used a similar comparison before – between sparrows and his disciples (Matthew 10:31).

[5] Permissible to do good: We can only imagine the tone in his voice, the look in his eyes, the warm slight smile, as he said this to those in the synagogue. It is always lawful to do good. Paul is to echo the same idea at Galatians 5:22, 23.

[6] Stretch out your hand: This alone is an act of faith and we see on the man’s face expectant confidence. There is a similar story in the apocryphal book Gospel to the Hebrews. There the man explains himself: “I was a stone mason, seeking my living with my hands. I pray you, Jesus, to give me back my health, so that I shall not need to beg for food in shame.”

[7] The Pharisees: The evil plot begins which is to be fulfilled a year later. “Destroy” is also rendered: GDSP: to put him to death; PME: get rid of him altogether. See notes on Matthew 3:7.

[8] Jesus withdrew: The Nazarene follows his own counsel to his apostles (Matthew 10:16, 23).

[9] Jesus cautioned them: This is something Jesus does often usually with the result that the news spreads even more.

[10] Isaiah: The quotation is from Isaiah 42:1-4. The work by Archer and Chirichigno, Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament: a Complete Survey, observes: “This is a classic case of the independence of the LXX on Matthew’s part.” (pages 112-3)

[11] So that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: The quotation explains Jesus’ caution not to tell others.

[12] My: Yehowah.

[13] Servant-boy: See notes on Matthew 8:6. Yehowah refers to His Son as His “boy” or servant. Compare Acts 4:27 (PAIDA) and Acts 4:29 (DOULOIS = slaves).

[14] My beloved: The original context deals with the Persia king Cyrus, the instrument of Yehowah in delivering the Jews from Babylon. He is a Messiah-type for Jesus as Matthew’s inspired application shows.

[15] Upon him I will place My Pneuma: It is Yehowah who “places” or puts His spirit upon His servant-boy. On Pneuma see Matthew 1:18. PNEUMA means breath or wind in Greek – an invisible pressure. Paul compares pneuma to the “mind of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:16; Isaiah 40:13)

[16] Announce justice: Or, TCNT: announce a time of judgment; MOF: proclaim religion to the Non-Jews; LAM: preach justice to the people.

[17] He will not quarrel: Or, KJV: not strive; MOF: not wrangle.

[18] Nor yell: Or, MOF: shout; ASV: cry aloud. The Messiah quietly goes about his work and let this be the means of conviction – not emotional Hitlerian oratory. William Barclay puts it: “In Jesus there is the quiet, strong serenity of one who seeks to conquer by love, and not by strife of words.” (page 24, Volume 2, The Gospel of Matthew)

[19] Voice in public streets: The screaming street-corner evangelist was not the Nazarene’s method, nor that of any of his disciples.

[20] Crush a bruised reed: Or, WEY: crush reed; GDSP: bent reed. Compare notes on Matthew 11:7. The Messiah is gentle and will do nothing to further injure a faith so weak. It is possible the “bruised reed” was the man in the synagogue with the withered hand. A hardened reed could be used as a measuring rod or a whipping stick.

[21] Smother a flickering [candle] wick: Or, KJV: smoking flax shall not quench; NEB: nor snuff out the smouldering wick; MON: the dimly burning wick. Rather, the Lord holds his palms around the meager light to protect it from wind.

[22] Until he sends forth victorious justice: Or, KJV: send forth judgment unto victory; RHM: urge on Justice to victory; TCNT: brought the judgment to a victorious issue; WEY: led on justice to victory; BAS: made righteousness overcome all; KNX: until the time he crowns his judgment with victory. Old Testament Quotations suggests: “Conceivably the establishment of God’s perfect justice on earth is to be understood as involving a conquest or subduing of mankind in order to render them obedient to the Lord’s judgment.” (page 115)

[23] In his name nations will hope: This idea would have been thought a miracle – that one day the nations or Non-Jews would hope in Jesus’ name. If Pilate had been told that in three centuries the official religion of Rome would be Christianity and that Caesar would be a Christian himself – it would have been laughable. As we approach the year 2,000 every nation on earth – every land, every island, every language among mankind – has believers and disciples who hope in the name Jesus. The truth of this prophecy is realized first with Cornelius (Acts chapter 10).

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Preceding

Matthew 11:7-15 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 3 John the Baptist and the Kingdom Goal

Matthew 12:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Something Greater than the Temple

Paul’s warning about false stories and his call to quit touching the unclean thing

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Related

1. Did You Know?
2. Matthew 12丨John Calvin
3. ‘to do good’ ….. mentioned in the Holy Bible (KJV)
4. “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” (Minor Myers Jr.)
5. An act of faith
6. Luke 13, Repent or Perish, the barren Fig Tree, healing on Sabbath?, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, The narrow Gate, Jesus laments over Jerusalem.
7. When Jesus gets angry
8. Confessing Our Sin to the One who Restores Bruised Reeds (Matthew 12:20)
9. Matthew 12, Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath,blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the sign of Jonah, Jesus’ brothers and sisters.
10. “You’re looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind.” ~Jesus
11. Breaking Through – Matthew 12:21
12. Day 16 – How much more valuable is a person?
13. Why are people important?
14. Matthew 12 – Change my heart o God

Paul’s warning about false stories and his call to quit touching the unclean thing

Paul’s warning about false stories is in the first letter he wrote to Timothy, a Christian elder. Paul told Timothy to keep the congregation clean and to help his brothers and sisters to stay loyal to Jehovah.

1 Timothy 1:18, 19: 18 This instruction* I entrust to you, my child Timothy, in harmony with the prophecies that were made about you, that by these you may go on waging the fine warfare,+ 19 holding faith and a good conscience,+ which some have thrust aside, resulting in the shipwreck of their faith.

The Greek word that Paul used for “false stories” means “a lie” or “a made-up story.” One book says that a false story is a religious story that has no connection with what is real. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia) Perhaps Paul was thinking about the religious lies that came from old stories that people made up and that made others curious.*

Paul said that these stories were dangerous because they “furnish questions for research.” This means that people who pay attention to these stories start having questions about things that are not true and then use their time trying to find the answers.

The adversaries of God (also called Satan) do like to bring division in those who are looking for God and into those who want to be part of the Body of Christ. Christendom has lots of preachers who worship another god than Jews, like Jesus worshipped only One True God. They follow lots of human teachings which where brought into the religion by the years, by so called “theologians” who claimed to be clergy ordained by God.

We must be fully aware that there are lots of people who like to twist the words of the bible, which we consider the infallible Word of God. They offer the world a false religion to fool people. That is why the Bible says that he makes himself into “an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) For example, the religions of Christendom say that they follow Christ, but they teach lies like the Trinity and hellfire. They also teach that some part of humans lives on after the death of the body. Many think that Christmas and Easter please God, but the things that people do during these celebrations really come from false worship. False stories will not fool us if we pay attention to God’s warning to separate ourselves from false religion and

“quit touching the unclean thing.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

When we hear the majority of people we may get the impression it all does not matter so much. But we may not be mistaken. God gives enough warnings and lets the world know that He is a serious God of order who wants people to recognise Him as the Only One true God. As a jealous God He also does not like it that graven images or pictures are  made of Him and other gods to pray to Him and other gods. He detest any form of heathen worship. But lots of people want to convince you and others that it does not matter to participate at those many heathen festivals, like Halloween, Christmas, Easter and so on. They want you to believe all those stories about Santa Claus, the elf’s, Easter bunnies do no harm. Such teachers are the ones Paul and other apostles warn for. Because they allow wrong actions to be done by you, and you to be a partaker of heathen festivals, which is an abomination in the eyes of God.

A map of the world, showing the major religions distributed in the world as of today. A different type of map which views only the religion as a whole excluding denominations or sects of the religions, and is colored by how the religions are distributed not by main religion of country etc. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We may never forget that the first and biggest lie, which false teachers bring is:

You can do whatever you want; you decide what is right and what is wrong.

We often hear this on television, in movies, in magazines, in newspapers, and on the Internet. Because we hear this lie all the time, it is easy for us to start to think that way and follow the immoral ideas of the world. But the truth is that we need God to tell us what is right and what is wrong.

Jeremiah 10:23: 23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.+

The second lie is:

You are now saved and free to do whatever you want. God will never change anything on the earth.

This idea makes people think only about today. They do not care about the future or about pleasing God. Several preachers wants the Christians to believe they are saved for ever and have not to worry any more about what they do or if they sin, because according to those false teachers they always will end up in heaven.

Such thought of not having to do any works of faith is a false teaching which lures lots of Christians in not bothering any more to do good and to avoid doing wrong. Lots of people start to think like them and then become “inactive or unfruitful” in their service to God. They become partakers of this world corrupt system, avoiding you to escape the entrapments of this world.

2 Peter 1:4-8-11: 4 Through these things he has granted* us the precious and very grand promises,+ so that through these you may become sharers in divine nature,+ having escaped from the world’s corruption produced by wrong desire.* 5 For this very reason, put forth all earnest effort+ to supply to your faith virtue,+ to your virtue knowledge,+ 6 to your knowledge self-control, to your self-control+ endurance, to your endurance godly devotion,+ 7 to your godly devotion brotherly affection, to your brotherly affection love.+ 8 For if these things exist in you and overflow, they will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful*+ regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For anyone lacking these things is blind, shutting his eyes to the light,*+ and has become forgetful of his cleansing from his sins+ of long ago. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling+ and choosing sure for yourselves, for if you keep on doing these things, you will by no means ever fail.+ 11 In fact, in this way you will be richly granted* entrance into the everlasting Kingdom+ of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.+

False teachers blind people or shut their eyes for their actions and for abstaining from certain actions the people of the world like to do. They give the impression it does not harm to be of this world and to partake into all the actions of this world.

Peresopnytsia Gospels. 1556-1561. Miniature of Saint Matthew. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Already early in the beginning of manhood man became to dread the presence of God because they were under His wrath. The children of Adam and Eve present to us a picture of good and false religion. Cain his offering was not done in the right way and was rejected, which made him furious and made him to kill his brother Abel. Later in history man sought all sorts of ways to elucidate things he could not understand and therefore started making different gods. They also started to split the elements of nature into characters of God, often giving reason for them to worship elements of natural phenomenons and creating ones-more false gods. Trying to declare the events in our world lots of philosophies were brought forward. Many people got carried away by such philosophies and by teachers using lots of such theories. Also today we can see that false teachers take many captive through their words full of philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on the teachings of the Jewish Nazarene Jeshua, Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:8-9: 8 Look out that no one takes you captive* by means of the philosophy and empty deception+ according to human tradition, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ; 9 because it is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily.+

Neither Jesus nor his disciples ever quoted oral Jewish tradition to support their teachings but, rather, appealed to the written Word of God. (Mt 4:4-10; Ro 15:4; 2Ti 3:15-17) It is the Word of Gdo as presented in the Scriptures which we should hear and take into account.

Mt 4:4-10: 4 But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s* mouth.’”+

5 Then the Devil took him along into the holy city,+ and he stationed him on the battlement* of the temple+ 6 and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’”+ 7 Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah* your God to the test.’”+

8 Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.+ 9 And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah* your God you must worship,+ and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”+ 11 

Jesus as the son of God never wanted to test God and preferred doing God His will, not his own will. Jesus gave an example to us how we, like him, should obey only Jehovah God and not try the Most High God to see how far we can go or what we can do to better ourselves. All people should come to understand not human teachings are going to bring the all life saving knowledge. Man should know that the Most High God provided all knowledge man should know to come to live a proper life giving him the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God.

Ro 15:4: 4 For all the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction,+ so that through our endurance+ and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.+

Though it might ask patience fro mus it are the writings in those old manuscripts, reprinted in the different Bible translations, which shall bring hope and comfort. We must pay full attention to those words in that Book of books, Bestseller of all times, that was written for our instruction in order that through the steadfastness and encouragement in the scriptures we may have hope. False teachers do bring false hope and might even take away the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God, because you going in against the Will of God.

From the early gatherings of the followers of Christ we can see that observance of the unscriptural Jewish traditions amounted to a “fruitless form of conduct” that Jewish persons had ‘received by tradition from their forefathers [Gr., pa·tro·pa·ra·doʹtou, “given along from fathers”].’

1Pe 1:18:  18 For you know that it was not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, that you were set free*+ from your futile way of life handed down to you by your forefathers.*

The “things given aside” (The Greek word pa·raʹdo·sis means, literally, “a thing given beside”) and hence “that which is transmitted by word of mouth or in writing.” (1Co 11:2, Int) we should be very careful with and always compare it with what is written in the Bible. The word paradosis as used in the Christian Greek Scriptures is applied to traditions that were proper or acceptable aspects of true worship, as well as to those that were in error or were followed or viewed in a way that made them harmful and objectionable. the false teachers are those who present such sayings which are in error with the bible, God’s Word.

Several Jews, upon becoming Christians, abandoned many false Jewish traditions. When some false teachers in Colossae urged taking up that form of worship, Paul warned against “the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men.” Though evidently he meant, especially, the traditions of Judaism (Col 2:8, 13-17) we also can transpose it to the Celtic and Germanic traditions which were integrated by the false church, first the Catholic Church and later also not abandoned by many protestant churches.

Viewing tradition in the sense of guidelines handed down orally or by example, the information that the apostle Paul received directly from Jesus could properly be passed on to the Christian congregations as acceptable Christian tradition. This was so, for example, regarding the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal. (1Co 11:2, 23) The teachings and example set by the apostles constituted valid tradition. Thus, Paul, who had personally toiled with his hands so as not to be a financial burden on his brothers (Ac 18:3; 20:34; 1Co 9:15; 1Th 2:9), could urge the Thessalonian Christians

“to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition [pa·raʹdo·sin]” they had received. One who would not work was plainly not following the fine example or tradition of the apostles. (2Th 3:6-11).

Each of us shall have to decide fro himself or herself in which way he or she wants to follow human teachings and human traditions or the Word and the Will of God. Those who want to call themselves Christian should know that God’s Word should come in the first place. all should also know that when one chooses to follow human doctrines, like the one of the Trinity a.o., it shall be decisive for what happens with that person. We always should remember

Mark 7:7-8: 7 It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’+ 8 You let go of the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men.”+

Isaiah 29:13: 13 Jehovah says: “This people approaches me with their mouth, And they honor me with their lips,+ But their heart is far removed from me; And their fear of me is based on commands of men that they have been taught.+

Following false teachers shall not bring us far. Just the other way around, it shall bring us on the wrong track, further away from the entrance to the Kingdom of God.

The truth is that Jehovah will soon change things on the earth, and we must show by the way we live that we really believe that there is Only One True God above all gods and that He had sent His only begotten son, who did not do his own will (which he would have done when he – Jesus -would be God) and gave his body as a ransom for our sins to liberate us from the enslavement of sin and the curse of death. In that son of man we should find our hope, because God authorised him to be a high priest for God and a mediator between God and man. We may be looking forward to the time this man of flesh and blood, who was taken up in heaven to sit next to God, shall come back to the earth to judge the living and the dead. Make sure that you are ready for that time.

Matthew 24:44: 44 On this account, you too prove yourselves ready,+ because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.

Mark 13:35: 35 Keep on the watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming,+ whether late in the day or at midnight or before dawn* or early in the morning,+

Make sure you prove yourself ready by being alert, always on the lookout,

Mark 13:33: 33 Keep looking, keep awake,+ for you do not know when the appointed time is.+

Romans 13:11 : 11 And do this because you know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep,+ for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers.

1 Thessalonians 5:6: 6 So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do,+ but let us stay awake+ and keep our senses.+

*

Footnote:

• The book of Tobit, or Tobias, which some people think is part of the Bible, is an example of the false stories that existed in Paul’s time. It was written about the third century before Christ. This book is full of false beliefs and stories of magic. It tells impossible stories but says that they are true.

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Preceding articles

Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

Position and power The early days of Christianity

False teachers and false prophets still around

Good or bad preacher

Teachings, prophets, wolves in sheep’s covering and a narrow gate

2015 the year of ISIS

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Additional reading

1. Warning
2. Should We Love The Ungodly?
3. Satan Has Many Roads That Lead To Him But Jesus Only Has One
4. Settling for Less
5. Fundamentals of Iglesia Ni Cristo. 26 Points Contrary to the Holy Bible.
6. Beware of Counterfeit Catholicism
7. Prophecy or Divination?
8. The beginning of false religion
9. High-living North Carolina ‘prosperity gospel’ pastor indicted for bilking church in massive tax fraud scam
10. Being Religious and Spiritual 6 Romantici, utopists and transcendentalists
11. Lord in place of the divine name
12. Displeasures and Actions of the Almighty God
13. Relapse plan
14. Perishable non theologians daring to go out to preach
15. Halloween custom of the nations
16. Christmas in Ancient Rome (AKA Saturnalia)
17. Great things, Voice of God and terrors
18. Satan the evil within

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Further related posts

1. My experience today with detecting cults / false churches
2. Brian Leonard Golightly Marshall False Messiah Part 1
3. The Warlord Of Religion 
4. True and false religion
5. It’s Never been about Religion!
6. Cookie a day: Topic-Man-Made Tradition
7. Speck In Your Eye
8. “Westboro Baptist Church cheers on Hurricane Irma via Twitter”
9. Calvinism & Christianity
10. If God spoke to us audibly
11. Why Are there So Many “Gods” & Religions?
12. Know God in a Year #191 Religion Gone Bad
13. Church History is good to know
14. Confounding the Idols: A Rebuke of the Impotency of the Modern Church
15. What Is A False Prophet?
16. “Cain,Tubal Cain, Mystery Babylon & The Image of the Beast”
17. Confident Evangelism: Roman Catholicism
18. What makes a false religion, false?
19. Babylon Is Fallen
20. The Danger Of Hyper-Grace
21. Falling for Anything

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Not withholding the Good News

When on holiday probably you may meet different people on places where you have not been before and where you shall not come again soon. It are places where probably nobody knows you. When you are there it is with your attitude, your example, the way you treat others around you, how you act and speak that you shall give an impression of what and who you are.

Geographic features of Southern European countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea

When being a Christian it is very important that you give others the right impression. The last few weeks from the South of Europe we got a lot of images in the new of protestors against the many tourists who behave badly. Over the years we also have seen pictures of visitors to those places in the South of Europe behaving badly, which makes us understand why so many of the locals are fed up with those impolite visitors, drunkard and order disruptors. A big problem with the consumerism and growing tourist industry is that at many places some hotel-owners think they have to provide enough entertainment for their customers and provide all day long noise which may disturb the local inhabitants.

‘National embarrassment’: Ding Jinhao, from Nanjing in east China’s Jiangsu Province, wrote: ‘Ding Jinhao was here’ over hieroglyphics on the wall of an ancient Egyptian temple in Luxor

At the coasts of Europe we do find many places where there is a lot of noise going on until late at night, with all sorts of events which disturb not only locals but also several other people who came to have some rest.
Many tourist places also have problems with vandalism and litter from tourists. This not only a problem for Europe, as we can see how many cultural and important historic sites are damaged by visitors.

Banners reading ‘No tourism apartments’ hang from balconies in Barcelona. Photograph: Albert Gea / Reuters/Reuters

As Christians we should show our respect to the inhabitants of the places we are going to visit and should treat those places with respect, having eye for nature and keeping those places clean and not making unnecessary noise.

But at those places where we come it would not be bad to be a witness of our faith and to show others how when we all would come under Christ could be living in a peaceful world full of respect for all around us.

In the Holy scriptures we are counselled fair dealing with our fellow-men. When we are able to travel we should be pleased that we can belong to those who can afford it. In the Book of Proverbs we can find the precept that expresses the great Scriptural thought that the so-called possession of wealth is but a stewardship; that the true owners of what we call our own are those to whom, with it, we may do good. Not to relieve them is a breach of trust.

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27 NIV)

Summer Visitors by Maurice Prendergast (1897) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At our holiday resort we should show the right attitude and may not withhold good from those to whom it is due. When it is in the power of your hand to do good, to help others, to give some extra, you should do it. But this is not only for material wealth. You also can contribute with spiritual help. You can use the occasion to talk about your believes and to show your faith to others. At those resorts, hotels, campings or places where you stay to relax you make take advantage of your free time to share your faith with others. Sharing is part of showing your love for others. Sharing the Good News of the coming Kingdom is a necessity. We do have to warn people of the coming dangers. We should make them aware of the coming Great War, a horrible situation wherefore we should prepare us, making sure that we shall be spiritually strong enough to stand the many temptations, dangers and horrors. “A warned man is worth two” you should think and out of love you should warn.

You should remember the sayings from the Bible, the Law of God. You should remember what you have heard in your ecclesia (or church) and faith community. You also should practise what you remember and let all obedience be from the heart.

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.” (Proverbs 4:5 NIV)

“Let thy heart keep my commandments.”

“Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden.” (Deuteronomy 4:23 NIV)

When we are there at those places of holiday making we should not forget God but be with Him and trust Him. All actions we undertake should be in praise of the Most Highest. And how can we not do it with spreading also His Words? There, for sure, there shall be moments to chat and to have little conversations also about what you believe, where you stand for, and how you have put your hope on the son of God and are looking forewards to his return.

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Preceding articles

Summer time to spend some more time at the growing process of your faith

Christians having the right heart to call others to go to God

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses preach?

Glory of God appearing in our character

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Additional reading

1. Loving and having respect for the woman
2. Respect for all
3. Is being a humanitarian enough to convey the full love of Christ?
4. 7 Ways To Become A Better Christian
5. Crisis man needed in this world
6. Daring to speak in multicultural environment
7. How long to wait before bringing religiousness and spirituality in practice
8. Looking for True Spirituality 7 Preaching of the Good News
9. Looking for True Spirituality 8 Measuring Up
10. High time to go out telling the world about Jesus
11. Beautiful feet of those who announce the good news
12. Preaching by example
13. A Christian has to have eyes and ears and a tongue to use in good ways
14. Proclaiming: a task given to Christians
15. Go! Proclaim! Testify!
16. Go and make disciples of people of all the nations
17. Scriptures and Thoughts about: Proclaim
18. Preaching Christ Is Not Enough
19. To proclaim the day of vengeance
20. Witnesses of Christ and of his gospel
21. Witnessing because we love

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People walk past grafittis reading “Come on stand up great star hunters” written on the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in the Montmartre area in Paris on March 19, 2014. (AFP Photo / Martin Bureau) / AFP

Further reading

1. Fire in Greek refugee camp was intentional and will happen again: Eyewitnesses (Middle East Eye)
2. The Tinderbox That Is The Balkans
3. 7 cringe-worthy cases of tourists defacing natural and cultural landmarks around the world
4. ‘Ding Jihao was here’: Chinese tourist, 15, defaces 3,500-year-old Egyptian temple and his family issue national apology
5. Vandal tourist seen destroying pieces of Great Wall of China by kicking it Kung-Fu style
6. China instructs its citizens on how to behave abroad
7. Ancient Egypt Temple Vandalized by Chinese Tourist Graffiti
8. Barcelona anti-tourism activists vandalise bikes and bus
9. Damaging selfie: Student breaks 19th century statue in Milan while taking pic of himself
10. Gov’t slammed over reaction to Irianna verdict, Athens vandalism by protestors
11. “Go away!”, frustrated Venice locals tell tourists
12. ‘F**k tourism’: Vandals deface Paris’ Sacré Coeur basilica
13. Vandalism and tourism settings: An integrative review
14. Rome, Italy
15. 5 Things to do in Rome | Fariha Ansari Javed
16. When in Rome don’t sit, dip, eat, drink in fountains
17. A weekend in Venice
18. Abruzzo. The Italian region ready to be revealed
19. Discover Malta
20. Malta & Gozo
21. Portugal
22. How to mimic George Clooney’s motorcycle adventure through Spain
23. Visiting Lisbon last year
24. E28 Tram Lisbon: tourist jam
25. Meteora, Greece
26. Athens, Greece
27. A few hours to spare in… Athens
28. France and its Fantastic Summer Festivals!
29. 5 Ways To Travel Smarter In Vietnam, And Have Stories To Tell Back Home
30. A tourist in the U.K.
31. Touristing!
32. Volunteer Vs. Tourist
33. The (Not-So) Lonely Traveler
34. 20 tourist traps to avoid in Europe — and where to go instead
35. Three teens identified in Boston-area Jewish cemetery vandalism
36. FBI Reviewing Islamic Cemetery Vandalism In Castle Rock
37. Bucharest, Romania: A Sort of empty feeling
38. Regina cenotaph vandalized with graffiti
39. Graffartists are not people
40. What is Respect Nowadays? (1 min read)
41. Do to others…
42. Agape

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