Whom Do You Quote?

Whom Do You Quote?

People usually quote reliable sources such as someone in whom they have confidence and look up to. Therefore it is ironic, mildly put, when God’s children quote Satan, as is so often done by saying something like this: “And then Satan says this, and then he says that.”

Never repeat what he says, for it is all untrustworthy and in every single case invalid.

This also applies to what ungodly people say. Do not repeat it, for it is unreliable and invalid, and is therefore of no interest whatsoever. It is a waste of time and effort and utter foolishness to repeat such things apart from using them for the purpose of enlightenment and teaching. It is absolutely of no importance to us what all these people say and think, except when it applies to our earthly work at our place of employment.

Rather be more diligent to quote God’s Word all the more often: It is written, and it is written again and again. Quote the words of Christ and the apostles’ and the prophets’ words at length. You can quote the people in whom you have reason to have full confidence. You can safely go by Sirach’s words when it concerns all the others: “Do not repeat what another person has said.”

As far as that goes, this also includes the sinful and unreliable things that converted people (unfortunately) may have said—things they ought not to have said. Of what interest should that be to us? All of it is invalid! It neither decides nor makes a difference to anything at all. It belongs only on the junk pile! Do not let it into your heart! Do not pay attention to it, not even as much as half a second.

What the Lord says and does is important, not what Satan and sinners say. Blessed is everyone who has learned this simple lesson.

The background for all our words ought to be: “Thus says the Lord!” What He says decides everything! That is something we can build on when it concerns ourselves and others! It is reliable! It is a rock-solid foundation!