Middot U'Mitzvot: Character Qualities and Commandments
Pure Speech


G-d's Torah is the best source of instruction
in character qualities and holy living


Pure Speech

“Keep away from godless babbling…” 2 Timothy 2:16

What do you and your friends like to talk about? The latest video game, TV show, or movie? Sports heroes or comic books? Do these conversations encourage you to be more like Yeshua? The Apostle Paul warns Timothy, and us, to keep away from worthless discussions. Conversations that are not centered on Yeshua or God are godless and therefore worthless and a waste of time. Paul calls it babbling. Babbling is a word that describes nonsense speech – talk that doesn’t make any sense and has no value. As talmidim of Yeshua, our speech is to be pure – focused on Messiah and focused on His Word. If our speech is not glorifying Yeshua, then it is gibberish. If what we are talking about is not something we would talk about with Yeshua, then we ought to not be talking about it all. How can you help one another, in your conversations, to have pure speech and stay focused on Messiah?

Pleasing God Not Man

“Nevertheless, many of the leaders did trust in him; but because of the Pharisees they did not say so openly, out of fear of being banned from the synagogue; for they loved praise from other people more than praise from God.” John 12:42-43

Have you ever made a decision out of fear of what your friends might think even when you knew what you were doing would be displeasing to God? It’s hard to be a follower of Yeshua – sometimes we have to risk our reputation or our friendships to do the right thing. And, even though it is hard, we should be more concerned about what God thinks and about what Yeshua thinks of our decisions and our behavior than what our friends think. When all is said and done, the only thing that really matters is if we have done what is pleasing to God. Think about it. Yeshua is the only one who has the power to make us children of God. He gave everything that we might be a part of God’s family. By walking a way that is pleasing to Him, you can be an example to your friends of what true friendship is. Instead of stooping down to where they are at – raise your friends up to the level of Torah and show them who Yeshua is!

Chosen By God - Totally His

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I separated you for myself.” Jeremiah 1:5

Did you know that God knew you even before you were born? That He chose you as one of His own even before you existed as a tiny, little embryo in your mother’s womb? Isn’t that amazing?!? God loves you so much and He wants only the best for you. You were put on this earth for a specific purpose and God has a plan for your life – He has a job for you to do – a job that you, and you alone, were called to do. He has separated you for Himself and all you have to do is grab hold of Messiah Yeshua. Choose Him over the ways of this world. Choose God over man. Choose the love of God over fame or fortune or whatever else the world may try to offer. Walk in the Word and in the promises of God – become totally His – and He will guide you in all that you say and do. You are a child of God – chosen and loved by Him. Take a moment to say “thanks” and rejoice and be glad in Him!

Pressing On - Determination

“…forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal…” Philippians 3:13-14

Motivation and determination. Commitment and perseverance. These are important qualities for believers to have. We must keep our eyes on the prize, so to speak. We must keep our eyes on Yeshua and His call upon our lives. We cannot allow past hurts or regrets or injustices to weigh us down. Let go of all that baggage and give it to Yeshua. Rise up in Messiah’s love and press on into the wonderful plan that He has for your life. Keep studying, keep praying, keep trusting, and keep sharing Him with others. Even when you’re tired, even when nobody seems to be listening, even when nothing seems to make sense – keep on keepin’ on in Yeshua. Be determined in your walk with Messiah. Don’t give up, because Yeshua did not and will not ever give up on you!

Kehilat Sar Shalom

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