How Does God Define The Word "Acceptable"?

 

In today's society, if you would ask most people the question - "What Is Acceptable?"  - you would receive a thousand different responses. Everyone has their own concept in mind. But what does the Bible say about this matter?

As Christians, are we negating what God calls acceptable in order to appear positive, relevant, or tolerant?  
 

Proverbs 10:32 says - "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable..."
Ecclesiastes 12:10 says - "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."
Titus 2:8 says - "Sound speech, that cannot be condemned..."
Daniel 4:27 adds - "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor..."

 

There is one group of people who know and utter what is "acceptable" - who regard and provide that which is most fitting, pleasing, profitable, or agreeable to their hearers..who speak wisely, bringing forth wisdom and goodness for the benefit of others...who have the love of God in their hearts and the law of kindness on their lips, avoiding all speech which would be classified as that which is displeasing to God or provoking to man.  

 

Who is that group of people?

 

It is the "righteous."

 

"The lips of the righteous know" and therefore utter what is "acceptable" or fitting for the moment.

 

Out of the "righteous," the Scriptures then narrow this class down to "the Preacher" and his obligation with "acceptable words" - "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."
 

                                                                                                                     

In this particular verse, we get a clearer understanding of what "acceptable words" are in God's point of view. They are words of desire, delight, grace, interest - those which are suitable for the moment, fitly spoken, understandable, edifying, and most pleasing to the hearers.

 

But they are more than this.

 

Notice that King Solomon stressed - "...and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."

 

These "acceptable words" sought out by "the preacher" had to be "upright, even words of truth." In other words, they had to be those which came from God and which guided people in the right direction - back to Himself.
 

                                                                                                                                    

The Apostle Paul termed such preaching - "sound speech, that cannot be condemned..."(Titus 2:8). These "acceptable words" - "words of truth" - are the only words which could make a sin-sick society whole, healthy, or strong again. These true, pure, and uncorrupted words are the only antidote for the spiritual diseases that are killing so many today. 

 

As the Church, we need to step back and ask ourselves the straightforward question - Have we allowed the world and its philosophers to dictate to us and define for us what is "acceptable"?

 

If we haven't, then why are there so many "preachers" who are sacrificing frankness and truth in order to keep their audiences?

 

As of late, it seems that the major agenda on most Preacher's minds - or the righteous man's, for that matter - is to please their hearers no matter what the cost. Hence, we have reduced the Gospel to a user-friendly status - one that appeals to most people and fits into their various sinful lifestyles.

 

We need to glean wisdom from the Prophet Daniel's example today.

 

When he stood before King Nebuchadnezzar, his main objective was not to relate or be found acceptable in his sight. His main agenda was to speak the truth - words which God ordained for the moment. As a "righteous" man, he "knew" and uttered "what is acceptable." As a "preacher," he "...sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."

 

Did he look to the philosophies of the day in order to relate to the King at the moment?

No, he spoke "words of truth" - "sound speech" - those which God ordained - "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor..."  

 

"acceptable words"

"acceptable counsel"

 

Have we allowed the world's philosophers to so mold and shape our thinking that we are no longer calling sin "sin" or admonishing the people to renounce their sin, abandon their evil lifestyles, and turn back to God before they end up in a devil's Hell for all of eternity?

 

What is "acceptable counsel" in your thinking?

 

Is it that which titillates the flesh and makes people feel good about themselves or is it that which convicts the soul and brings people to repentance before a Holy God?

 

"...The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable..."
 

                                                                                                                                     

If that be the case - and it is - then just how many "righteous" people do we have in this world today and where are they?

Are you one of them?

 

Where are the "preachers" who are seeking not to be popular or relate to today's society but are seeking - "...to find out acceptable words...even words of truth" - who are more concerned about men's souls than their approval?
 

                                                                                                                                             

What is Acceptable?

The world has already given us their "two cents" - but what does God say?