The Anatomy of a Christian: The Mouth

Of all the parts of the human body, perhaps none is
more unique than the mouth.  With it we consume
food and drink for the body’s nourishment and
survival, and with it we verbally communicate the
thoughts of the mind.

Like so many things that were designed for a good
purpose, the mouth (more specifically, the tongue)
can be misused; and what’s worse, it can cause a lot
of unnecessary hurt (if one is not careful).
Concerning this fact, James makes it clear that one
has to control his or her own tongue at all times (Jas.
3:2-12). “But no one can tame the tongue” (v. 8);
rather, it must be bridled (Ps. 39:1).  It does not take
a rocket scientist to know whether or not a person
bridles (restrains) his or her own tongue.  The
evidence is obvious.  Gossip (1 Tim. 5:13), backbiting
(Ps. 15:1-3), slander (Prov. 10:18), lying (Prov. 12:
22), filthy language (Col. 3:8), dirty jokes (Eph. 5:3-
4), etc.; these are the types of things people engage
in when they do not restrain their own tongue.

This is a serious matter; it should not be taken
lightly.  Jesus said, “But I say to you that for every
idle word men may speak, they will give account of it
in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will
be justified, and by your words you will be
condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37).  Yet Peter offers this
encouragement: “He who would love life and see
good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and
his lips from speaking deceit…” (1 Pet. 3:10).

Friends, being that everything we say originates in
the heart (Matt. 12:34), it behooves us to keep our
hearts pure (Prov. 4:23).  Cleanse the inside, and the
outside will be clean also (Matt. 23:25-26).  Do you
get what I’m saying?

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The Anatomy of a Christian: The Ears

As with the eyes, the Bible speaks of the ears in both
a physical and a figurative sense.  I’m sure we are
familiar with the concept of literal/physical hearing
(even so, there is a difference between hearing of a
sound – Act 9:7 and comprehending what that sound
is – cf. 22:9).  Yet the Bible also refers to ears of
desire (Ps. 92:11), of self-perception (cf. Lk. 18:11-
12), and of understanding or enlightenment (cf. Prov.
1:5).

Sometimes the idea of “hearing” is actually a
reference to one receiving or embracing something
said or taught.  For example, Luke 16:29 says,
“…they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear
them.” Well, Moses and those prophets had been
long dead at the time this statement was made; thus
one could not literally “hear” them, but one could
embrace what they taught, which was written down.
When it comes to spiritual matters, what we hear and
how we hear are vitally important (Mk. 4:24; Lk.
8:18).

There are many things one may “hear” that are not
appropriate: such as dirty jokes (Eph. 5:3-5), filthy
language (Col. 3:8), gossip (1 Tim. 5:13), etc.  But
this is not the only concern the Christian should
have.  Paul said, “For the time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their
own desires, because they have itching ears, they
will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will
turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  In fact, many “stop
their ears” against the truth altogether (cf. Acts 7:57).

This is a salvation issue, friends. “He who has ears
to hear, let him hear” (Mk. 4:9).

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The Anatomy of a Christian: The Mind

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the
term “mind” is defined as “the human consciousness
that originates in the brain and is manifested
especially in thought, perception, emotion, will,
memory, and imagination; the faculty of thinking,
reasoning, and applying knowledge.”  The human
mind is regarded as the core of all opinion or
sentiment, desire or inclination, focus of thought, and
attention.  In the Bible the mind is often alluded to
with such terms as “conscience” or “heart.”
Everything we do is dictated by the mind: whether
conscious (as in a premeditated action), or
subconscious (such as scratching a mosquito bite in
your sleep).  The human brain (designed by God our
creator) is so proficient that it records all the senses
of the body: hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and
feeling (touch).

Recognizing these facts, it behooves us to carefully
consider what we subject our minds (hearts) to.  It is
said that one is the product of their environment, and
a tremendous factor in the corruption of a person’s
mind is exposure to evil influence (1 Cor. 15:33).
Such influence can lead to desire (providing
temptation); giving in to temptation is sin, and sin
“brings forth death” (Jas. 1:13-15).  Man has the
ability to freely choose to do good or to do evil (cf.
Gen. 4:7), and both are done from the heart (Rom. 6:
17; Matt. 15:19).  It is no wonder that David said,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10).  Therefore,
friends, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of
it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).  If you will not
apply this wisdom, what are you thinking?

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The Anatomy of the Christian

Have you ever seen an anatomy chart?  Sometimes
you will see one in a doctor’s office.  These charts
reveal the different internal and external parts of the
human body (often explaining each part and how
they function).  The human body is unique in many
ways; yet beyond its physical significance, there is a
spiritual consideration that I believe is worthy of note:
namely, the human body is a perfect similitude for the
Christian’s spiritual existence in Christ.

Concerning members of Christ’s one true church
Paul said, “For as the body is one and has many
members, but all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body, so also is Christ…For in
fact the body is not one member but many.  If the
foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not
of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body?  And if
the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am
not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body?  If the
whole body were an eye, where would be the
hearing?  If the whole were hearing, where would be
the smelling?  But now God has set the members,
each one of them, in the body just as He
pleased…Now you are the body of Christ, and
members individually” (1 Cor. 12:12, 14-18, 27).  To
individual Christians Paul says, “Now may the God of
peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”
(1 Thess. 5:23).

Friends, are you a faithful member of the body of
Christ?  Do you love and serve Him with every fiber
of your being (Mk. 12:30)?  If not, why not?

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Greater than His Birth is His Death

It has been said that Christmas is the biggest “holy
day” of the year; and many celebrate it all around the
world.  Yet, did you know that Christmas is never
mentioned in the Bible?  It is never referred to or
endorsed, nor was it ever practiced.  That’s because
Christmas is a man-made holiday that was introduced
to the world by the traditions of men long after the
time of the New Testament.  In fact, the word
“Christmas” comes from two words: “Christ Mass.”
Though it’s main focus is to celebrate Christ’s birth,
the early church put no major emphasis on it.
Certainly His birth is the most important birth in
human history, and the Bible recorded it, therefore it
is worthy of our consideration.  Yet, neither Jesus
nor  His apostles put any emphasis of worship on His
birth at all, but rather on His death, burial, and
resurrection – as Paul said, we are to “proclaim the
Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).  Let us
worship God, not by man’s traditions, but rather
according to God’s truth.

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