The Tongue - Edition #9: Persuasive Speech

April 10th, 2006

It’s Good Monday! Of course, everyday is a good day and should be appreciated. Anytime I am given something, I need to appreciate it. Breath, life, family, friends, and especially a relationship with God, these things I need to appreciate on a consistent and continual basis. Unfortunately it doesn’t always happen that way.

The Tongue – Edition #9: Persuasive Speech

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

You know, I am sure that Ananias was a great guy on the surface. He was probably a funny guy, demanded great attention, and most likely did a lot of things for the brothers and sisters. But a lie is a lie no matter how big or small. He wasn’t telling people that it would take him a week longer to do something than it would. He was saying that he was giving all the money to the church when in fact, he didn’t. The church would have been grateful for whatever money he gave, that wasn’t the issue. He was simply trying to look better than he was. He was trying to convince the people he was just as sacrificial as Barnabas. Truth of the matter is that they both were just as sacrificial, it’s just Barnabas didn’t lie about his contribution. When we lie and try to persuade men, we may succeed enough to fool them into thinking we are better than we are, but the fact is, we can’t fool God.

Acts 5:34-40
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

This goes to prove, speech persuades men, and not God. Gamaliel persuaded them to let them go, although the Pharisees still had them flogged, there were set free. The IRS will come and go. Houses are built and then torn down. Newspapers are generally good for but a day. Things come and go, but God is forever. When I do things, am I trying to persuade men or God? Do I lie and minimize it (it’s just a white lie)? Speech is a reflection of the heart… how is my heart being reflected? Only God and I can truly answer this question, but if there are enough people in my life, maybe they can shed some light on it all and keep me from being carried away by young men.

Johnny always acted like he knew everything. On one occasion he accompanied a friend to buy a computer. Looking at an optical mouse, his friend asks “Why use light when you can use the ball?” Johnny thought for a minute and said; “You can use it as a flashlight when the power goes out!”

A driving instructor asked Johnny, “What would you do if you were going up an icy hill and the motor stalled and brakes failed?” Johnny then replied, “I’d quickly adjust the rearview mirror.”