The Bible Prayer Line – Bible Lesson
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Bible Lesson: Marks Of Godly Character Versus Marks Of Non-Christian Character: Fair mindedness Versus Deceitfulness.
Bible Texts:
Fair mindedness:
Romans 12:3 NLT
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
Romans 13:7 NLT
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Deceitfulness/ Suspicion::
I Samuel 18:8-11 NLT
8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!”
9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
10 The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand,
11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.
Jeremiah 9:5 NLT
They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells The Truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.
The Word, Fair mindedness:
Exodus 23:2,3,6 NLT
2 “You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.
3 And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.
6 “In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor.
Leviticus 19:15,33,34 NLT
15 “Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
33 “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land.
34 Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am The Lord your God.
Numbers 23:19 KJV
God is not a man, that He should lie; neither The Son Of Man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?
Psalm 9:7,8 NLT
7 But The Lord reigns forever executing judgment from His throne.
8 He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.
Psalm 37:27-29 KJV
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For The Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Psalm 5o:6 NLT
Then let the heavens proclaim His justice, for God Himself will be The Judge.
Psalm 67:4 NLT
Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.
Psalm 99:4 NLT
Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel.
Psalm 106:3 KJV
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Psalm 112:5 NLT
Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Proverbs 8:20 NLT
I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.
Proverbs 16:8,11 NLT
8 Better to have little, with Godliness, than to be rich and dishonest
11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; He sets the standards for fairness.
Proverbs 17:15 NLT
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to The Lord.
Proverbs 21:3 NLT
The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer Him sacrifices.
Proverbs 22:16 KJV
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Proverbs 29:7,14 NLT
7 The Godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all.
14 If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever.
Proverbs 31:9 KJV
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Ecclesiastes 3:16,17 NLT (The Injustices of Life)
16 I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!
17 I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT
I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.
Isaiah 1:17 NLT
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 11:5 NLT
He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
Isaiah 30:18 KJV
And therefore will The Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for The Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him.
Isaiah 33:15-17 NLT
15 Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
16 these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.
17 Your eyes will see The King in all His splendor, and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.
Hosea 12:6 KJV
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.
Micah 6:8 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth The Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Zechariah 7:8-10 NLT
8 Then this message came to Zechariah from The Lord:
9 “This is what The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.
10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
Matthew 7:12 NLT
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in The Law and The Prophets.
Matthew 20:16 KJV
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mark 12:28-31 NLT (The Most Important Commandment)
28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.
30 And you must love The Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Luke 16:10 KJV
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
John 3:16,17 KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have Life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Acts 10:34,35 KJV
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation He that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.
Acts 17:10,11 KJV
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received The Word with all readiness of mind, and searched The Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Romans 2:11 KJV
For there is no respect of persons with God.
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but The Gift Of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 10:12 KJV
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.
Galatians 3:28 NLT
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:2,3 NLT
2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Colossians 3:23 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to The Lord, and not unto men;
I Thessalonians 1:6 NLT
So you received The Message with joy from The Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and The Lord.
Hebrews 6:10 KJV
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
James 2:1-5,8,9 NLT
1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.
3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well,
4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey The Royal Law as found in The Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
James 3:17 NLT
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 5:4 NLT
For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies.
I Peter 3:8,18 NLT
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in The Spirit
Deceitfulness/ Suspicion:
I Samuel 16:7 KJV
But The Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but The Lord looketh on the heart.
Proverbs 4:20-25 NLT
20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT
16 There are six things The Lord hates— no, seven things He detests:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
Proverbs 12:19,20 NLT
19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
Jeremiah 9:3-5 NLT (Judgment for Disobedience)
3 “My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for The Truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know Me,” says The Lord.
4 “Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend.
5 They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells The Truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.
Jeremiah 29:25,26 NLT
25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting The Lord means safety.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from The Lord.
Matthew 7:16-20 KJV
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 10:16 KJV
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Matthew 13:55-57 KJV
55 Is not this the carpenter's Son? is not His mother called Mary? and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this Man all these things?
57 And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said unto them, A Prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
John 1:11,46-48 KJV
11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
46 And Nathanael said unto Him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto Him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
John 2:24,25 KJV
24 But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man.
John 3:17-19 KJV
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil.
John 7:17-19,24-28 NLT
17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether My teaching is from God or is merely My own.
18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill Me.”
24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” Is Jesus The Messiah?
25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this The Man they are trying to kill?
26 But here He is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to Him. Could our leaders possibly believe that He is The Messiah?
27 But how could He be? For we know where this Man comes from. When The Messiah comes, He will simply appear; no one will know where He comes from.”
28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He called out, “Yes, you know Me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on My own. The One who sent Me is true, and you don’t know Him
Acts 7:51,52 NLT
51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to The Truth. Must you forever resist The Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!
52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of The Righteous One—The Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.
Galatians 1:9-11 NLT
9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
(Paul’s Message Comes from Christ)
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that The Gospel Message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning.
I Timothy 6:3-5 NLT
3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of The Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a Godly life.
4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.
5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on The Truth. To them, a show of Godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
James 1:6-8 KJV
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of The Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
I Peter 4:3-5 NLT
3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.
5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead.
I John 3:6-8 KJV
6 Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose The Son Of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Prayer:
Psalm 7:11 NLT
God is an Honest Judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
