Watch Your Mouth 10/5/2012

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:36-37

Most of it find it entertaining, telling or even tragic when one of our political leaders is caught saying something we would not normally associate with them near an open microphone. Many have been embarrassed by such utterances and find themselves having to spend a lot of time spinning the statement or doing damage control. The truth is, once something has been said, it can never be unsaid.

It is not just those who are in the public eye that are subject to these dangers; in fact, we all are. It is important that Christians know and understand that God is omniscient and omnipresent. "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" Heb 4:13. In short, God sees and hears everything.

Beloved we must be thoughtful about the things we choose to say. It is not nearly as much of the purposeful things we say as the idle ones that indicate our character. Have you ever been walking down the street, seen some one poorly dressed or in a diminished state of hygiene and said something derogatory about them to a companion? Are you critical of and vocal about others who may not agree with you? Do you engage in gossip? These words ultimately condemn the speaker rather than the object of them. Paul said, "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" Col 4:6. We are children of God and ambassadors of heaven. Every word that proceeds from our mouths should reflect this.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee

He Said, She Said-12/15/2011

"Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others." Eccl 7:21-22

Contextually, Solomon is extolling the virtues of wisdom while simultaneously imparting it. Here we are cautioned to not pay too much attention to the expressions of others where we are concerned. Very often we actively seek or present an inquiring ear for the positive things people say about us. It is human nature to want to hear flowery compliments about our personality, abilities, accomplishments, expressions and the like. This can lead to a false sense of security and reputation that does not represent the whole picture.

Likewise, we must not give undo credence to those who would criticize. People are very quick to form opinions and express them, often based on limited experience and understanding regarding that which they speak. Giving undo credence to these can lead to an ill advised response or an unnecessary alteration.

Perhaps the greatest wisdom contained in the passage is the gentle reminder that we ourselves have been guilty of speaking out of turn about others. The scripture says this has been the case "many times." Sobering. It is well known that everyone has something to say about everyone else. We are card carrying members of "everyone."

Beloved, let us take the whole of Solomon's advice. The apostle Paul put it this way, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me."
1 Cor 4:3-4

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee

Be Careful What You Say-DD 2/23/2011

"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless." James 1:26

There is a reason why many Christians are labeled hypocrites. As it was once said, our video does not often match our audio. To be sure, we are pious and humble in worship and around other Christians, but at work, school and around our non-Christian friends, we are more liberal with the lip.

This liberality is seen in a variety of ways:

• "But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?" Acts 5:1-3

• "But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;" James 1:19
  
  
• "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way." James 3:8-10
  
  
• "For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting." Rom 16:18
  
  
• "...and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting," Eph 5:4
  
  

Beloved, this is, by no means an exhaustive list. Such as it is however; can you identify with any of these issues? Are you at one time or another guilty of all? Let us instead pursue seasoning our words with salt, uplifting, encouraging and edifying our fellow man. By this use of our words and the conservative use of our lips will we attract others to the cause of Christ. Remember, we represent him who saved us and Him who spoke the universe into existence.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee