God’s Sovereignty and Godly Communication
What is your favorite passage in Scripture that captures the glorious doctrine of the sovereignty of God? There are many, but I’ll vote for Romans 11:33-36:
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
By the way, we’re still in our Wednesday’s Word series on communication. I haven’t changed the subject to the doctrine of the sovereignty of God.
What’s the connection? I am deeply persuaded that a life of godly communication is rooted in a personal recognition of and submission to the sovereignty of God.
Only when I submit to the rule of God, who has a perfect plan and is in complete control, will I begin to live and speak as he has purposed.
Remember what we covered last week in James 4. An idolatrous heart produces words that serve the idols that grip us, which are often destructive and hurtful to others who stand in the way of our idols. And how do we break that idolatry? Submit to God (James 4:7).
It’s only when we submit to the sovereignty of God that our idolatry of heart will be broken. Here alone will my words be freed from being the tools of my agenda, my attempts at control, and my glory-seeking.
Have you ever fantasized about being completely sovereign? It’s embarrassing to admit, but I have! In this make-believe world, I am absolutely sovereign. Every person does my bidding. Every situation unfolds according to my will. I function as God and rule unchallenged. This world exists for my pleasure and operates exactly as I wish.
As delusional as this sounds, we actually try to speak this delusion into existence.
The teenager yells at his parents, attempting to change their rules through volume. The husband who wants his way argues his wife into a corner. The wife seeks to motivate her husband with guilt. The manipulator uses flattery to get what he wants from his friend.
None of them are resting in God’s sovereignty, believing God will provide what is best. But when we understand God’s sovereignty and submit to his rule, we can live and speak as God has designed.
This is the polar opposite of living and speaking according to our plan, for our control, and for our glory. Such self-interest is what brings so much trouble to our talk. The war of words is a war for sovereignty.
So yes, it’s true: our communication directly relates to our hearts resting in and submitting to God’s sovereignty. If our words don’t flow out of hearts that rest in his control, they come out of hearts that seek control so we can get what we want.
When we trust that God is in control of our lives, we do not give in to panic. We do not begin thinking that life is out of control, and we do not despair when we are confused about what is happening. We know that every situation is under the careful administration of the King of Kings.
As we grab hold of this truth by faith, we can pay attention to what God has called us to do: to live and speak in a way that brings him glory.
“For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34-35)
A Prayer for Today: Lord, I admit that I have not trusted in your sovereign hand over every aspect of my life. I have allowed my own desires and wants to get in the way of believing in your good plan for me, and that has directly impacted the way I communicate. God, by faith, I ask you to help me pay attention to what you have called me to do, and help me to live and speak in a way that brings you glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
God bless,
Paul Tripp
Discussion Prompt for Children
• What do you think it means that God is in control? What does that mean for you? What does God being in control mean for me?
• Why do you think it’s so difficult for us to live in a way that shows we believe God is in control of our lives?
• How do you and I use our words to try and control other people? Why is that so dangerous?
Reflection Questions
1. In what ways have you tried to control other people using your words? How has that desire for control impacted your relationships with others? How do you feel when someone else tries to control you with their words?
2. How can a greater understanding of God’s sovereignty and submission to his rule practically help change the way you live and speak? Why do you think submitting your words to God’s authoritative rule is something that’s so difficult for human beings? Why is it specifically difficult for you?
3. How has your communication been a window into the condition of your heart? Based on the everyday language and words you use, would you say that your heart is resting and submitting to God’s sovereignty? Why is there such danger in trying to be sovereign over your own life, specifically when it comes to your words?
4. In what areas of your life are you tempted to give in to panic? What is your panic a symptom of at the deeper levels of your heart? How do you think God wants to specifically address those deeper areas of your heart? Why do you think God even cares about those deeper areas of your heart?