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As a Christian allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with the word of God, and the love of God, which can be poured out to others. Allow others to drink from you, as a true vessel of God, holding forth the word of truth. Notice II Timothy 2:20-21, But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. What did Paul mean when he said to purge himself from these? These what? Go back to the preceding verses and see clearly to what he was referring. In verses 15-18 he says, study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman (vessel) need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. He goes on to explain that a certain two, were teaching that the resurrection had already past, overthrowing the faith of some. He called it profane and vain babblings, as in the tower of Babel, which means confusion. They were being led by the same spirits as those in the days of Babylon. Confusion can bring nothing but dishonor in the household of God. It is still happening in the church today. Some teach that healing is not for everyone, but if the Lord will. Healing has passed away, being only for the first disciples of Christ. It must not have been the Lord’s will for that person to be healed, because they died in sickness. They were chosen to honor God in sickness, or saying, speaking in tongues is not for every Christian. Paul says to avoid such non sense, calling them vain babblings. Those who believe and teach these and such like things are vessels of wood and clay. They are clay pots, bringing dishonor to the Lord and His house, over throwing the faith of some. God cannot honor these vessels. They bring dishonor to themselves, by not rightly dividing the word of truth. Vessels of honor have studied to show themselves approved unto God, and teach the truth as it is written. Vessels of honor are prepared unto every good work. The word work means belief. Jesus said, This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom he sent. (John 6:29) A vessel of honor will increase faith in others. Paul sums it up in verse 19, Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Iniquity means, to violate the truth. The iniquity in the case above is teaching things that violate the word of truth. God knows those who teach the truth as vessels of honor. Paul goes on to say that those who know the truth are to in gentleness, patience and meekness instruct, without strife, those who appose themselves, and perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, so they can recover themselves out of the trap of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (Verses 24-26) So, when the local cult comes knocking, be a vessel of honor, prepared unto every good work. Perhaps God will change their hearts through instruction. When someone tells you that healing and tongues are not for everyone, smile and say, “Beloved brother, allow me to show you a more excellent way.” Be led of the Holy Spirit. He will tell you when to speak, and when not to speak. Paul said to be apt to teach. Be taught to teach, not that you can instruct every man. People that teach things violate the word of truth open themselves up to the devil to be taken captive in any way he chooses. This is a dangerous place to be in for both, they who say such things, and for them who receive them. These things may taste sweet in the mouth, but will turn bitter within, and poison the belly. This article is an excerpt from my book, Life From On High. Download it Free at fredfishburne.com.
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