Getting the “last word”

We all know someone who has to have the last word.  We all know the person who always has to speak last in order to make an impression.  I used to be just like this.  I wanted to always have the last word in order to justify my opinion.  I would try desperately to speak a final word on a subject in order to leave my opinion in the minds of my listener.  We all do this at times because we feel that it is a way of making our opinion right, or rational.  If we can get our point across, then walk away before the argument can continue, we are, by default, declared to be on the winning side of the discussion.  This can be dangerous when we are debating God’s Word, or His rules for living our lives. 

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.  But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” 1 Timothy 6:2-7(NASB) 

We all like to think that we can have the last word in any and all situations.  Human nature will not let us believe that someone else knows better, or has more knowledge or experience with our circumstances.  We can take this to extremes at times, having no regard for the opinion of others about how we should live our lives, including God.  This is not a good position to be in, because God, our creator, has the right to dictate just how we need to live the life He gave us.  God has the option of having the last word on any and all issues we could possibly come across or deal with in our lives.  The problem starts when we do not allow God to have the last word on how we need to live our lives and respect the lives of others.  We can find ourselves in a mess when we live according to our opinions and rules, and not the commandments of our God. 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16(NASB)  It would be “profitable” for us to understand God’s Word.  This has been and always will be the last word on how to live the life He gave us.  If we want to have the last word, then we need to have God’s Word in our heart. 

We need to be prepared to teach God’s Word to others as if it is ours, then we can honestly say we are “getting the last word.” 

“in the world, not of the world”