HYPERBOLE
What is hyperbole? Do you know what the meaning of hyperbole is without looking it up in your dictionary? Well, here it is from Oxford Languages: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
My brother was dead at 25 years of age from a sudden minor illness that no doctor knew what it was. He was the victim of black magic. Did I hear somebody say that they don't believe in black magic? Believe or do not believe is irrelevant. Black magic exists in many Asian, Middle Eastern, and other parts of the world. Potent Black magic practitioners who produce consistent results make tons of money.
Jesus said, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24.
My brother hurts the feelings of someone close to him very badly! He doesn't care. For years he has never apologized to the family whom he had offended and humiliated. A week or two before he died he told me that he frequently heard a voice at night calling for his name repeatedly, but when he opened the front door no one was there. A day before his PanAm flight from Jakarta to Los Angeles was scheduled to depart, he was dead. No doctor knew why he died.
Jesus gave us this warning, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30.
Was this also a hyperbole? No, God meant what He said. He wants us to take His words seriously. Don’t make fun of Him, and don’t make fun of His words either! When we say that His words are hyperbole, we are making fun of Him. Pay attention to what He said, and never ignore His words. He meant what He said. Nothing Jesus said is hyperbole, nothing! Remember the warning that God told Noah to give to the people during his time? Everybody thought it was hyperbole, not meant to be taken literally and seriously until the big flood came and destroyed them all, including the animals.
Do you know why we should take His warnings seriously? Do you want to know why? Because Satan is after our soul as soon as we are born. He doesn’t want any of us to take his place in heaven. None!
My brother hurts the feelings of someone close to him very badly! He doesn't care. For years he has never apologized to the family whom he had offended and humiliated. A week or two before he died he told me that he frequently heard a voice at night calling for his name repeatedly, but when he opened the front door no one was there. A day before his PanAm flight from Jakarta to Los Angeles was scheduled to depart, he was dead. No doctor knew why he died.
Jesus gave us this warning, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30.
Was this also a hyperbole? No, God meant what He said. He wants us to take His words seriously. Don’t make fun of Him, and don’t make fun of His words either! When we say that His words are hyperbole, we are making fun of Him. Pay attention to what He said, and never ignore His words. He meant what He said. Nothing Jesus said is hyperbole, nothing! Remember the warning that God told Noah to give to the people during his time? Everybody thought it was hyperbole, not meant to be taken literally and seriously until the big flood came and destroyed them all, including the animals.
Do you know why we should take His warnings seriously? Do you want to know why? Because Satan is after our soul as soon as we are born. He doesn’t want any of us to take his place in heaven. None!
“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that [there is] none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has [is] in your power; only do not lay a hand on his [person]." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” Job 1:6-12
Do you know what Satan said when God asked him from where did he come? Satan answered, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." Do you know what Satan was doing “going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it?” Satan was looking around to kill the lives of as many people as he could. He doesn't want anybody to take his place in heaven. And do you know why we are still alive? Because God told Satan “Do not lay a hand on his [person].” If God forbids Satan not to lay a hand on my brother, he is still alive today. And so, Brethren, thank God that He still protects us.
Keep our minds open. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Believe in what Jesus said. None of His words is hyperbole. Don't make fun of His words. Do not humiliate Him. He meant what He said. By the way, how would you feel if Jesus said that your prayer to Him is just a hyperbole? Do you like that? Why do we think that He will listen to us when we refuse to listen to Him?
Do you know what Satan said when God asked him from where did he come? Satan answered, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." Do you know what Satan was doing “going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it?” Satan was looking around to kill the lives of as many people as he could. He doesn't want anybody to take his place in heaven. And do you know why we are still alive? Because God told Satan “Do not lay a hand on his [person].” If God forbids Satan not to lay a hand on my brother, he is still alive today. And so, Brethren, thank God that He still protects us.
Keep our minds open. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Believe in what Jesus said. None of His words is hyperbole. Don't make fun of His words. Do not humiliate Him. He meant what He said. By the way, how would you feel if Jesus said that your prayer to Him is just a hyperbole? Do you like that? Why do we think that He will listen to us when we refuse to listen to Him?
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