We have all experienced that we apply salt to an open wound it stings. Even sweat in the eyes through physical exertion causes the eyes to sting because of the salt in the perspiration. When the truth of God’s Word comes in contact with sin or evil in our lives it has a stinging affect. We call it conviction.
When the prophet Nathan said to David, “Thou art the man,” David replied, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Samuel 12:1-14). The word of the Lord through Nathan deeply stung David’s heart. The whole of Psalm 51 is a prayer of deep repentance and an earnest cry from David’s’ stinging and convicted heart for forgiveness and restoration. This happened after he had committed adultery and taken Bathsheba to wife, and planned the killing of her husband in the battle.
In much of today’s church, God’s people do not want to be exposed to any preaching that may make them feel condemned, guilty, or convicted. Many do not want to be exposed to any preaching that is likely to sting their conscience. Many in the church only want preaching that makes them feel good about themselves. Of course, there is a time for encouragement, but only after the stinging salt of God’s Word brings repentance.
In this hour the conscience of our nation needs to be deeply stung like David was. Unfortunately no one wants to be stung. The stinging must start with God’s people first. Sadly, when many are confronted with truth, instead of humbling themselves like David, they squeal and scream and throw a fit.
David welcomed the stinging salt when he cried, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).
Although the salt stings, it also cleanses and heals the wound. Men, we must never be afraid of exposing ourselves, as well as our families, to the stinging salt of God’s Holy Word. If the preaching to which we expose ourselves and our families has no stinging affect, or very little pricking of the conscience, we need to ask, why? Are we not in any need of adjustment? Are there still some areas of our lives where we fall short of righteousness? Are we willing to expose ourselves to the x-ray ability of God’s Word to convict of any behavior that God wants to change?
We should welcome the salt so we will be convicted of anything that does not please God. A saltless church, family, or individual is insipid, without conviction , and powerless.
The question is: is there any stinging affect happening in my life? Or does the world feel comfortable around me?
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Mark 9:50: “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”
When we lose our thirst for God we need to add more spiritual salt to our daily diet. The more truth we receive from God’s Word, the more truth we will want to receive. Unfortunately, much of Christian America has lost its love for truth, especially the truth that brings correction. It is a sad day when God’s children refuse to be corrected.
Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
We know that salt is used to keep food from decaying. In ancient times, long before refrigerators, salt was very valuable because of its necessity for preserving. It was also expensive to purchase.
As Christians we have the honor and privilege to be the salt of the earth. As married men we are raising sons and daughters to be the salt of the earth in this generation.
Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Matthew 5:13: “Ye are she salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
John 6:9: “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”
The kingdom of God is much more about giving than getting.
Fathers, one of the best ways to train our children about persecution is to get them praying for the persecuted Christians in the many countries where this is happening. Heavy persecution comes to those who live in countries where the government and culture is seriously opposed to the Christian faith.
Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Who belongs to the Caleb company? Those who refuse to acknowledge walls and giants!
Men, we are surrounded with giants, walls, and mountains, e.g. homosexuality, divorce, abortion, pornography, and a host of Internet evils. Many are throwing up their hands and giving up.
If we accept the walls of defense that people put up around their lives, we are defeated before we start. If members of your family (or even your own spouse) do not wish to communicate or fellowship with you, the natural inclination is to stay away yourself and pay them back with their own medicine. But this only tends to accentuate the problem and build the walls of separation even thicker and higher.
The following Scripture is written to wives who inherently like to adorn themselves with all types of jewelry: “Let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 5:3).
Back to our subject of:
Psalm 94:16: “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?”
Does God agree in any way with the Supreme Court’s decision on homosexual marriage? The answer is Absolutely No.
A careful man I want to be;