Are you aware that where you go to church is a matter of life and death? Do you think that is a shocking statement? Think about it. The scripture tells us that we should take heed what we hear, and that we should take heed how we hear. (Mark 4:24, Luke 8:18) Why did Jesus consider what, and how, we are hearing so important? Because “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) If you study this scripture out in the Greek, you will find that a “concordant literal” rendering of this scripture could be: “Faith comes to you by more than the mere sense of hearing, but by hearing and receiving teaching from the Word of God.” Thus the need for a preacher to teach the Word as Paul speaks of in that same chapter, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) God has chosen the “foolishness” (to the world) method of preaching the Gospel, or the Word of God, as the means to convey faith and understanding of His Word. (1 Corinthians 1:21) In fact, hearing is the entrance to the human spirit. What we hear repeatedly, and continually, becomes what is in our hearts (human spirits) in abundance. You may say, “Well, OK, Brother Bill, let’s say I accept that… why does that have bearing on matters of life and death?” Hang in there! We are about to see it in the scripture!
Take a look at Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” The word translated “treasure” here, can also be translated “deposit”… so what you have “deposited” in your heart, is what you will speak!
I shouldn’t have to tell you the importance of speaking… but in case I do, let’s consider a few examples of scripture:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21
“How forcible are right words!” Job 6:25
“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:37
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:6
Let’s review these scriptures. God has told us that He (God) has put before us a choice; life or death. (Deuteronomy 30:19) He has even given us a strong hint: “Choose Life!” Look at the scripture: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deuteronomy 30:19 How do we choose life? By speaking words! Proverbs 18:21 just said so! Right words are forcible! Unfortunately, so are wrong words. Words of life can heal, and set in motion good things in your life. However, words of death and doubt can kill, and set in motion evil things in your life. Matthew 12:37 reminds us that we are therefore condemned or justified by our words! And, James 3:6, in the Greek speaks of, “setting in motion the cycle of natural events” by the use of our tongue!
So, why do I say that where you go to church is a matter of life and death? Because what you hear, consistently, and regularly at church, is what you will come to believe. And what you believe and is in abundance in your heart, is what you will say out of your mouth. And what you say out of your mouth, and is in your heart in abundance is what will come to pass in your life! Choose wisely where you attend church! Get into a faith teaching, faith believing church and hear the uncompromised Word of Faith message!
