Scripture Focus: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” — Revelation 4:11, NIV
In everything we say, support, defend, or believe, we should ask one simple question: Does it exalt Jesus Christ?
If something honors His truth, mercy, justice, humility, and love, then it points people to Him. But if something promotes pride, hate, lies, cruelty, or selfishness, then it does not honor His name, no matter how religious it may sound.
Our Hearts Can Be Deceived
The Bible tells us that the heart can deceive us. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” This means we cannot decide what is right only by how we feel, what benefits us, or what our favorite group says.
We must bring our thoughts, choices, words, and beliefs before God. We must ask, “Does this look like Jesus? Does this honor His Word? Does this show love, truth, mercy, and holiness?”
Jesus Must Be First
Revelation 4:11 reminds us that God is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. He created all things, and everything belongs to Him. Our lives were not made to exalt pride, power, lies, hatred, or selfish ambition. We were created to know God, walk with Him, and bring honor to His name.
Colossians 1:18 says that in all things Christ should have the first place. That means Jesus must be first in our hearts, our homes, our words, our decisions, and our witness before the world.
Do Not Use God’s Name to Cover Wrong
Jesus did not suffer and die so His name could be used to excuse sin. He did not go to the cross so people could hide cruelty, lies, racism, pride, or corruption behind religious words.
Matthew 7:20 says, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” God looks at fruit. He looks at the heart. He looks at truth. Words can sound spiritual, but the fruit shows what is really there.
Christian Values Must Look Like Christ
People often talk about Christian values, but true Christian values must come from the Bible. They include truth, mercy, justice, humility, love for our neighbor, care for the poor, respect for human life, honesty, holiness, and reverence for God.
Micah 6:8 says the Lord requires us to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. These are not just words for church. They should shape how we treat people every day.
Character Matters
Character matters. Truthfulness matters. How people speak, lead, treat others, and handle responsibility matters. A person cannot keep pouring out lies, blaming others, mocking people, and tearing down those made in God’s image while claiming to reflect Christ.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says the Lord hates a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plans evil, and a false witness who speaks lies. Matthew 12:36 says people will give account for every idle word. These scriptures should make us careful about what we say, repeat, defend, and excuse.
Every Person Bears God’s Image
Genesis 1:27 teaches that God made human beings in His image. This means every person should be treated with dignity. We do not have to agree with every action or belief, but we must still speak truth with love and remember that people matter to God.
We cannot honor God while spreading falsehoods, mocking people, or treating others as if they are worthless. First John 4:20 says if a person says they love God but hates their brother, they are not walking in truth.
Use Discernment
Jesus told us to judge righteous judgment in John 7:24. That means we should not judge only by outward appearance, slogans, emotions, or popularity. We must ask if something agrees with the character of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. If something keeps producing fear, hate, pride, confusion, and division, we should stop and ask whether it is truly of God.
Ask the Right Question
Before we defend a person, policy, movement, message, or opinion, we should pause and ask: Does this exalt Jesus Christ? Does it honor the One who died for my sins? Does it reflect the God who is holy, merciful, just, and full of love?
If the answer is no, then we need courage to turn away from it. God is not fooled by religious words. He wants truth in the inward parts. He wants our lives to honor Jesus, not just our lips.
Scripture References
- Revelation 4:11 — God is worthy of glory, honor, and power.
- Jeremiah 17:9 — The heart can deceive us.
- Colossians 1:18 — Christ must have first place in all things.
- Matthew 7:20 — We know people by their fruit.
- Micah 6:8 — God calls us to justice, mercy, and humility.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 — God hates lies, evil, and false witness.
- Matthew 12:36 — We will give account for careless words.
- Genesis 1:27 — Every person is made in God’s image.
- 1 John 4:20 — We cannot claim to love God while hating others.
- John 7:24 — Judge with righteous judgment.
- Galatians 5:22-23 — The fruit of the Spirit shows the work of God.
Reflection
Lord, give me a discerning heart. Keep me from being deceived by appearances, slogans, fear, pride, or selfish desires. Help me honor Jesus in my words, choices, leadership, and treatment of others. Let my life exalt Christ and not dishonor His holy name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Minister A Francine Green, September 2026