Titus 3:3–8 Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other. However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life. This is a statement that can be trusted. I want you to insist on these things so that those who believe in God can concentrate on setting an example by doing good things. This is good and helps other people.
LET US NOT FORGET WHAT GOD DID FOR US.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Proverbs 26:23–28 ⸤Like⸥ a clay pot covered with cheap silver, so is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart. Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit. When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart. His hatred is deceitfully hidden, but his wickedness will be revealed to the community. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.
Romans 2:3 When you judge people for doing these things but then do them yourself, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Hypocrisy is when someone claims to have certain beliefs, principles, or standards but acts in a way that contradicts them. It’s like preaching honesty while secretly being deceptive, or criticizing others for something you do yourself. It can be frustrating because it creates a gap between words and actions.
BE AWARE OF HYPOCRISY DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE BE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Ephesians 5:4 It’s not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Instead, give thanks ⸤to God⸥.
The believer follows God, by being clean-mouthed. If a believer is to follow and imitate God, he has to be pure in speech and conversation; he has to keep his mouth or tongue clean. He cannot let his mouth become foul, polluted, filthy, and vile. He is never, not once, to be engaged in filthiness (aischrotes): using the mouth in obscene, shameful, foul, polluted, base, immoral conduct and conversation. What an indictment of our day—a day of sodomy and perversion. And note: the word refers to both conduct and speech. How polluted and foul-mouthed so many have become—so much so that society could easily be known as a second Sodom and Gomorrah. The believer is never once to engage in foolish talking (morologia): empty, unthoughtful, senseless, wasted, idle, aimless, or purposeless talk; talk that just fritters away and wastes time, that has absolutely no purpose to it. It also means sinful, foolish, silly, and corrupt talk.
Ephesians 4:29 Don’t say anything that would hurt ⸤another person⸥. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.
The believer is to strip away filthy and foul talk. The word corrupt (sapros) means rotten, foul, putrid and polluting. Corrupt talk, of course, would include cursing and unholy talk and even the worthless conversation that is so often carried on by people. The Amplified New Testament has a good description.
“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth” (Ep. 4:29).
Scripture says that a man with a foul mouth has a mouth that is “an open sepulchre [grave]” (Ro. 3:13). An open grave is foul, and it is a symbol of corruption. So is a man with a sinful mouth. His mouth is …
The obscene mouth may range from off-colored humor to dirty jokes, from immoral suggestions to outright propositions for sex. But no matter, a man with a foul mouth stinks just like an open grave; his filthiness causes corruption, the decay of character. The filth from his mouth eats and eats away at his character and at the character of his listeners—so much so that he becomes as offensive as that of a decayed corpse. The foul, filthy mouth kills character, its attractiveness, trust, faithfulness, morality, honor, and godliness.
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE A GOOD REFRESHER.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAMM
1 Peter 2:15 God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. This verse emphasizes the power of good deeds and righteous living in countering negativity or opposition. Instead of responding to criticism with hostility, it encourages believers to let their actions speak for themselves. Living a life of integrity and goodness can be a testimony that quiets those who misunderstand or criticize unjustly.
OUR GOD TEACHES US THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING GOOD DEEDS. Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” This verse encourages persistence in doing good, reminding believers that their efforts will be rewarded.
Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Doing good is a way to reflect God’s love and inspire others.
Titus 2:7-8 – “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” This verse reinforces the idea that upright behavior can leave critics with no grounds for accusation.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” Living a respectful and diligent life can be a testimony to those outside the faith.
ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN SILENCE OPPOSITION BY DOING GOOD AND LIVING A RIGHTEOUS LIFE.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Mark 9:23: “‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.“
Acts 16:31: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Romans 1:17: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.”
John 11:40: “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’
Psalm 27:13: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
I HOPE YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. TRUST, BELIEVE, AND RECEIVE.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
1 Corinthians 7:39–40 A married woman must remain with her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if the man is a Christian.However, she will be more blessed if she stays as she is. That is my opinion, and I think that I, too, have God’s Spirit.
Marriage is for life, and is ended by the death of one of the partners (7:39–40). Paul says Christian widows are free to marry—but they should only marry a fellow Christian. His own judgment is that widows will find more happiness in the undivided life of being single.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
LET US NOT FORGET HOW MUCH WE NEED GOD.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Romans 6:11–14 So consider yourselves dead to sin’s power but living for God in the power Christ Jesus gives you. Therefore, never let sin rule your physical body so that you obey its desires. Never offer any part of your body to sin’s power. No part of your body should ever be used to do any ungodly thing. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have come back from death and are now alive. Offer all the parts of your body to God. Use them to do everything that God approves of. Certainly, sin shouldn’t have power over you because you’re not controlled by God’s laws, but by God’s favor.
2 Timothy 2:22 Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.
1 John 3:18 Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.
ALLOW THIS WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. LET US LIVE THE NEW LIFE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH.
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
