All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NIV)
The tongue can be a nasty piece of work. In the present day, a short browse of social media sites reveals the depths of negative, sadistic comments thoughtlessly communicated from one person to another.
How often have each of us said something we wished for, but later we could retract due to the harm it caused?
Thankfully, as believers, we have the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit who can temper our voices when we might otherwise react in a regrettable way.
In John 14:25-26, when Jesus is in His last days on earth, He promises to help us, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
We know in our hearts we need to pause and wait for the Lord to give us a righteous response when it would better serve our selfish interests to speak harshly from emotion reacting to something that we believe deserves our wrath. This is why the Lord says in Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay.’”
Israel was badly violated by vicious attacks. We need to decide about how we witness to the world. It is possible to support the healing of the people of Israel without being hateful towards the terrorists. Jesus commands something greater from us. He says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20
Prayer:
Lord, our God. Help us to understand Your ways while we try to process the sad devastation and innocent loss of life that accompanies war and hate. We need you to show us the right way – the healthy way – to think. We want the words that come out of our mouths to be loving. We want to be a solution to violence. You are our Great Father who received us with outstretched arms when we were broken just as the world is broken now. You redeemed us and asked us to take Your message to all the corners of the earth. Let us start in our own backyard to be worthy to be Your followers in demonstrating to others Your message of love. Amen
Go forward with confidence this week because you know your Lord and Savior gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit to be with you always. Trust Jesus!