You know when you’re a golfer, and you hear the word “Fore” that you may be in danger, there’s something coming your way out of control. I’m not a golfer, but I kept hearing the word “Fore” in my mind. As the days went by, I began to see a lot of “Fours” pop up in my Scripture reading. God kept leading me to verses in seven chapters of the Bible, and I got the message that He had much for me to learn in those chapters. 

It started when I was studying Ephesians 4, with verse 29, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” 

Years ago, I memorized that verse so that I could remember it whenever I needed it. I am around people at times who swear profusely, and I know that when you hear words often enough, they start to stick in your brain, and you may find yourself using them on rare occasions. I knew I didn’t want that to happen, so I thought if that verse were pasted in my mind, I wouldn’t be tempted to swear myself. It worked pretty well because God did bring it to mind on occasion, and I knew the word I was thinking wasn’t at all edifying or full of grace, so I didn’t use it.

God reinforced that message when He led me to Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” 

I think of salt as a preservative, and I think it helps preserve a friendship if I am careful in my responses to other people. I always try to think about my responses before I express them so that I can be kind and not argumentative. It takes time to practice but waiting a moment before we speak is always a wise thing to do. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us to be fervent in our love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins. I want my responses to be said in love.

There are so many changes and worries in the world today that it is hard to see the beauty in the world around us. Our lives are busy, we lose our focus at times, and our joy in life seems to disappear. We need to remember to enjoy our friends and family whenever possible and keep our spirits up. 

Philippians 4:6-8 says it really well, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”

And if we do practice these things, verse 9 says the God of peace will be with us. It does take practice, though, as do all the things God asks us to do in His Word. But we are so blessed when we follow His advice; He really does want us to experience joy in our lives. The recipe is all right there in His Book!

God used a few more verses in the “fours” of other books of the Bible, and I realized how much He wants to prepare us for our daily life. We need to be watchful for the dangers coming our way and know how to react in a Godly manner. Sometimes we have to fight with ourselves about what we say and do, but I want to be able to say at the end that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

I don’t usually use this many verses in my article, but God was busy showing me the important guidelines in the “Fours,” and I found it extremely interesting and a wonderful warning of dangers that would be coming my way. He continually shows me how much He cares about us and wants us to be prepared for the future, so be vigilant and pay attention when He starts to show you something new! There may be danger ahead—“Fore!”