by David Brenneman
It's a fine line between speaking beneficial words and those that are not. The Bible indeed is that which is the sword of the Spirit. Able to do things that the word of man cannot accomplish or appreciate.
In our daily living our words have the ability to build up and tear down people.
Scripturally we are to seek God's truth indeed, an in our case, to only speak the truth in love. Seasoning our words as though with salt that it might give grace to those who hear. We aren't to be brutal with our words but to seek the edification of the hearer.
In this last week I was subject to some raw words. Words that were not beneficial to my walk with Jesus nor my life as it pertains to others.
Some out there weilding their words like a sword, in all observable ways, cutting people rather than speaking well or edifying others with their words. They do not build up the body. Showing no sense of the compassion of Christ Jesus in their speech love and conduct.
Jesus knew all men and wouldn't trust Himself to any. He is the only One who perfectly seasoned His words for each and every single person He crossed paths with. We indeed may think we know what's best but the reality is only Jesus knows what's best. Having Jesus in us doesn't automatically give us the mind of God. We grow in Christ, becoming like Jesus, but we are not Jesus.
It's a harsh thing to be the recipient of words not thought out. We read in Proverbs a lot about words and timing of when to speak, how to speak and if you should speak.
The Scriptures tell us to be extremely careful of accusations towards others. In regards to Pastors and Elders it should never be the word of one person against them.
Thinking before I speak isn't always my forte. How I speak isn't always it either. Social interaction isn't up there on the list of skills that I can ever include on my resume. I struggle greatly in knowing how to interact with people because I spent so much time growing up not developing those skills.
We indeed can think we mean well in what we intend to say, but, when the ramifications of what we do say aren't considered, oh the damage that may come!
To say we do this or that in God's name without fully considering what that means is to live life with reckless abandon. We are not God. We don't know where the hearts of listeners are at in this stage of their lives. Proverbs actually says some very pointed things concerning speaking and fools.
In writing these posts I indeed say that what I write I am told to write. I am doing my best to remain true to the called by which I am called in Christ Jesus. I have not written anything that I could point to and say that was me. As my thoughts are guided by God so it's written. I have also repeatedly said that I simply am not that good a writer on my own. To reread what comes out each time in these posts completely amazes me.
Jesus indeed is the Author of all Truth. In Him there is no shifting shadow. In Him alone is the ability to accurately and completely know every single person and what every single person needs to hear from God. We do not.
Colossians 4:6 NASB "Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
Weilding God's Word as a hammer all the time isn't going to get others to listen.
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
Ephesians 4:29-32 NASB "Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
Proverbs 19:5 NASB "A false witness will not go unpunished, And one who declares lies will not escape."
Be careful of how you walk in Christ Jesus. Be careful always. The lives of people are in the balance. Their eternity is in the balance. Where they will spend it.
Words will either build up or tear down. Words spoken cannot be fully taken back.
My only concern is doing what it is that God's calling me to do to the best of my ability. To be found by Him living in obedience. To point others to consider maybe that indeed if God, through Christ Jesus, could save such a person like me, He can indeed save others as well. My hope is that someone, somewhere, through these writings turns to Jesus and in faith is saved. I have no desires to puff myself up. I have no desires beyond to see others come to Christ for salvation.
Jesus loves me, He died for me, He saved me. He wants to show everyone the same thing concerning them.
What's funny, and not in a laughing sense, is that the person's words concerning me, easily apply to themselves. My prayer concerning people's point of view is that God would deal with them. I have not the Godly wisdom to search the minds and hearts of people. I know not how to speak in such a way to respond to foolishness.
Proverbs tells us not to engage in a debate with a fool. Proverbs 26:4-5 NASB "Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes."
Romans 12:16 NASB "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
Season your words, build up one another, point people to Jesus. The author and perfector of our faith. We are His workmanship. Love God, Love others.
No comments:
Post a Comment