About Name Calling

Bible Study Written by

Pastor Janice L. Williams

MATTHEW 11:18 NLT * FOR JOHN THE BAPTIST DIDN'T DRINK WINE AND HE OFTEN FASTED, AND YOU SAY, 'HE'S DEMON POSSESSED.'  19/ AND I, THE SON OF MAN, FEAST AND DRINK, AND YOU SAY, "HE'S A GLUTTON AND A DRUNKARD, AND A FRIEND OF THE WORST SORT OF SINNERS"! 

BIBLE STUDY FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd-9th, 2009

THE FOLLOWING BIBLE TRANSLATIONS WERE USED FOR THIS BIBLE STUDY:

NLT = NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

KJV = KING JAMES VERSION

SCRIPTURES PRINTED IN RED ARE WORDS SPOKEN BY JESUS. 

LET'S LOOK AT SOME WORD DEFINITIONS FOR THIS BIBLE STUDY

• Beelzebub -  devil: the Devil, or one of the chief devils in hell - literally "Lord of Flies,"  a Philistine god.  Sometime referred to as Satan
• revile -  1. attack somebody or something verbally: to make a fierce or abusive verbal attack on somebody or something  2. use abusive language: to use insulting or abusive language 
• publicans -  tax collectors in Jesus time who were usually Jews that paid the Romans for the right to collect taxes.  They were hated by other Jews who thought of them as trators to their country and to their religion.
• recompense - pay or reward somebody: to pay another for doing work or for performing a service
•  derogatory - disparaging: expressing a low opinion or negative criticism
• disparaging - contemptuous or disapproving: showing or expressing contempt or disapproval
• shrug off - dismiss something: to reject or disregard something as unimportant
• repentance - feeling of sorrow about wrongdoing: a feeling of regret or contrition for having done something wrong 
  
   

About Name Calling

MATTHEW 5:22 KJV * BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER IS ANGRY WITH HIS BROTHER WITHOUT A CAUSE SHALL BE IN DANGER OF THE JUDGEMENT: AND WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY TO HIS BROTHER, RACA, SHALL BE IN DANGER OF THE COUNCIL: BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY, THOU FOOL, SHALL BE IN DANGER OF HELL FIRE. 

Raca is an Aramaic word of contempt, that means empty one, fool, idiot, or empty head. It is a word that expresses a powerful feeling of dislike toward somebody or something considered to be worthless, inferior, and/or undeserving of respect.  Words such as Nigger, Honky, Cracker, Chinc, Greaseball, Hymie, Spic, Scobe etc. are words comparable to Raca.   Jesus gave strict warning against derogatory name calling.  He stated that anyone who does this would be in danger of going before a council for judgement,

and even in danger of going to hell.

Jesus taught us that when we make a decision to follow Him, unbelievers will call us names, lie on us, and persecute us, just as they did Him. But, we are not to fear those who do such things because their ungodly actions will be exposed and dealt with.  Jesus instructs us to pray and show love and forgiveness to everyone; including enemies who hate us, and especially for those who spitefully use us, and persecute us. 

• Matthew 10:25, 26 KJV - 25/ It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.  If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? 26/ Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be made known.
• Matthew 5:10 thru 12 KJV - 10/ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11/ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12/ Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  
• Matthew 5:43 thru 48 KJV 43/ Ye hath heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  44/ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45/ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46/ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47/ And if ye salute your brethern only, what do ye more than others?  do not even the publicans so?  48/ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  
• Romams 12:17 thru 21 KJV 17/ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18/ if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19/ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD. 20/ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21/ BE NOT OVERCOME OF EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

   When I was a child, if someone called me a name that was hurtful, I was taught to say, "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me". However that isn't always the case. Derogatory name calling is most hurtful, even though the person being called unkind names may shrug off the incident. Jesus teaches us to speak kind, encouraging words to each other. He also tells us how to respond, and how not to respond to others who are cruel to us. He is such a loving, compassionate, Savior, that we can always depend on to comfort us when we're hurting. 

PLEASE REVIEW #8 "DISCIPLINED SPEECH" WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY, WITH PRAYER FOR REPENTANCE & DELIVERANCE FROM NAME CALLING.

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NEXT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9th, 2009

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