>>>>>>>>The Bible says it this way (Luke 11:23) KJV - "23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."
>>>>>>>Now that is evil... So GOD is really SATAN himself?
>>>>>>It means the truth has one voice. Anyone not speaking the truth is, by definition, speaking a lie.
>>>>>So anyone just keeping his mouth shut is lying as well?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>In certain cases, though it is not "lying" exactly, but sinning:
>>>>James 4:17 - KJV - "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
>>>
>>>Ummmm....not to nitpick a lot, but that verse refers to actions, not speech. Most of Jesus' message was the equivalent of "By our actions are we known" John 3:19-24, James 2 14-17, James 1: 23-25
>>>
>>>Actions, not words.
>>+
>>
>>Speaking is most definitely an action. It's an action verb. :-) But beyond that, it has real power even of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).
>
>Yet it is treated as non-action. "Do good" - not "speak good"
> "Who acted as his neighbor?" not 'who spoke as his neighbor'
> "You go and do likewise" not 'you go and talk likewise' (which sounds incredibly country if you put a twang in yer speech)


You bring up a most interesting disparity between the natural world understanding, and the nature of the Kingdom of God, and indeed all things of the spirit. Allow me to demonstrate:

Jesus said this about His own words (John 6:63, KJV) - "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

Quite a statement.

Here we see that our flesh counts for nothing, and therefore the actions of our flesh also count for nothing (in and of themselves). But it is His words which have life-giving power. And whereas our physical actions in this world do real, physical things, and these are outwardly representative of our inward state and serve as visible witnesses unto ourselves, unto God, and unto others regarding those inside things (love, compassion, a desire to help, emotional state, etc.), even the best of our actions cannot save men's eternal souls, only God's words can do that. Our actions can paint houses, and assist the needy, and reach out a helping hand, and so on, but it is only His words bringing forth the knowledge of the gospel (conveyed by His spirit unto life through the hearing, and acceptance of those words in one's heart) which has the power to save souls.

Speaking is most definitely action, but, as you demonstrate, it is not often likened here in the flesh to the same kind of actions we otherwise see (except for the technical fact that our mouths physically move as by muscular interaction).

And, it is words which actually convey the real power. For example, words give context to other actions. I can help an old lady across the street for many reasons. Some onlooker might think I did it because I was being nice. Another might think it was my grandmother. But the true fact may be I have OCD and have to help old people cross the street or I freak out.

By explaining my action using words, the purpose of the physical action is made clear. But even without the action, the conveyance of the information (speaking about scripture, conveyance of God's spirit) has an effect within, moving of the spirit, prompting into action. And His words are those of all scripture (2 Timothy 3:16 - KJV - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"), which is why so many people demand that people speaking His words be silenced, for therein is the power to save, and to set men free.

In addition, when we (Christians) act in this world doing things, we are not simply doing them. We do them, but well beyond that we stipulate explicitly that we are doing them because of Him. We convey this information (using words) as a testimony, a witness, before men, which is then coupled to our other actions. Our speech provides the framework surrounding our endeavors, and conveys what is truly in our hearts.

Words are also part of the Christian's charge by Jesus. We are commanded to go into all the world and teach and make disciples, which is comprised of the physical action of getting there, and the teaching action of conveyance (speech primarily, yet coupled with demonstration). We cite scripture, which are His words, which are spirit, and life, and we couple these to our own actions whereby we do things demonstrating the power of those words.

We have even seen the power of speech here in this forum, as with Visual FreePro and the total lack of people stepping forward to help me complete a product when it should be clear to everybody I have the technical skills to do so, and it is obvious there is interest. Many people have told me, including Thierry??sp??, that were I simply to create the project, and tone down on the "Jesus rhetoric" (paraphrased, I don't believe he ever said that exactly, but it is of that type of writing), then others would come on board to help me. I believe he's right. I've had several other people tell me that I need to separate my Christianity from my business endeavors, and specifically from Visual FreePro, then others would feel comfortable stepping in. I believe all of them are right too, because words have real power. :-)

It's very interesting the power words have. They have more power than actions, and when they are filled with the words God gave us (which are spirit), they are completely full of action, and of the kind which dives deep into a man's heart, cutting away all of the falseness, laying the ongoing foundations of truth which cannot be shaken (because of the true foundation on which they are built -- Him).

It is the words which are life, and give all physical action its proper context. Without the words, the context is subjective, open to interpretation, and ultimately meaningless without understanding (and whereas God sees all, other men cannot see into true intent). With words, however, the intent is explicit, and conveys real meaning and purpose. "I did this because I wanted to help" compared with "I did this because Jesus commanded us to do these things, and because I love Jesus, and I love you, I wanted to help." Totally different statements, yet the outward action was the same. The result in eternity could also be totally different (1 Corinthians 3:13-15), depending on the heart of the individual doing them, and other things related to the overall witness.

We are also warned about our speech:
1 Peter 3:10 - KJV - "For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."

1 Peter 4:11 - KJV - "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Timothy 4:12 - KJV - "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

These teachings go along with other verses which instruct us to put our speech into action alongside outwardly observable, physical actions, thereby completing the charge given us by God.

Speech has power. Real power. It casts things eternal. Natural work in this world does not do that because everything here will pass away. Those things built atop purposes tied to His words, which are spirit, will survive, however.