Moderator’s Challenge O Be Careful What You Say
REV. DAVID WALKUP Moderator
us through the different senses and parts of the body being used rightly before God. In a sense, it comes across like a child’s version of living Coram Deo. One of the verses is: “O be care- ful little tongue what you say…” By now you are familiar with the moderator’s theme “The Whole Counsel of God” from Acts 20:27. In context, part of Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesian Elders is emphasiz- ing a right handling of God’s word. In his discourse we observe how Paul faithfully proclaimed the word, “I did not shrink from declaring to you any- Paul then warns about false teach- ers both from without and within the church who would be “…speak- ing twisted things, to draw away the also speaks of the blessing of God’s word “…I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are I am reminded of how the proph- ets of old were all warned. Through- out the Old Testament, we hear the prophets of God proclaiming, “Thus says the Lord…”. The statement it- self speaks to whose word it is. This is God speaking. The prophet, com- missioned by God, is relaying God’s
W
e all remember the simple Sunday School song “O Be Careful”. The song takes
message to the people. This commission comes with a high responsibility. Ezekiel, in chapter 3:10-11, is told “…go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.” These words to Ezekiel correspond with Paul’s words to Timothy to preach the Ezekiel. The blood of the wicked will be upon him if God’s word is not rightly handled. Likewise, we remember the words of Paul calling Timothy to be a -
- quote scripture altogether. I often think of Dr. James Montgomery Boice’s edi- torial “On My Mind” in Modern Reformation from the November/December 1998 edition titled “Throw Away Lines”. Dr Boice writes that there are certain sentences or parts of sentences that evangelicals use a lot but should get rid of. There are three such “throw-away lines” that he mentions: “God told me…”, “What this text says to me…”, and “I feel at peace about this”. I might add one more to Dr. Boice’s list, “My God is a god of…”. Here is part of what Dr. Boice says in his article.
“These three lines all have a few things in common. Most obviously, they are all individualistic and self-centered: “God told …”; “What this text says to …”; and “ feel at peace about this.” In this respect they are only Christian versions of - tive norms of Scripture. “God told me” is a claim to revelation apart from scripture. “What this text says to me” is about my own ideas rather than the actual commands - tify a departure from what God has laid down plainly in the Bible. Evangelicals claim to be people of the Book. When they are asked about the nature and inspiration of the Bible, most usually give orthodox answers. Evangelicals are not heretics in theory. But in practice, the Bible is being pushed aside and with it all determine right beliefs and right courses of action. Unbelievers might actually notice our honesty and even be willing to listen to what we have to say.”
Here, Here, Dr. Boice!
Psalm 19 is a beautiful Psalm of David extoling the perfect law of the Lord. I pray this verse to myself every Lord’s Day before I preach. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
“O be careful little tongue what you say!” Acts 20:27 “The Whole Counsel of God” November/December 2025 3
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