On the Sabbath, one of the chief blessings we have as Christians is to be able to fellowship. Fundamental to our fellowshipping with one another is conversation. Our conversations range from the weather, to how our week went. We share our ups, downs, and concerns. We discuss our jobs, sports, and our families.
However, does everything that we discuss promote keeping the Sabbath holy?
I think many times we discuss whatever comes to mind and we don’t stop to think: Do my words honor God and the Sabbath day?
The words we use are important to our relationship with God. Note what Christ said concerning the words we use, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man" (Matthew 15:11). Our words can defile us and as we use words that cause defilement, on the Sabbath or not, we sin against God.
Christ also said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Christ’s words would seem to indicate that our words reflect what we value. In the context of the Sabbath, it appears that our words define that in which we find pleasure, that which we honor and in which we take delight. Hence, if we value the Sabbath then our words will reflect the fact that we find pleasure in the Sabbath above our own pleasure. Our words would reflect the delight we have in the Sabbath day and they would honor “the Lord of the Sabbath.”
As we go to Sabbath services, one of the delights of God’s holy time is to converse with people of like mind. We might stop to think about our conversations and ask ourselves, “Am I speaking my own words? Or am I speaking words that honor God on the Sabbath day?”
One suggestion for honoring God on the Sabbath is to ask, “What have you been studying this past week?” Hopefully this question will stimulate conversation concerning God and His word. Such words will be most pleasing to God on the Sabbath.
Enjoy the Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
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