Are we called to not be direct with others? Is that bad, morally wrong, or just a reflection of our culture. TODAY, I am going to show you what the Bible says about giving an “APT REPLY” or being too direct.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines an APT REPLY as: “able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability.” The Collins Dictionary.com defines an apt reply as: “to the point and particularly appropriate.

People have called me direct and one who gives an apt reply at times. The bottom line is that some people don’t like an apt reply. Perhaps it's about accountabililty or not wanting to told anything). By anyone welse (an unteachable spirit).

The bottom line is that we are not to play loosly with words. If we speak truth we can speak and give an “apt reply” instead of some obscure encrypted sentence which is wrong. Some time back, I was sitting with some local folks that taught me that in the reigion, things often mean the opposite of what is literally stated. One gentleman asked the other gentleman if he “might-could consider” doing something. I thought it was a request until he elder gentleman turned to me and said I am going to tech you something about local culture, and went on to explain to me that a request as such if most often not a literal REQUEST but a command to do something. Despite the way in which his words were used, it was still an “apt reply”, and I can respect that. So, is giving an APT REPLY biblical?

PROVERBS 15:23 says “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!”. 

So what does it mean to make an apt reply? To make an apt answer is to address a problem in someone's life according to Proverbs 15:23. Another version of Proverbs 15:23 says it this way: “TO MAKE AN APT ANSWER IS A JOY TO A MAN, AND A WORD IN SEASON, HOW GOOT IT IS!”

The  point is this: It should be a “JOY” to give an answer that is helpful to another person, even when it cuts to the core. To be clear, it’s just as important as to “HOW” we say something as to “THAT” we say something. So first, we must say it and then be mindful as to “HOW” we say that helpful truth. 

To be clear, there are times when there are right answer is not always appropriate, but it’s still good to give wisdom words to best help the other person make decisions for themself. On the flip side, it is a joy to give a helpful answer to a problem, but it must be spoken in the right time and in the right way. Timing is critical. We must make sure that we are not criticizing the other person out of anger. That would be wrong. 

Being a productive and effective parent or leader mandates being able to give an apt answer  and being disciplined in your speech; using your words for the benefit and encouragement as well as correction (when needed) of others. 

IN CLOSING I want to close with Proverbs 24:26 which says, “AN HONEST ANSWER IS LIKE A KiSS ON THE LIPS”. 

The ESV says it this way: “WHOEVER GIVES AN HONEST ANSWER KISSES THE LIPS”.

This saying compares giving “A RIGHT ANSWER” with kissing  “THE LIPS”. A right answer is a straightforward, honest response to an inquiry. And in the end, this is called giving an APT ANSWER because such words reflect LOVE, RESPECT, and INTIMACY towards the inquirer, much like a kiss on the lips. And, the greatest sign of affection and respect for another person is to tell the person the truth.

So to answer the question as to is it wrong or bad to give an “APT REPLY?” The answer in summary is a whopping “YES”. We are called biblically to be respectful but direct with others. That is not bad or morally wrong. WHY? Because the greatest sign of affection and respect for another person is to tell the person the truth-and that mandates giving an “apt reply”.

We are called in faith to be CERTAIN of God’s promises. Today, I am going to show you through Isaiah, chapter 12, just what that looks like according to God through the ancient prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah, Chapter 12, verses one through six, we find a HYMM OF PRAISE by Isaiah. But this is no ordinary hymn of praise-it’s a model for you and I to learn, adopt, believe in and live by on a daily basis. 

WHY DO I SAY THAT?
So certain were God’s promises of future blessing for Israel IN THAT FUTURE DAY that Isaiah composed this song of praise in anticipation of the Millennium. Considering the fact that the Book of Isaiah was written 740-680 B.C. We should be no less patient of our future hope than Isaiah was.

THE OPENING
I love the opening of Isaiah why’s says this: “ YOU WILL SAY IN THAT DAY: I WLL GIVE THANKS TO YOU, O LORD, FOR THOUGH YO UWERE ANGRY WITH ME, YOUR ANGER TURNED AWAY, THAT YOU MIGHT COMFORT ME. BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVATION; I WILL TRUST, AND WILL NOT BE AFRAID; FOR “THE LORD GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG, AND HE WILL BECOME MY SALVATION”… (ISAIAH 12:1-2). 

WHAT DID ISAIAH MEAN BY “IN THAT DAY” IN VERSE 1?
When Isaiah said, “In that day” in verse 1, we can look to chapter 2:12 for greater clarity. The first “YOU” is singular, representing the remnant as an individual. The word “ANGRY”: Here, Isaiah is speaking of the anger of God which has caused the people to be “DISPERSED” among the nations (5:25; 9:12); And it is God’s grace that would lead to their regathering in the future. 

GOD IS MY SALVATION
In verse 2, Isaiah points out: "GOD IS MY SALVATION". This psalm of redemption is based on the first psalm of redemption in Exodus (Exodus 15:2; Psalm 118:14). The word used is “YAH” or “THE LORD”, but its repetition, emphasizes that Israel’s covenant-keeping God-and not the nations-brings salvation (26:4).

GOD’S STRENGTH
Isaiah says in verse 2, “MY STRENGTH AND SONG”. What does he mean by that? The phrase may be rephrased as “MY STRONG SONG” or “MY SONG OF STRENGTH” (Exodus 15:2).

The bottom line is that this hymn by Isaiah is a future model to guide our present perspective. What do I mean by that? The answer is that ultimately, this is an end-time psalm of praise (as is 42:10-17); a POEM to be sung in the future kingdom by the redeemed of the Lord in His glorious presence. Why is this important to us?

CONCLUSION
This passage is important in that it represents a song of victory celebrating the Lord’s final defeat of Israel’s enemies and His deliverance of Israel, The song beings with an acknowledgment of God’s “ANGER”, which is “TURNED AWAY” resulting in comfort and salvation (v.1). It continues with the affirmation that the people’s salvation is found only in God. Verse 2 does not point to the activities of God the have led to salvation, but to God Himself as salvation. As such, the people will no longer look to more powerful nations, political alliances, or their own wealth and strength for salvation, but to God alone. The people will finally trust and fear the Lord, acknowledging Him as the source of all refuge and strength (v.2). This is all covered in the first two verses.

This chapter was written specifically for the Jewish people, but has application that affects all of us, even as gentiles. We (Jew and gentile) are all called in faith to be CERTAIN of God’s promises. And God makes clear through Isaiah, chapter 12 that both Jew and Gentile are to TRUST in His promises.

IN A RECENT BARNA STUDY ON THE STATE OF AMERICAN 'CHRISTIANITY: Of American churchgoers, recent studies unveiled exactly why Christianity, and many churches are failing at their core mission. Today, I am going to show you through an excerpt from Southern Evangelical Seminary, SES.Edu, exactly why that is and how that failure reflects our efforts-or lack-there-of as Christians. Let’s get started.

IN A RECENT STUDY ON THE STATE OF AMERICAN 'CHRISTIANITY': Of American churchgoers, recent studies found the following.

63% agree that God accepts the worship of all religions

48% agree the Bible contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true

54% agree that religious belief is a matter of personal opinion rather than objective truth

Around 2 in 5 American churchgoers agree that gender identity is a matter of choice

Nearly half of American churchgoers disagree or are unsure that abortion is a sin. WHY is this important? Because murdering babies and children reflects the most basic state of morality and building blocks of any civil society. Or there-lack-of.

The study also found that: Only 2 in 5 Senior Pastors have a biblical worldview* This is a MAJOR problem and unveils that 3 in 5 pastors do NOT have a biblical worldview. Why are they pastors to begin with is beyond me outside of the  idea that perhaps they are unmotivated, unskilled and perhaps incapable of getting another job in a different field.

Furthermore, only 12% of Children’s & Youth Pastors have a biblical worldview*
*”Biblical Worldview” is defined here as making sure our understanding/choices are consistent with God’s principles and commands: 
(Sources: Barna.com, PewResearch.org, ArizonaChristian.edu, TheStateofTheology.com).

Why should anyone in a highly-educated, scientific, “tolerant,” and technologically-advanced culture believe the truthfulness of Christianity? Thinking well about things like logic, faith and reason, the evidence for God’s existence, and the true nature of Christianity directly address all the issues listed above. 

When the evidence is examined in a systematic way, we can see that we have excellent reasons to believe Christianity is actually true. And if that is the case, as C.S. Lewis observed, there is nothing more important we can take hold of and learn to effectively share with others. As SES co-founder Dr. Norman Geisler said, 

“Why should anyone in a highly-educated, scientific, “tolerant,” and technologically-advanced culture believe the truthfulness of Christianity? Thinking well about things like logic, faith and reason, the evidence for God’s existence, and the true nature of Christianity directly address all the issues listed above. When the evidence is examined in a systematic way, we can see that we have excellent reasons to believe Christianity is actually true. And if that is the case, as C.S. Lewis observed, there is nothing more important we can take hold of and learn to effectively share with others.”

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA SAID:
“Some, who think themselves naturally gifted, do not wish to touch either philosophy or logic; nay more, they do not wish to learn natural science. They demand bare faith alone, as if they wished, without bestowing any care on the vine, straightway to gather clusters from the first. Now the Lord is figuratively described as the vine, from which, with pains and the art of husbandry, according to the word, the fruit is to be gathered. We must lop, dig, bind, and perform the other operations. The pruning-knife, I should think, and the pick-axe, and the other agricultural implements, are necessary for the culture of the vine, so that it may produce eatable (sic.) fruit. … So also here, I call him truly learned who brings everything to bear on the truth; so that, from geometry, and music, and grammar, and philosophy itself, culling what is useful, he guards the faith against assault.”
-[CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, circa 200 A.D.]

I would like to close with the words of my old friend, teacher and mentor, Dr. Norman L. Geisler:
“[Apologetics] is opening the door, clearing the rubble, and removing the hurdles so that people can come to Christ.”

Our culture’s failure to keep the orthodox faith and use apologetics rightly has led to a crisis of biblical literacy that the United States has never seen. How do I know this? 

The research is in and only two in five pastors have an orthodox biblical worldview; meaning three out of five don’t; 63% agree that God accepts the worship of all religions; 48% agree the Bible contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true; 54% agree that religious belief is a matter of personal opinion rather than objective truth.

Even worse, only 12% of Children’s & Youth Pastors have a biblical worldview*
*”Biblical Worldview” is defined here as making sure our understanding/choices are consistent with God’s principles and commands. When we lose the youth, we lose the faith. And of all the challenges we face, this is AMERICA’S STATE OF FAITH CRISIS and source of most all of our current problems. This raises one serious question: What are we going to do to begin to change this for the next generation?