Sometimes, things have to be said. Hard things. Unpopular things. Counter culture things.
It can be awkward and uncomfortable, especially for those who are not confrontational or wave makers by nature. I fall into this category. I prefer harmony. Honestly, by the time I am in a position to where I must speak up... I have an arsenal of words that are building steam and pressure and I must be even more careful to temper my words with love.
Easier said than done.
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ," -Ephesians 4:15
What a perfect scripture to remind us why we must temper our words with love. When we do... it is evidence we are "we are to grow up in every way into him" . How we behave in the ugly moments of life matters.
We don't have to say everything we think. In fact, love requires we don't. There are times we bite our tongues and hold back, because, although it would feel good in the moment to puke it out, there would be wounds and scars. The backlash is often wounded relationships.
James is tough on the tongue and addresses it with little grace. With our words, we can build bridges or start wars. This scripture from "The Message" is so rich in today's language.
"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life." -James 1:19-21
Lead with your ears. Follow with your tongue. Such great wisdom! When the tongue must be engaged, doing so prayerfully makes all the difference. There are times to speak up and times to be silent.
"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." - Robin Williams
Good morning, Earworm. He is singing in my ear and not it will be stuck there all day.
"Like a blinding light in the dead of night, it's the Gospel... the Gospel that makes the way."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdFEZhjiko
We can speak the truth in love and the gospel will make the way!
Today, I am grateful we can speak the truth in love.
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