On Oratory Versus God's Truth
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
The story is told of a man who was trying to explain the meaning of the word “oratory.” He commented with tongue in cheek, “If you say black is white, that’s foolishness. But if while you say “black is white,” you roar like a bull, pound on the table with both fists, and race from one end of the platform to another, that’s oratory!”
Folks, we can be quickly swept off our feet by the forceful way some people express themselves, even though we may have some questions about their message.
Jude warns us about those whose mouths speak “great swelling words” (Jude 1:16). Sad to say, the masses are often moved more by style than by content.
Paul told Timothy that the time will come when people will turn away from the truth of sound doctrine and tolerate only those who entertain and make people feel good (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Therefore, we must carefully analyze and evaluate everything we hear in the light of Scripture (Acts 17:10-11) — even what is taught and proclaimed by the most prolific and eloquent of speakers.
Brethren, as members of the Lord’s church, we must never allow ourselves to be swayed by mere oratory. Rather, we need to make certain that the preachers we listen to are “speaking the truth in Christ and not lying” (1 Timothy 2:7).
Let’s never allow “idle talkers and deceivers” (Titus 1:10) to confuse us.
Eloquence and oratory is never a substitute for God’s truth (John 17:17).