Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“Mortal, I have made you a sentinel [a watchman who warns of approaching dangers] for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and you give them no warning, or speak to warn the wicked from their wicked way, in order to save their life, those wicked persons shall die for their iniquity; but their blood I will require at your hand [failure to utter the warning may result in their rushing headlong to destruction, hence their blood will be required at the watchman’s hand. God depends upon the co-operation of human beings in His work of salvation]. But if you warn the wicked, and they do not turn from their wickedness, or from their wicked way, they shall die for their iniquity; but you will have saved your life” (Ezek 3:17-19).

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day or night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silent” (Isa 62:6, KJV).

“Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2).

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that every one who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work [as Christ’s followers we can not afford to be over sensitive or resistant to things we need to see, know, and act upon. Nor can we afford to be biased, closed-minded or comfortable]” (2 Tim 3:16,17).

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom…” (Col 3:16).

“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3, NKJV).

“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Phil 2:4).

“ ‘Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment’ ” (John 7:24, ESV).

“…‘If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ ” (John 8:31,32, ESV).

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph 4:15, ESV).

“ ‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault’ ” (Matt 18:15, RSV).

“But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them” (Prov 24:25, NKJV).

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (1 Tim 2:10, KJV).

“Israel’s sentinels [spiritual leaders] are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs that cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving slumber [are asleep at their posts. Unaware of danger they fail to sound a warning]” (Isa 56:10).

Who's Fooling Who?

Pointing out error, generally doesn't go down well,
But seldom has it ever with those ones we need to tell.
However, just as troubling, is that those who wrong condemn,
Some say are just reflecting something wrong that’s within them.

Now, where would that place Jesus, given such a thing were true,
Or even His disciples, who pointed out error too?
What would this make of Scripture, instructing Christians strongly
To be bold in speaking out, should God’s Word be used wrongly?

It's (clearly) just another ploy that the devil’s introduced
To counter opposition to the error that he's produced.
It's all part of a psychology that he's sprinkled with lies;
One that’s convinced so many, due to its religious guise.

Satan doesn't want the truth (that he’s trying hard to hide)
To take root within those hearts where God wants it to reside.
So he makes the one who’s right appear as though they are wrong;
Something that those who speak the truth have suffered all along.

When we discredit others though, who rightly wrong condemn,
It’s something wrong within us, we’re projecting on to them.
And that's the kind of foolish thing some resisting spirits do,
When confronted with something that’s different to their view.

Could it be that things they heard had hit where God intended,
Pointing out the kind of things that they didn't want amended?
Was the source they heard it from then foolishly rejected, 
And the wrong within themselves, upon that source projected?

Such is how we fool ourselves, and then hurt the Christian cause,
While the old devil laughs at us, and gives himself applause.
Trying to convince ourselves that something wrong is right,
Isn’t something we would do if truly walking in God’s light.

Yes, with some, it is the case, that what they’re saying fits them,
But rightful pointing out of wrong, we should never condemn.
So, don’t treat one as the other, it just aids Satan’s game,
Because, within your thinking, he just wants them seen the same.

Don’t mistake the right in some for wrongs within another,
But seek the light of Scripture that falsehood will uncover.
Keep an eye on what you’re told, and the ones who ought to know,
Lest they be the ones who plant any seeds God would not grow.

 Yes, it's simply a case of addition or subtraction,
For they’re either adding light, or lessening light, by infraction.
Either they’re improving things, or simply making things worse, 
Thus, who you choose to listen to, will bring a blessing or curse.

By Lance Landall


The biblical challenge is not to avoid truth that is controversial, but to speak the truth in love.
The Bible says blessed are the peace makers, not blessed are the peace keepers.