GOD’S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE, Part 5

Although the King James Version uses the word “unseemly,” most translations use the word “rude.” The Strong’s concordance says this word means “indecency, shame, unbecoming.”

I believe it is important for all Christian parents to repeatedly teach their children this truth so that it enters deeply within them that God’s love flowing through them will not allow them to behave unseemly, rudely, indecently, or shamefully.

We are living in a generation that is far too disrespectful in their behavior and speech towards their parents, elders, peers, the elderly, and those who have rule and authority over them.

There was a time in our culture when we were taught to stand up, bow down, and kneel in the presence of those whose position rightfully deserved our honor and respect.

Proverbs 25:6; “Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men. For better is it that it be said of thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.”

To put oneself forward into an honored position in someone else’s home without being invited is rude and unseemly. Do not take the chair of honor in the dining room nor at the dinner table unless you are asked.

Leviticus 19;32 (NET): “You must stand up in the presence of the aged, honor the presence of an elder and fear your God. I am the LORD.”

This appropriate behavior is not only for special occasions, but for normal everyday life. Many of our English-speaking nations have departed from our Judeo /Christian culture norms to our own discredit. We no longer address an older stranger whose name we do not know as Sir or Mister, or an older lady we do not know as Ma’am or Madam.

It is now normal to be uncouth, brash, arrogant, and down right disrespectful in the presence of the opposite sex and innocent children.

Freedom of speech does not give us the right to say whatever we like for God will judge every man according to what comes out of his mouth. Even when we share a testimony or a word before God’s people at church or a Christian gathering, we must be careful to be honorable with our words.

Matthew 12:36, 36: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words that shalt be condemned.”

Ephesians 4:29, 30: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your nouth but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Colossians 4:6; “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

James 3:8-10: “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith cruse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceeded blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

Unseemly speech will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Unseemly words or behavior do not promote the love of God nor are they motivated by the loved of God.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell