Category Archives: Scripture

Backbiting, Bible, Bitterness, Curses, Scripture, Speech, Tongue

CURSES AND BITTERNESS

ROMANS 3:14

“‘THEIR MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS’”;

Every time I hear the word “bitter” I think about the Old Testament story when the Jewish nation had left Egypt and came to Marah. “When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter; for that reason it was named Marah.” (Exodus 15:23). Of course, that bitterness was due to high mineral and salt content. That is not the reason behind the bitterness we read about today.

Paul quotes in today’s verse from Psalm 10:7. “His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; Under his tongue is harm and injustice.” While Paul does not quote this literally, he does give the general sense of the verse. Enemies of Christ, and therefore our enemies, will curse and spew bitter words against Him and us. We should expect no less and not be surprised when they do.

APPLICATION

People who are living for Jesus will be targets of these people. One commentator suggested that perhaps David in Psalm 10:7 was thinking about the curses that Shimei yelled at him when he was fleeing Absalom. Can you stay calm like David as your enemies hurl all kinds of accusations against you? John McArthur said in a sermon that our enemies are our mission field. How true is that!

“Bitterness” is the Greek word pikria which is only used four times in the New Testament. Ephesians 4:31 says, “All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.” This is not something a believer should have in their lives. Do you think for a second that Christ ever harbored a bitter word or thought? Then we should not either.

In short today, watch your mouth. No curses on others should be spoken which includes wishing someone ill will. Nor should you have bitter words come out of your mouth. Remember that your tongue is Christ’s tongue. He lives in you through the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit control that little muscle in your mouth and you will be so much better off.

Father God, help me today to control my tongue and speak only holy and pure things.

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Bible, Deception, Falsehoods, Poison, Scripture, Tongue

NASTY MOUTHS

ROMANS 3:13

“‘THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,’ ‘THE VENOM OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS’”

I have never seen a grave opened after someone has been in it for a while, but I can imagine the scene and smells. What a disgusting idea. All over our neighborhood people have decorated their yards for Halloween without even thinking about the reality of death. They have skeletons and hands coming up out of the ground. They almost seem to be glorifying death. Listen, the grave is real and it’s a place from which you will not escape, unless…

Paul is quoting in today’s verse from two different Psalms. “Their throat…keep deceiving is from Psalm 5:9 and “the venom…lips” is from Psalm 140:3. The Psalmist was definitely painting an ugly picture about speaking falsehoods and slandering others. It’s meant to make us evaluate our tongues and ensure that we speak truth and good of others.

APPLICATION

My thoughts immediately went to Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” How many times have you heard people at church talking about someone else in a negative way? Of course, we disguise it as a prayer request, lol. We just love putting others down because we think it makes us look better.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to do the same thing. “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.” Every time we speak evil about someone, it’s like taking a hammer and chisel and chipping off pieces of truth in your life. If you are always speaking evil or gossiping, no one will ever believe you if you happen to tell the truth.

Here is another passage in Romans written by Paul, which we will examine more closely later on. Romans 15:1-2 reads, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” If you think you are spiritually strong, then Paul tells you how to speak to your neighbor. Don’t let the tongue spew forth venom, as the Psalmist said. Speak truth in love and build up each other.

Thank You, Lord, for those in my life who speak truth into me and build me up.

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Bible, Corruption, Evil, Goodness, Rejection, Scripture

NO ONE DOES GOOD

ROMANS 3:12

“THEY HAVE ALL TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME CORRUPT; THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

No truer statement could be said about our society today than this verse. People had just as soon shoot you as greet you. In some of our cities people are dying every week from gang violence or random shootings. This week three police officers were killed during a domestic disturbance. No one seems to be doing good. In fact, it’s just the opposite. They all seem to be doing bad.

Paul uses a word for “does good” that is a very common verb. It’s used over 600 times. But the important part of this particular usage is the tense of the verb. This is a Present Participle Active. What does that mean? It means it’s a continual practice among these people. Their lifestyle, described in the previous two phrases of the verse, tells it all. “They have all turned aside” and “they have become corrupt.” Because of this they are incapable of practicing good.

APPLICATION

Let’s look at what causes their lack of doing good. Paul says, “they have all turned aside.” The meaning of this is to deliberately avoid something or reject something. It’s not just an oversight. These individuals have made a choice to shun God, and one result is the inability to practice good. Sure, they may do a good thing occasionally, but as a lifestyle it is not in their thoughts. The word here is only used two other locations (Romans 16:17 and 1 Peter 3:11)

They are also corrupt. It’s funny that this word means “spoiled.” Have you ever taken a big swig of milk that has turned sour. Yuk! Gross! That’s the idea here. They are useless. What do you do with spoiled milk? You discard it. It’s good for nothing. That Greek word is only used here in Romans 3:12.

Are you doing good? Are you practicing good? Or are you a defiant, sour person? The choice is yours. You have to turn towards Christ and keep yourself fresh in His Word. Then you can live a life doing good for Him and others. Will you do that today?

Father God, cleanse me and purify my motives so that I am looking for ways to serve You and others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, God's Will, Grounded, Scripture, Seeking, Understanding

SEEK AND UNDERSTAND

ROMANS 3:11

“THERE IS NO ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NO ONE WHO SEEKS OUT GOD;”

When I read today’s verse (which comes from Psalm 14:2), I immediately thought of Matthew 7:7-8 which says, “‘7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.’” People don’t understand God because they are not seeking Him. God simply doesn’t disclose His precious truths to people who aren’t even looking for Him.

Paul continues his Old Testament quotations in today’s verse by continuing in Psalm 14. You really can use the Bible to explain the Bible. I was once told that the Bible is the best commentary on the Bible. The more I study the Scriptures, the more I agree. As you dig deep, more and more hidden gems of truth are revealed. Verses I read for decades with no understanding suddenly come alive. That’s what Paul is pointing us toward.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “understands” is syniēmi which “expresses the action of ‘setting together’ thoughts so that genuine comprehension is reached. In the New Testament it consistently portrays a level of perception deeper than mere information-gathering; it is spiritual insight granted or withheld by God and verified by obedient response.” (Topical Lexicon). It is not just discerning what God is saying. It is also about doing His will.

Ekzētéō is the Greek word used for “seeks out.” HELPS Word studies says it “emphasizes the personal intent of the seeker, i.e. the outcome intensely and personally desired by the seeker. This seeking is only as valuable (viable) as the motive which drives it.” Hmmm! What is your motive in seeking? Is it to make yourself more knowledgeable or is it to live His will?

I urge you, my friends, to take the time to understand and seek after God. Be driven to do His will, not your own or someone else’s. When we are living daily to do His will, He will continue to lead, guide and protect us. His will is perfect. Why can’t we trust it?

O Lord, help me to trust Your will, to understand and seek You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Jesus, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture, Unrighteousness

NONE ARE RIGHTEOUS

ROMANS 3:10

 “as it is written: ‘THERE IS NO RIGHTEOUS PERSON, NOT EVEN ONE;…’”

We begin with today’s verse a series of quotations from the Old Testament from which Paul is pointing out that Jews are just as guilty as the Gentiles. These passages seem to be taken from the Septuagint (LXX) which is the Greek Old Testament. Meyer’s NT Commentary says, “The arrangement is such that testimony is adduced for—1st, the state of sin generally (Romans 3:10-12); 2nd, the practice of sin in word (Romans 3:13-14) and deed (Romans 3:15-17); and 3rd, the sinful source of the whole (Romans 3:18).” Let’s jump into it.

Paul is quoting Psalm 14:1-3 which he continues in 3:11-12. Psalm 14:1-3 reads, “1 The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good. 2 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, together they are corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” We’ll break these down over the next couple of days.

APPLICATION

How does this quotation from Psalm 143 apply to us? Well, we are just as unrighteous outside of Christ. It seems I hear more and more people denying God or worse yet, blaspheming our holy God. David says it clearly, they are a “fool” who says there is no God. As a follower of Christ, I can give you time after time where God has proved Himself to me. But you have to be looking.

You see, the Jews thought just because they were Jews, they were okay. I have met several Jews who had no spiritual life at all. They were Jewish by blood, but they did not practice their faith. They will call on “Hashem” when they want something or in desperation, but the idea of a daily walk with Jehovah is foreign to them.

We are told in today’s verse that “not even one” person is righteous. The Greek oude is translated as “not even” which is used to expound on the statement before it, “There is no righteous person.” In other words, absolutely no one, nada. That “no one” includes me and you. But thanks be to God that He imputed the righteousness of Christ on us at salvation. Praise Him today!

Lord, I give You praise that You have made me righteous, not according to anything I have done but solely through the righteousness of Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Conceit, Eternity, Pride, Scripture, Superior

I’M BETTER THAN YOU

ROMANS 3:9

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;”

Don’t you just avoid snobby people? People who think they are better than everyone else can rub you the wrong way. You’ve heard it expressed that they are “looking down their nose” at everyone. Literally, that means they are tilting their head back and raising their chin in physical posture of superiority. The problem with tilting your head back like that is if you get caught in a rainstorm, you can drown, lol.

Paul uses the middle voice of the Greek word proechó, which is only used here in today’s verse. It means “to hold oneself before others.” (Strong’s). Paul never asks a question to which he did not have the answer. He has been discussing the differences between Gentiles and Jews the past two chapters. He knows that both groups have their own sense of superiority over the other, but the truth is neither was superior. Both were doomed for eternal destruction unless they responded to the Lord.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says, “The apostle’s rhetorical question refutes the idea that covenant possession or moral striving places anyone closer to justification apart from faith in Jesus Christ.” In Proverbs 6:17 we are told the Lord hates “haughty eyes.” He hates those who think they are better than others. Now, when I say He hates them, I mean He hates their heart attitude. Of course, He loves them and wants them to come to Him, but He will not tolerate their outlandish attitudes.

The attitude of the Gentiles and Jews still exists today, even in our churches. The Baptists think they are better because of their doctrinal stance on eternal security. The Catholics believe they have the true church. The Church of Christ would argue their church is THE church. One day, when we arrive in heaven, we are going to be surprised at who we find and don’t find there.

How’s your heart attitude today towards others? Are you sitting in judgment over them? Or have you humbled yourself to the point that these issues don’t matter? God needs humbled servants who are willing to do whatever He asks. He may ask you to serve someone you think is unreachable. Remember, you are just the vessel.

Father God, mold and remold me into the vessel You can use to reach whomever You send my way.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Condemnation, Confession, Deserved, Justice, Justified, Scripture, Sin

DESERVED CONDEMNATION

ROMANS 3:8

“And why not say (just as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), ‘Let’s do evil that good may come of it?’ Their condemnation is deserved.”

Man, these past few verses have been a tough grind. You have to back up and reread verses 1-7 of chapter 3. Context is always key. For instance, in today’s verse, if you just took out the phrase “Let’s do evil that good may come of it” you would totally pervert what Paul is teaching here. You have to look at the whole picture.

Then Paul says that those who pervert the truth he and others have been teaching are worthy of condemnation. The word for “condemnation” is kríma which, according to HELPS Word studies, is “(‘the results of a judgment’) dramatically links cause-to-effect. Indeed, every decision (action) we make carries inevitable eternal results.” We have to remember that. Our choices have consequences – every time. It could be a good one or a bad one.

APPLICATION

Paul goes so far as to say, “their condemnation is deserved.” Endikos is the Greek word translated here as “deserved.” Some translations say “just.” That’s probably a closer definition. It’s only used one other time in the New Testament in Hebrews 2:2 (I’m adding 3b to give a fuller context). “2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

I quote Psalm 51:1-4 most mornings as I pray. Verse 4 carries the same idea Paul is writing here in Romans 3:8. David wrote in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” God has the right to judge our sin because He is the antithesis of sin. He is holy and righteous!

Ask yourself today if there is a sin in your life which you have become comfortable with. I can think of something right now in my life. As I write this, I am confessing it as sin and asking the Lord to cleanse me. I don’t want anything to come between the Lord and myself. I pray the same for you.

Forgive me, Lord, for taking salvation for granted and not continuing to stay “confessed up.”

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blood, Eternity, Forgiveness, Judging, Judgment, Scripture, Sin

WE WILL ALL BE JUDGED

ROMANS 3:7

“But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?”

In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Queen Gertrude in speaking to the Player Queen says, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” The phrase refers to someone’s excessively strong or insincere denial of something, leading others to suspect they might be guilty or hiding something. That phrase popped into my head when I read today’s verse.

Paul is kind of playing the devil’s advocate here and throwing out another ridiculous question. Can our sins ever cause God’s glory to become greater? Paul isn’t insinuating that. He is really showing the folly of such thinking. But he knows that people want to rationalize their sinful decisions. After all, why should we be judged, right? Because we are sinful creatures in need of Savior.

APPLICATION

God’s glory is not enhanced by our sin. His glory is shown by how He responds to this sin by demanding adherence to His commands. You’ve heard it said that God’s ten commandments are not His ten suggestions. They are meant to be followed. When we choose to not follow them, we are subject to the punishment that will follow, sooner or later.

Why Carl, I’ve been a sinner all my life and God hasn’t stricken me dead yet. That’s right, not yet. But we know that our sins will find us out. We will be held liable for those sins at some point. We see people all around us who seemingly get away with all kinds of sinful behavior. They may not ever face the consequences this side of eternity, but their day is coming. Rest assured, God will not be mocked.

As I write this devotional blog today, the world has been rocked by yet another senseless murder. The man killed loved Jesus and will be seen as a martyr for Christ. Even his last few words were giving testimony to the work Christ had done. And then…the bullet came that took his life. We scream for justice. We scream for retribution. But Christ died for the very man who took Charlie Kirk’s life. Charlie would have been the first to share Jesus with him, if he had only asked. And if by chance this young man turns to Jesus before his death, Charlie will be there to welcome him into heaven.

Sins left unconfessed and uncovered by the blood of Christ will cost you everything. You will lose an eternity with God. But if you confess and turn to Him, all is forgiven, no matter the gravity of the sin. Have you done that?

O Lord, forgive us for judging others when we have no right to do so. You are the one who is worthy to judge all mankind.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Forgiveness, Jesus, Judging, Judgment, Salvation, Scripture

ONLY ONE JUDGE

ROMANS 3:6

“Far from it! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?”

There are only a few absolutes in this world. One is “There is a God,” and another is “You’re not Him.” You may have heard that before. In this day of more and more “graying,” people refuse the black and white decisions. You tend to justify just about anything. We blame criminal behavior on poverty or skin color. We excuse anti-authority behavior on the zeal of youth. Sorry, my friend. Our world is a world of absolutes.

There was never any question in Paul’s mind about who would judge the world. Of course, God would. He was the only judge who had that right. Albert Barnes makes these comments about this verse. “It may be remarked, however, that God will judge offences, not from what he may do in overruling them, but from the nature of the crime itself. The question is not, what good God may bring out of it, but what does the crime itself deserve? what is the character of the offender? what was his intention?”

You see, our choices do have consequences, quite often eternal ones.

APPLICATION

The concept of God’s right to judge mankind is written throughout Scripture. In Genesis 18:25b we read, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” If God is anything, He is a just judge. He rules every action equally. You may have heard it explained this way. God looks down on our sin as you might look down on a large city from above. From a great height it is not possible to tell which building is the tallest. All you see are the rooftops. God sees our sins that way. In His eyes sin is sin. All sin must be judged.

In Ecclesiastes 12:14 we are told, “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” Same truth! Every act will be brought to judgment. And in

Ecclesiastes 11:9c Solomon gets more direct. “Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.” There is no escaping God’s judgment for our sins unless…

The Great Judge provided the way of escape. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for all our sin. God judged His Son on that cross, demanding holy blood be spilled to cover us for eternity. God does have the right to judge, but He also loves us enough to give us a way out. Have you chosen that gift? Judgment will come. If you are in the family of God through Jesus, your judgment has been settled.

Father, thank You for being the only Judge Who can judge mankind and thank You for providing a way of escape.


If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Confession, Righteousness, Scripture, Testimony, Unrighteousness

OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS

ROMANS 3:5

“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking from a human viewpoint.)”

We will never fully understand the righteousness of God this side of eternity. How can a God, a righteous God put up with our unrighteousness? Well, He can’t. The question posed by Paul in today’s verse is really meant to show us the folly of this kind of thinking. Paul even admits he is talking from a human viewpoint.

The thought that Paul is throwing out here is this. If our sins give God the opportunity to show His righteousness, how can He punish our sin? That is obviously what Paul was hearing from some. Yea, I sin, but God still loves me and it gives Him the chance to forgive me. How stupid! God can never condone sin, nor can He overlook it. Sin requires confession and repentance. God can only be righteous.

APPLICATION

This is a difficult verse. We know as followers of Christ that our sin has to be confessed. We know that God demands repentance in order to bestow forgiveness. But this verse, taken by itself, might seem to imply that our sins give God more opportunities to show His righteousness. The second question in this verse is one we all would agree to. “The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he?” Of course, that answer is NO.

 I am thinking of 1 John 1:9-10. “9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” You see His righteous acts toward us follow our confession. Don’t ever be confused by that. Unrighteousness + confession = righteousness.

Our goal should be to not sin. We should not be sinning and excusing our behaviors. We will see Romans 6:1 later, but it fits so well with today’s verse. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” Paul goes on in 6:2 to say, “May it never be!” That should be our attitude towards sin. May it never be!

Lord, sometimes difficult verses have simple meanings. Thank You for forgiving our confessed sins.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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