Eph 4:29 Let
no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to
the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
If you talk to people long enough, it is pretty easy to find
out their belief system in the matters of heartache, victories, church, family,
careers….life in general. It doesn’t take long to discover what their
relationship is with God either, whether they have trusted His Son as their
Savior or just know about Him for one reason or another. It all comes out in
conversation…..our manner of life.
Mrs. John R. Rice was an unusual woman. She spoke in
scriptures. I’ve never known anyone who walked so close to God as this dear
lady. Mrs. Betty Bloom, Dr. Jesse Bloom’s wife, was such a lady as well. To
God, people would remember me for a little of what I observed in these women.
My tongue is so long it comes out and slaps me most every day! I hate it, don’t
you, if you struggle with your words? Marlene Evans taught a lot on the sins of
women and their tongues. Thank the Lord He gave me enough women in my life to
help me know there was hope for me, after all AND, there is hope for you. Our tongues can
minister grace or it can corrupt everything and everyone around us.
This is a gross illustration but very effective for children
as they finally admit to saying inappropriate words or passing one tale (untruth)
after another. Just recently a young man and his friend came to my office to
let me know that another young boy had called a group of girls a very bad name.
After having them fill out a “Confession of Someone’s Fault” I immediately went
to the offender’s class room and asked this question, “Where in the world did you
hear such a word as you called these girls?” Without hesitation, he said, “My
Mama!” I was shocked, truly, to think he
blamed his mom but at the same time, I knew it could be possible as we all make
mistakes.
“Do you know what that word means, son?” With tears welling up in his eyes, he answered “Yessim, a
female dog.”
Well, I knew then to go and notify his mom and get it over with,
but before I did I told him, “When you say words like that around others, it is
like taking dung and smearing it in their ears. Do you understand?”
“Yessim, I do. Mrs. Loyd, I am so sorry. My mama is going to
be so mad at me.”
I wanted him to see that not only was it a sin for him, but
that he caused others to hear and smell his stink, and for that, he would
answer to God as well. I know it is a crude illustration, but you DO get the
picture, don’t you? You know, we are no different than this child when we “proceed”
with corrupt communication.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
That ole man (woman) is still there and she slips in, on the front
lines to make her attack. If you don’t watch out, she goes for the kill and the
stink begins!
I love cilantro not for the flavor so much, but for the
smell as I eat my salad, but if I don’t take care of it, it becomes the biggest
stink in the bottom of my refrigerator and is good for nothing except for the
coyotes and buzzards. They’ll eat anything! The rot, the odor, the spoil
corrupts everything around it. Will you think with me for a moment and take the
time to examine the many ways we cause
others pain as our corruption multiplies in our homes and in our work place.
Words that kill:
1.
Can’t you do anything right?
2.
You stupid fool. How many times do I have to
tell you?
3.
I don’t know how she puts up with him. I tell
you if I was married to him I would…..
4.
Have you seen her new hair color? Oh my word!
5.
And to think she was raised better than that.
6.
Well, if they had raised her right, she wouldn’t
have done…..
7.
I don’t know why Pastor harps on …….
8.
What’s wrong with …….? It’s not THAT BAD!
9.
How many times should he forgive her? He needs a
life, don’t you know!
10.
He should just divorce her and get it over with.
If you are kin to Eve you probably have more to add to the
above list and have realized that these ten are a drop in the bucket to what
we, as women, have said over and over! Oh me, God help us all. Now, take each
one and flip it by thinking to do the opposite or by using words that help instead of hinder someone's spirit. Go back to Ephesians
9:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which
is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Did you get that? Grace unto the hearers…..we have an obligation to proceed
with grace for our listeners, folks!
Admit it, it takes patience and temperance to stop and STOP,
and then proceed with righteousness.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Jesus Christ has provided for you and for me the grace we
need to keep that harmony especially in the church where fellow believers work,
pray, sing and worship together. We have been issued the gifts to do what we
cannot do without Christ but remember as you exercise the gifts He gives, apply
His grace. Gifts without God’s grace can hurt others. What we say and do may be
right but the manner in which we do them, may be harsh and hurtful.
So.....PROCEED! CARRY ON! MARCH in the unity of Christ with a smile
on your face today!
Until next time, Lord willing,
Sharon
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