Julia Melatis – Author

I was posting the verse of the day to Pinterest and decided to scroll down to view some of the “more like this” pins. It was the worst list of “more like this” I have ever seen. The verse I posted was from Psalms. I had to scroll down quite a bit to find even one Bible verse and that was from Ephesians. Most of the pins were for Ramadan (wrong God) and paid ads. The remainder were random things and a lot of “worldly wisdom.” I hope this was a fluke and not a new agenda, but I am not writing to pick on Pinterest today.
I am writing today because maybe Pinterest is as confused as many people, unbelievers and believers alike. I all too often find believers posting tidbits of “worldly wisdom” on their social media accounts. It sounds good, so they post or re-post from someone else in hopes of encouraging others. If viewed from a worldly point of view, they certainly seem to make sense.
Let’s take a look at four examples I pulled from the selection given to me by Pinterest. We will be viewing them through the “looking glass” of the Bible. As a believer everything needs to be put under the microscope of God’s Word before I make it part of me.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 ESV

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs 14:15 ESV

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3 NLT

As a believer I cannot allow myself to be swayed by the teachings of people just because it sounds good to my ears. The responsibility is just too great, because I will be accountable if I lead anyone astray.

1And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
Luke 17:1-2 ESV

Even moreso for those of us God has gifted to be a teacher.

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

James 3:1 ESV

Not that I want to discourage teachers, on the contrary, I want to encourage everyone to be well versed in the Scriptures, so we are prepared to lead in whatever way God uses us.
To some extent all believers are teachers by example and in discipling other believers in their walk. We must all, therefore, be grounded in the Word, so we know that by which we live is truth. We also must be in tune with the Holy Spirit, so we can hear His voice speaking wisdom, direction, and correction throughout our days.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26 BSB

However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

John 16:13 BSB

2if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, 3if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure 5then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. 6For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, 8to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints.

Proverbs 2:2-8 BSB

Anyone who believes in the One true God’s existence knows the Bible is the instruction manual for life written by the Creator Himself.

16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

We are to not only live by the Word, but pass it on to our children and others.
4“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORDyour God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inb the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

This has the slightest bit of truth to it. It is our heart attitude that plays a big part in how we handle what comes our way. It is our choice as to the attitide we choose to have in facing our circumstances. But true contentment and joy in the midst of our circumstances can only be found in Jesus Christ. That heart attitude comes from an abiding relationship with Him as our Savior and Lord.

4″Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5-6 ESV

We must allow the truth of His Word to renew our minds and transform us from the inside out. It is only with complete faith and trust in God and His love and plan for us that we can find that real joy, peace, rest and contentment that the world so desperately craves and seeks in all the wrong places. We can never find it within ourselves alone, in alcohol, drugs, material possessions, wealth, power, other gods, philosophies, or other people.

1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2 BSB

11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13 ESV

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

John 15:11 ESV

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

John 16:24 ESV

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 ESV

1In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
5Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him. 6He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken 7My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God 8Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8 BSB

Now this one almost sounds like it could be straight from the Bible. And it sounds remarkably similar to a quote attributed to St Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” And that leads me to the reason I included this one. Some people do seem to manage to live a “good” life by worldly standards. But if Jesus is not the center of your life, it will all turn to dust in the end. Good character, from a worldly point of view will not preach a message pf eternal value. Our lives must preach the eternal-life-giving message of salvation, repentance, and the good character of follower of Jesus. Our outward actions must match the words we speak. Others don’t care what we have to say until they see who we are.

1Tell believers to live the kind of life that goes along with accurate teachings. 2Tell older men to be sober. Tell them to be men of good character, to use good judgment, and to be well-grounded in faith, love, and endurance.
3Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. 4In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children, 5to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselve under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word.
6Encourage young men to use good judgment. 7Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity. 8Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us.
Titus 2:1-8 GOD’S WORD® Translation

12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 ESV

What good does it do me to be “more me” if there is nothing good in me (without Jesus.)

10As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. 11No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”

Romans 3:10-12 NLT

Instead, I want to be the best representative of Christ I can be. For it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 317 ESV

So do not be quick to speak or post “words of wisdom” when you see or hear them. Look at them through the looking glass of Scripture to find the real truth and wisdom by which to live you life. Share that wisdom with your friends and family. Sharing our faith and love for Jesus, and all He has done for us, should be just as easy as it once was to share gossip.

Blessings and peace,
Julia Melatis

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