Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Summer 2007                                                            Volume 8,  Issue 3

Tower of Babel (continued from page 4)

Obviously so! Look at how frustrated these men of Babel became when they couldn’t communicate—they pulled up stakes and decided to keep on moving. When God has given us the ability to speak, we need to always be sure that our speech is above reproach and a blessing to those who hear us (1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 4:6).

5. No matter how ‘big’ men’s projects are to them, they are small and insignificant to God (Deffinbaugh). Was Jehovah unaware of what these men were doing because verse 5 says that He came down to see the city and tower they had built? No. He knew all along what they were doing; but Moses uses a bit of satire (i.e. ridicule used to expose folly) to express this point: These men were so impressed with their tower—it was huge and would be doted over by men for generations to come they thought, but to God it was so small that He had to ‘come down’ to even see it. I am reminded of Psalms 127:1 here. All their work on the city and tower did them no good, for they ended up moving away from there anyway.

6. The desire to ‘make a name for ourselves’ must never override our desire to please God (Ibid). There is nothing wrong with wanting to be remembered. I think we can all appreciate the fact that when someone notices us, it makes us feel good. However, when we start to love that feeling we get from other people’s recognition more than we love that feeling we get from having God’s approval, then it becomes wrong.

7. Men’s intentions are curbed by God (Ibid). Jehovah’s will is not going to be thwarted (Gal. 6:7). Whatever happens, He is going to have the final say so. We will do well to go ahead and get that lesson down in our mind; because the sooner we learn that, the sooner we will bring our will into harmony with God’s will. God rules in the kingdoms of men (Dan. 5:21), and nothing will happen that is not in accord with His ultimate will.

Works Consulted


Clarke, Adam. Clarke’s Commentary: Vol. 1. New York: Abingdon Press, No date given.

Deffinbaugh, Bob. “The Unity of Unbelief.” Bible.org. 28 August 2006. http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=89>.

Woods, Clyde M. People’s Old Testament Notes: Vol. 1. Henderson, Tennessee: Woods Publications, 1972.


Cutting Okra and... (continued from page 6)

No, error in the church must not be tolerated (Titus 1:10-13). Yes, false teaching and teachers are to be stopped (2 Tim. 2:14-18). Yes, gospel preachers are to be bold (2 Tim. 4:2; 2 Sam. 12:7). But the way to stop a wasp sting is not by verbally “carving up” the entire body (Prov. 18:21), but rather by exposing the infected wound to the healing message of the Great Physician— by administering the Balm of Gilead. Tear down the wasp nest, when possible, and then help the body recover. Teach the truth (1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13). Nurse the wound (2 Tim. 2:24-25; 1 Thess. 2:7); don’t aggravate it further. Only then can the body begin to heal and grow strong (Acts 15:25, 31).

“ ...The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must BE KIND TO EVERYONE, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must GENTLY INSTRUCT… ” (2 Tim. 2:24, 25a NIV; Prov. 10:18b; Gen. 13:8a).

By Mike Benson

“...Speking the truth in love,...”
-Eph. 4:15


Inside...
Page 1 - Elusive Victory | Page 2 - What Do I Say/Do In Time Of Loss?
Page 3 - Prison Report: Hope | Page 4 - Old Testament Studies: The Tower...
Page 5 - The Awesome Reponsibility of... | Page 6 - Cutting Okra and Killing Wasps
Page 7 - Christian Evidences | Page 8 - Why Baptism?
Page 9 - Why Baptism? [Continued] | Page 10 - Continuations
Page 11 - The Weakness of Islam | Page 12 - Advertisements

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