As a group, politicians are among the most powerful and influential people on earth relative to what other people do and how they live their lives. It matters not whether they are elected by the people, have inherited their positions through matriarchal ascension or by military atrocities–their words are considered important. This is also true of other socially “important” people such as rock stars, professional athletes, movie stars and social media influencers whose opinions are thought to be of utmost importance regardless of the subject. Think about this: these people respectively make musical sounds, play with a ball, pretend to be people they are not and convince crazy people to do crazy things, some of which are deadly. Such people are often filmed and photographed while making proclamations concerning such things as elections, military actions, the passage of laws, international relations, building projects, medical situations, and social actions such as the DEI and woke movements.

The irony in such situations is that, relative to important issues, musicians, actors, internet influencers and athletes probably know less about the subject than the average person on the street. AND YET THEIR OPINIONS ARE PUT FORTH AS BEING NEWSWORTHY WHEN IN FACT THEY KNOW LITTLE, IF ANYTHING ABOUT THE SUBJECT. When it comes to things that matter, I would rather hear the opinion of the man who picks up my garbage than that of a social “star.” Not surprisingly, my garbage collector is never interviewed or photographed relative to an important social issue while television and computer screens are filled with what some “star” said about something. His or her words are usually accompanied by pictures or film clips. Incredibly, their quotes are often put forth as valuable insights relative to the subject at hand.

As the title of this teaching indicates, what we say carries significant weight. This is especially important in the spiritual realm which is the subject of this teaching. What we say lingers in the minds of others much longer than what we do. This fact is emphasized numerous times in the Holy Scriptures because the power of the tongue is far greater than the power of the body. Bodily movement normally affects only a small number of people, whereas words can move a crowd, a nation, or even the world in a particular direction–either positive or negative. For example, when Jesus said to some fishermen: “Follow Me,” they did so immediately. What those twelve men would later say changed the world. Peter’s words on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. brought about the conversions of thousands of people (Acts chapters 2-5) who were visiting Jerusalem from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5) who had come to the ancient city to celebrate the Passover/Pentecost Holy Days. These men returned home and undoubtedly told others about what they had seen and heard. Later, when Jesus sent the apostles throughout the world with the Gospel, they undoubtedly found people who had already heard about the Messiah’s ministry (Mk. 16:15). As the Lord says in Hebrews 1:7, His ministers are a “flame of fire.” I can only imagine the flame those men sent forth. I will one day meet them and tell them how grateful I am for their work, sacrifice and FIRE.

Unfortunately, false prophets also have the power of the spoken word working for them. And because their (Satan’s) version of the Truth calls for a much more self-centered and self-directed way to “get to heaven,” their words are much more appealing than the no-options commands issued by the Biblical God. Because their words are more pleasing to the hearer and require only that one believe in Jesus, it is much easier to convince salvation seekers to join a church than to believe and obey God’s strict, My-way-or-the-highway message.

For this reason false Christians outnumber true Christians millions to one. For proof, look in any phone book under the CHURCHES heading–and count. Each of the denominations listed exists because of the WORDS of a false prophet who, like the Serpent of Eden, “knows” more than God about all things spiritual. The false prophets of Catholicism/Protestantism have amassed huge followings over the past 2000 years. Their come-as-you-are-stay-as-you-are-Jesus-loves-you-the-way-you-are-so–there’s-no-reason-to-change message has resonated throughout the world. But Jesus said that, in the end, few would be in His camp and many would be in Saan’s camp (Mat. 7:13,14; 20:14). Many, He said, are being called to join Him. Few will be chosen because they answered His call. His call normally (99% of the time) is met with distain. And my ministry is directed toward the church. Church people simply hate God’s Words, except “only believe.” What they do not know is that is only the “headline.” His “fine print” tells them what they must do in order to make the headline come to fruition–the other 95% of the Bible.

Relative to God’s Truths versus Satan’s truths and the popularity of each, nothing has changed since the days when Christ and His apostles walked this earth. Recall that He preached to “great multitudes” of people who would bring all of the sick and demon possessed people they knew to Him and He would heal and deliver them. He fed two large groups of people with some bread and a few fish. In one case there were 5000 men, not counting women and children who were fed to the full. On another occasion he fed 4000 people with very little food. In each case there was food left over. He was by far the most popular, most followed, most loved man on the planet.

Masses laid down their garments for the donkey carrying Him to walk on as He approached Jerusalem to begin His ministry. Masses followed Him wherever He went. Question: Where were those masses when He stood before Pilate hearing the crowd yell, “crucify Him, crucify Him.” Where were the “great multitudes” on the Day of Pentecost when only 120 people gathered to honor Him? He did so much for so many and received so little from them. Only His Very Elect saints honor Him and show their love for Him by obeying Him (Jn. 14:15; 15:10/ Mat. 19:17). To them He is every thing; He is all things; He is the only thing. Let us live in such a way that, when people see us, they see Him. Only those who overcome Satan as He overcame Him, who walk through this life as He walked through it will join Him on His throne in the Kingdom of God (Rev. 3:21/ 1 Jn. 2:3-6; 3:1-10). May we all meet there one day. L.J.