BEWARE OF YOUR “WORDS” & “THOUGHTS”
Your Words and thoughts are heard, weighed and judged in Heaven!
The ears of men and YHWH's ear are on your WORDS and THOUGHTS. The Book of the Covenant not only warn us to mind our “words” and our “thoughts” (motives inclusive); as a matter of expediency, we must beware of our words, thoughts, motives, and actions. Our words not only speak what humans hear, but our thoughts also convey our motives and actions more loudly in the ears of YHWH. ABBA judges words, thoughts, motives and actions – all together. This is the absolute way judgment is established, and righteousness upheld. This is why we are commanded not to judge, but if we must judge, we must judge righteously; else the same way we judge others shall be meted out to us.
Therefore, be careful of your words, thoughts, motives and actions – for they are heard, judged and recorded in Heaven!
David said,
“You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2).
The BOC demands that we should be careful about what we say, because people hear our words; more so, YHWH sees our thoughts and watches in real time – our motives and actions. Here is the truth. YAH hears what no man hears – i.e. our thoughts and motives. He interprets our motives – reasons, causes, purposes, motivations, objects and true intents of our words. All these spring from the heart. No man goes far into the heart to assess words and their intentions. Every silent imagination, thought, and intent of the heart is read and judged righteously by YAH. Every secret motive, every proud reasoning is an open book before Him.
Matthew 9:4 - "But YAHSHUA, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts?”
Hebrews 4:12-13 - "For the Word of YHWH is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
You can fool men with your words, but you can never fool YAH with your thoughts, even motives. He is the judge of the whole universe. He doesn’t only hear; he looks into the heart to read the words, thoughts, intents, and motives behind every single word – and lay it bare.
Boastful and Transgressive Thought
One of the thoughts YAH hears most clearly and hates most deeply is the boastful thought — the pride that says, "My work, my set-apartness, my obedience has earned something before YAH." When a boast deviates from glorying and honouring YAH, the individual is simply sitting on his ego, power, and knowledge to take the place of YHWH. Apostle Shaul’s boast was in elevation of the Name of YHWH; it was to show the power of YAH and what He helped him accomplish. When we express what YAH sends us to achieve in words of exaltation to His sacred Name, and use the moment to adore Him, we are not showcasing pride and arrogance but are simply showing gratitude to our Creator, in whose power whatever we do is accomplished. Everything we do is to bring praise, glory, honour and worship to Him – for these are the reasons He created us as His sons and daughters. All we must ever do and accomplish is by His favour. Always remember our efforts or accomplishments are not by our strength. It’s His alone!
This is why Scripture says:
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of YHWH, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Be careful what you read and believe. The above Ephesian passage concealed ‘obedience to the Word’ as also was hid in Romans 10:9-10 (see below).
Comment: Readers should not lose sight of obedience to the Word of the Father, which comes first before “grace” is accounted to someone. The above passage yanked away obedience to the Word. I make bold to say here that grace without obedience to the Word is like preaching faith without works. It’s common in the New Testament, where faith and grace were emphasised to replace works – obedience to the Word. No obedience, no faith and grace. Period! It’s YHWH through YAHSHUA that offers “faith” as fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). It’s YHWH through YAHSHUA we receive “grace”. For instance, the patriarchs found grace or favour before YAH, e.g. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David. We read in Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of YHWH” (see Gen. 19:19).
Faith and keeping YAH’s Commandments work together.
Many today are happy after being brainwashed that by “faith” alone, without ‘obedience to the Torah (Law)’, they have accomplished the WORK OF SALVATION. We often hear, as they recorded in Romans 10:9-10 and other places in the Bible:
“If you openly declare that Jesus [Yahshua] is Lord [King] and believe in your heart that God [YHWH] raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God [YHWH], and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
Again, the above quotation hides ‘obedience to the Law’ and takes the heart of people away from the BOC absolute truth. What is the truth in the above passage?
(1) The truth is that Yahshua is the true Name of the Saviour, not “Jesus”
(2) The truth is that Yahshua is the true King or Sovereign, not “Lord”
(3) The truth is that we believe in Yahshua with our heart, not in Jesus
(4) The truth is that YHWH the Father raised Yahshua from the dead, not “God”
(5) The truth is that believing (faith) in YAHSHUA and keeping the Torah offers salvation: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of YHWH and the faith of YAHSHUA” (Revelation 14:12, also see Rev. 13:10; Rev. 12:17).
(6) It’s not enough to believe in your heart and be made right with YHWH
(7) It is not enough to openly declare or confess with your mouth and claim to be saved without accomplishing the commandments of the Torah (Law).
The BOC does not contradict itself. Name and title are not the same. Obtain and read our Book, In the Book of Covenant Yahweh Is Not God. Both the Prophets and the Apostles preached the same Word of YHWH that can never change. They told us that YHWH created Gods, and He calls them to worship Him. It must be understood that ABBA gave the Hebrew Yisrayah His Name for their salvation. YHWH is His memorable Name (Exodus 3:15; Hosea 12:5; Psalm 30:4 97:12; 102:12). “YHWH” is the only remembrance Name given to humanity for their salvation – not Elohim, Adonai, God, Lord, Jehovah; and YHWH’s short form – YAH – is bestowed on the Son, YAHSHUA as the salvation Name (Ex. 23:21; Jn. 5:43; see Josh. 5:13-15). The assumed Gentile names are mere titles ascribed to angels, sons of men, renowned men, e.g. kings, judges, parliamentarians (e.g. Lord), etc. They’re not YHWH’s everlasting and sacred Name. The highly elevated, sacred and glorified Name of YHWH cannot be downplayed by mere sinful mortals to please Satan the God and deceiver of the whole world (2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:9; Jn. 8:44).
YHWH issued a serious warning to those who would relegate His Word to the background. In Isaiah 8:20, we read:
“To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word (Law and teachings of the Prophets and Yahshua – testimonies), it is because there is no light in them” (also see Deut. 18:20,22; Micah 3:6-7; Luke 16:29).
The above passage is clear: if anyone shall speak, teach, or write anything outside the Word of the Law and the message of the Prophets and Yahshua, it is because they speak falsehood; there is no truth in them. Whatever anyone must speak or teach must come from the Law of YHWH and His accompanying messages (testimonies); anything short of these is a lie, false, and must be disregarded.
Apostle James admonishes that “faith” alone, without obedience to the Law (i.e. YHWH’s Torah, which is a believer’s work to accomplish) is dead. James queried: ‘if someone says he has faith but does not have works, can faith save him?’ The Apostle argues that faith must accompany works for salvation to take place. Merely believing without works of the Creator cannot profit the believer. James wrote:
“What does it PROFIT, my brethren, if someone says he has FAITH but does not have WORKS? Can faith save him? …Thus, also faith by itself, it does not have works, is dead…Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works… Do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:14-20,26 NKJV, emphasis mine)
Here is a call for repentance to those who claim that “faith” alone guarantees salvation. The Word of YHWH says, “obey my voice, and keep my covenant” (Exodus 19:5). The Word says faith must accompany works (keeping the Torah). Exodus 19:5 lies at the heart of YHWH’s instruction and covenant to obey Him and perform His commandments. It says, obey YAH’s Commandments and keep His Covenant so that righteousness will be guaranteed (see Deut. 6:25). YAHSUA says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The commandment of YHWH is love. How then do the false writers teach that it was cancelled at the ‘cross’? Who cancelled it, when YAHSHUA says He did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17)? He requested His listeners to do and preach the Law and the Prophets (verse 19). To obey and keep the covenant commandments is the only way to become YHWH’s chosen people; YHWH’s special treasure, peculiar people, chosen to be above all people – a kingdom of priests and a set-apart nation (Exodus 19:5-6; Psalm 135:4; 33:12; see 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 26:18). Obedience to the Word of YHWH and faith in YAHSHUA HaMashiach is the only way righteousness and salvation is guaranteed.
Whatever we speak, teach, utter audibly or inaudibly – to ourselves or to others - that does not follow YHWH’s Torah and Covenant, will enter judgment. Therefore, be warned! Let your praise and glory be unto YHWH alone.
Jeremiah 9:23-24, "Thus says YHWH: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me [YHWH]...'"
Why does YHWH forbid boasting in our work?
(1) Because boasting in your work is theft — it steals YAH's glory.
Isaiah 42:8, "I am YHWH, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another."
If you were dead in sin [Ephesians 2:1] and YAH made you alive; if you could not come to YAHSHUA unless the Father drew (called) you [John 6:44]; if faith itself was granted to you [Philippians 1:29]; all these mean that all you received is from YHWH. Not by your efforts. The only effort required of you is to OBEY YHWH’s word – that’s your whole duty (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Eccl. 13:12; Micah 6:8). Your being saved is by YHWH’s favour; whatever you receive is from the Father of all flesh. In all these, you owe Him gratitude, appreciation, love, praise, thanks, glory, honour, and worship for His good works in your life. None is yours!
1 Corinthians 4:7, "What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"
(2) Because boasting in your work is proof of pride, and pride is the sin YHWH opposes most.
James 4:6, "YHWH resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
The Pharisee in Luke 18 did not boast out loud. He prayed within himself — in his thoughts: "YAH, I thank You that I am not like other men... I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess." That silent boast was heard in Heaven, and YAHSHUA said that man went home unjustified.
The tax collector, on the other hand, would not even lift his eyes, but beat his chest saying, "YAH, be merciful to me, a sinner!" His humble thought was also heard — and he went home justified.
(3) Because YHWH sees the motive behind the work.
Men see your good works and call you a set-apart person. YHWH sees why you did them.
Are you serving to be seen? To earn favour? To say "I am better than others"? That thought is already recorded in Heaven; and it’s a transgression (breaking of the Law) of the commandments.
1 Corinthians 4:5, "...who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts."
(4) It’s a sin to break YHWH’s Law, whether by thinking within the heart or loudly, not to obey it. Where someone teaches others to disobey YHWH's Word, and boasts of their own teaching or instruction, that person will perish in their evil acts. For instance, when people neglect what YHWH instructed and desire to do their own will, the BOC says they are under temptation to do evil. They want to accomplish the desire of their heart, whether pronounced or not. YHWH reads the heart, its motives and actions.
James 1:14-15, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, brings forth death” (see Job 15:35; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 6:23).
What Should Our Thoughts Be Then?
DO EVERYTHING TO THE GLORY AND HONOUR OF YHWH
Offering and Tithing: Instead of saying, ‘look what I have done for YHWH’; let our heart say, ‘look what YAH has done for me.’ Most times we take YHWH’s work, or even what He demands from us, for granted. Sometimes we cleverly think not to give YHWH what belongs to Him. The fathers of old were found innocent in giving to YHWH. They were forthright in giving when compared to this generation. This age does not give, and they don’t appreciate nor show gratitude to YHWH. For instance, if you covet or hoard His offerings, tithes, or refuse to contribute for the work of enthroning righteousness on earth; or if you refuse to donate for the work of teaching men to return to Him, e.g. evangelism, you are owing YAH; if you refuse to contribute towards the work of establishing the coming Kingdom of YHWH on Earth, then you would be shutting yourself from His Kingdom. Anyone who owes YHWH anything, or owes his fellow brother or sister anything, is guilty of the Law. The person is simply saying to YHWH, I have arrived; leave me alone to mind my own business’; ‘I am a self-made person’; ‘I rule over my own affairs’; ‘giving is a scam. The person is saying that he/she can govern oneself without YHWH. The person is claiming what belongs to YAH. Beloved reader, paying offerings and tithes are YHWH’s commandments; it is part of His covenant, which cannot be broken until He establishes righteousness on Earth. He says, His people, Yisrayah, shall rebuild Jerusalem after the judgment. Rebuilding of things requires contribution, giving, and donation, as Yisrayah were called to offer to YHWH in the wilderness and Jerusalem. Not fulfilling the covenant of offering and tithe is a sin; it’s breaking the Law. YAH called the individual a robber or thief, and no thief will enter the Kingdom of YHWH.
Birthday: this is another unnoticed way people sin by ascribing the glory and honour due unto YHWH to themselves. How do you celebrate your birthday? Is it by inviting people that do not have knowledge of YHWH, and do not appreciate Him, to come and drink for your added days on earth? Don’t you know that mankind is still a work in progress in the hands of YHWH? Don’t you know that the breath in you is His Own? Don’t you know that nothing in your body or life belongs to you? All you have - your life, your money, your possessions, your riches and wealth - all belong to YHWH. On the day you number your days on earth, you ought to celebrate YHWH, not yourself. Doing the opposite is to take His glory and honour. Those who celebrate their birthday outside YHWH are simply glorifying and honouring themselves. It’s an act of making themselves idols before YHWH. This is where celebrating a birthday is not right! YHWH created us for His glory and honour. Do not take it away from Him. He reads your words, thoughts, and the innermost parts of the heart. Don’t provoke Him to anger. Obey Him and live. Bible gives instances of those in covenant who celebrated their birthday without YHWH, and they perished. Don’t be reminded that every one of your celebrations is an occasion to honour and glorify Abba YAH, your FATHER. The following passages advise you to do everything to the glory and honour of YHWH, and this includes your tithes, offerings, and birthday celebration – offer them to YHWH alone – not to yourself or to anyone else. Remember, every spoken word or thought comes into judgment.
Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to YHWH, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve YAHSHUA HaMashiach.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of YHWH.”
Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit thy works unto YHWH, and your thoughts shall be established.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go.”
Ephesians 6:7 – “With good will doing service, as to YHWH, and not to men:”
1 Peter 4:11 – “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of YHWH; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which YHWH gives: that YHWH in all things may be glorified through YAHSHUA Messiah, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amein.”
Romans 12:11 – “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving YHWH.”
Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of YHWH, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in YHWH.”
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11 – “And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
Hebrews 6:10 – “For YHWH is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
Indeed, all we do, including our living, possessions and hope, are given to us by YHWH for the purpose of bringing glory and honour to Himself, not to ourselves. Even the gifts and gratitude we show to others must be offered to YHWH. All come from YHWH our Creator and Father, for His glory, honour and worship. This is the Law and the Prophets.
CONLCUSION
Galatians 6:14, "But YHWH forbid that I should boast except in the stake of our King YAHSHUA HaMashiach..."
Do not think: "I obeyed, I prayed, I gave, therefore YHWH must accept me."
Think: "YAHSHUA HaMashiach (Messiah) obeyed, Messiah bled, Messiah fulfilled the Law concerning Himself (see Luke 24:37,44-45); therefore YHWH has accepted me – because I found grace in His eyes as I kept my faith in Yahshua HaMashiach and keep His commandments as written of me. This is the Torah, this is the Commandments, this is in fulfilment of the Covenant given to the saints.
Let your only boast be in YHWH your FATHER and YAHSHUA HAMASHIACH, your Saviour.
1 Corinthians 1:31, Once again: "He who glories, let him glory in YHWH."
May the favour, the goodness and mercy of ABBA YAH be granted to you in keeping to His Covenant for those who obey Him, now and forever,
HalleluYah!
Dr. Goodwins Arikibe
Assembly of the Living Yahweh