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Smooth Things
MP3
What are smooth things? Are smooth things from the
Bible? Are they nice sounding paraphrases of Bible verses we see in
countless Points to Ponder? Just what are smooth things? What is
Protestantism? Are the things we see in Points to Ponder actually
Protestantism? Are we precluded from posting a specific Points to
Ponder because a Protestant church has done so?
Smooth Things
Let us look first at the key verse where we see the
phrase, “smooth things.”
Isaiah 30:8-10
8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that
it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will
not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not
unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
Let us look at the meaning of, “smooth things.”
OT:2513
chelqah (khel-kaw'; feminine of OT:2506; properly, smoothness;
figuratively, flattery; also an allotment:
KJV - field, flattering (-ry), ground, parcel, part, piece of land
[ground], plat, portion, slippery place, smooth (thing). –(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary)
As you will see shortly, the meaning of, “smooth things” in Isaiah 30:10
is flattery and deceit, meaning things that are not true and utterances
that cannot be confirmed nor supported by the Word of God.
Let us now look at verses related to Isaiah 30:10 and “smooth things.”
Jeremiah 23:26-29
26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy
lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams
which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have
forgotten my name for Baal.
28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath
my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the
wheat? saith the LORD.
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that
breaketh the rock in pieces?
Notice, these lying prophets are proclaiming lies from the deceit of
their own hearts. They are causing to make people forget the name and
Word of God. Do we see any indication here that Points to Ponder or
paraphrasing of biblical principles are being spoken of here? Surely
one does not make God’s people forget His name by paraphrasing the Word
of God, such as we see in various points to ponder? Let us now go to
the book of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 13:7-10
7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying
divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and
seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that
divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither
shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither
shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am
the Lord GOD.
10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and
there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it
with untempered morter:
Notice: What is indicated here is pure lie. These are utterances in one
hundred percent opposition to the Word of God and which fail to express
its concepts in any way. Notice some New Testament scriptures.
John 8:45
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Galatians 4:16
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Here we see what “smooth things” do to some minds. They are so
convinced with the lies that they do not recognize truth when they see
it. Both Jesus and Paul became enemies of those deceived by deceit.
Notice one more verse…
Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple.
What is meant here by “good words” and “fair speeches”? Notice the
commentary…
Romans 16:18
[And by good words]
Mild, fair, plausible speeches; with an appearance of great sincerity,
and regard for the truth; compare Col 2:4[And
this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words].;
2 Peter 3:3 [Knowing this first, that
there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts]. People who cause divisions commonly make great
pretensions to peculiar love of truth and orthodoxy; and put on the
appearance of great sincerity, sanctity, and humility.
[And fair speeches]
Greek eulogias (NT:2129), eulogy, praise, flattery. This is another very
common art. "Flattery" is one of the most powerful means of forming
parties in the church; and "a little special attention," or promise of
an office, or commendation for talents or acquirements, will secure
"many" to the purposes of party whom no regard for truth or orthodoxy
could influence a moment. –(from Barnes' Notes)
Is the paraphrasing of biblical verses and principles designed to cause
division? Do they promise offices to people in the Church of God with
hopes of drawing them away? Do Points to Ponder demonstrate a lack of
regard for truth or doctrine of the very Church of God? Hardly!
Smooth things are pure lies and deceit coming out of the bellies of
those seeking to destroy both the church and the congregation. These
individuals carry out their work with private meetings and
communications. They use drama in intrigue. They bring to the
congregation idea babies and false doctrines and often have an agenda.
What is Protestantism?
One or two individuals in recent months have wondered
whether Points to Ponder are actually Protestantism in disguise. Is
this true? Let us first see the definition of Protestantism:
1. the religion of Protestants.
2. the Protestant churches collectively.
3. adherence to Protestant principles.
We know that most Protestant churches have doctrines much different than
ours. At the same time, any church, group or individual can embrace a
biblical concept or principle. Because of man having free choice and
because Godly principles exist on earth, any can be embraced. If a
Protestant church embraces the Godly concepts of Love or Faith, this
does not make them a part of Protestantism. They remain Godly
principles. Conversely, if a Protestant church posts a specific Points
to Ponder, authored by third and often unknown parties, it does not make
it a Protestant Points to Ponder any more than their posting of the Ten
Commandments makes the Law of God a part of Protestantism.
What Makes for a Good Points to Ponder?
1] It must be uplifting.
2] It must be biblically sound.
3] It must reflect truth.
Let us look at just one example, actually one line from a recently
posted Point to Ponder.
1] God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
Kind of a play on words to be sure, but there is great and foundational
truth here even for the Church of God. Believe I could give a two-part
and very serious sermon on this one line alone. The first phrase, "God
wants spiritual fruit." is a given.
John 15:2-8
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every
branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more
fruit.
3
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered;
and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.
8
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be
my disciples.
2
Peter 1:2-8
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord,
3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called
us to glory and virtue:
4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge;
6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness;
7
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
So the first part, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much
fruit." is very serious and very clear. It is essential to the
Salvation Process. It is a lifetime process and this process is hard
rather than smooth.
Now the second part about God not needing religious nuts or fools.
Clearly the second phrase is a counter or opposite state from the
first. Surely we have had religious nuts within the congregation from
time to time. I talk about those obsessed with religious twigs and idea
babies. See Menu items 25 and 26
here:
Notice what God says about religious nuts:
Titus 3:10-11
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition
reject;
11
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned
of himself.
Mark 7:9
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that
ye may keep your own tradition.
1
Thessalonians 5:14
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
Titus 1:10-11
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially
they of the circumcision:
11
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things
which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
1
Timothy 1:4
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister
questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1
Timothy 6:3-5
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even
the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness;
4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the
truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
As you can see, the point is well established in the Bible for both
phrases. The point reflects truth founded in the Word of God. It is
not secular or of Protestantism.
To recap the key points of this discussion:
1] Smooth things are founded in lies and deceit and not the Word of God.
2] Protestantism is defined as doctrine and beliefs they authored.
3] Points to Ponder are designed to reflect Godly principles and truths.
4] Points to Ponder are acceptable if they are uplifting, biblically
sound and reflect truth.
5] Unless a Point to Ponder piece is authored and copyrighted by a
specific Protestant church or other religion, it does not belong to them
or their unique belief system.
6] We are not precluded from posting a Points to Ponder piece just
because some third party organization has done so.
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