Speaking only Good Things
“Don’t say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29.
* Did you ever have someone say things to you that truly hurt you? I am not referring to a simple statement that made you feel uncomfortable for a few moments, but to those things that cut deep into you & continue to be a thorn in your flesh for a long time? Most of us have been through this kind of situation. Here is another question: Did you ever say something that was very hurtful to someone close to you? We all have!
* The old adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is just not true. Words can heal or destroy. That is why Scripture tells us to speak only those things that edify, not what destroys.
* “But,” you will say, “there are times I really, really, I mean REALLY want to give people a piece of my mind.” Yes, we have the tendency at times to tell someone in no uncertain terms that we disapprove in their behavior, or something they have said. But if we do it in anger, won’t we be doing the same thing they have done? Will there be a positive outcome? You know the answer to that question…
* Most of the times when we get angry with someone we honestly believe we are right and they are wrong. I have to admit, some people seem to make an effort to be obnoxious & opinionated, and it is hard to get along with them. And when people are not nice, the third law of Newton (For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.) seems to come into play naturally. But that is what Jesus wants us to avoid. Relationships are important, especially in the body of Christ so we have to carefully measure our words and actions. If we always pay evil for evil, obnoxiousness for obnoxiousness, violence for violence than we will see more and more damaged relationships.
* The “lex talionis” in the Hammurabi code tells us to practice “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” if evil is done against us. It seems logical and just, but Jesus says that this Old Testament (Exodus 21:23-25) no longer applies to those who are His loving followers. Instead Jesus proposes a radical change. He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” Jesus & the apostles clearly teach us to use our words that will produce well-being, that help others, that EDIFY, and do not destroy.
* If someone paid you ten cents for every kind word you said about people, and collected five cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor? The Bible says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Proverbs 12:18.
* Remember, words are like toothpaste, if used correctly they can clean our teeth and keep our mouth healthy… but sometimes we make a big mess with toothpaste and spread it all over the sink… the same happens with words. It is hard to take destructive words back…
* I have always appreciated Garrison Keillor… He has some true gems. Once he said, “Do unto others who don’t like you as you would have them do unto you, but you know they won’t…. Shame them with goodness. Kill them with kindness. Cut their throats with courtesy.” (Garrison Keillor “The Keillor Reader”)
* One more thing… Yeah, words can hurt quite a bit… but we cannot carry a grudge against people that hurt us forever. We need to forgive and go on with life. And if we have hurt others, well then… it is time to go to them and ask for forgiveness and through the blood of Jesus that relationship will be restored. I want to close with a story of a young man who did exactly that. He asked himself what Jesus would have done. His name was Damare, a young slave boy in Africa. He was a Christian and regularly attended church in an area that was strongly Muslim. One day, as he was making his way back from a Church service, he was met by men who hated Christians. They dragged him into the brush and beat him terribly. Then they nailed his knees and feet to a board and left him to die. Miraculously he survived and was asked how he felt toward those who had done this to him. He responded that he forgave them. But why? How could he possibly think of forgiving those who had done this to him? His answer: Jesus was nailed and forgave him. Words… we need to be careful with them… Use them to edify… to love!
Rev. Don Sonntag
“Don’t say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29.
* Did you ever have someone say things to you that truly hurt you? I am not referring to a simple statement that made you feel uncomfortable for a few moments, but to those things that cut deep into you & continue to be a thorn in your flesh for a long time? Most of us have been through this kind of situation. Here is another question: Did you ever say something that was very hurtful to someone close to you? We all have!
* The old adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is just not true. Words can heal or destroy. That is why Scripture tells us to speak only those things that edify, not what destroys.
* “But,” you will say, “there are times I really, really, I mean REALLY want to give people a piece of my mind.” Yes, we have the tendency at times to tell someone in no uncertain terms that we disapprove in their behavior, or something they have said. But if we do it in anger, won’t we be doing the same thing they have done? Will there be a positive outcome? You know the answer to that question…
* Most of the times when we get angry with someone we honestly believe we are right and they are wrong. I have to admit, some people seem to make an effort to be obnoxious & opinionated, and it is hard to get along with them. And when people are not nice, the third law of Newton (For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.) seems to come into play naturally. But that is what Jesus wants us to avoid. Relationships are important, especially in the body of Christ so we have to carefully measure our words and actions. If we always pay evil for evil, obnoxiousness for obnoxiousness, violence for violence than we will see more and more damaged relationships.
* The “lex talionis” in the Hammurabi code tells us to practice “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” if evil is done against us. It seems logical and just, but Jesus says that this Old Testament (Exodus 21:23-25) no longer applies to those who are His loving followers. Instead Jesus proposes a radical change. He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” Jesus & the apostles clearly teach us to use our words that will produce well-being, that help others, that EDIFY, and do not destroy.
* If someone paid you ten cents for every kind word you said about people, and collected five cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor? The Bible says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Proverbs 12:18.
* Remember, words are like toothpaste, if used correctly they can clean our teeth and keep our mouth healthy… but sometimes we make a big mess with toothpaste and spread it all over the sink… the same happens with words. It is hard to take destructive words back…
* I have always appreciated Garrison Keillor… He has some true gems. Once he said, “Do unto others who don’t like you as you would have them do unto you, but you know they won’t…. Shame them with goodness. Kill them with kindness. Cut their throats with courtesy.” (Garrison Keillor “The Keillor Reader”)
* One more thing… Yeah, words can hurt quite a bit… but we cannot carry a grudge against people that hurt us forever. We need to forgive and go on with life. And if we have hurt others, well then… it is time to go to them and ask for forgiveness and through the blood of Jesus that relationship will be restored. I want to close with a story of a young man who did exactly that. He asked himself what Jesus would have done. His name was Damare, a young slave boy in Africa. He was a Christian and regularly attended church in an area that was strongly Muslim. One day, as he was making his way back from a Church service, he was met by men who hated Christians. They dragged him into the brush and beat him terribly. Then they nailed his knees and feet to a board and left him to die. Miraculously he survived and was asked how he felt toward those who had done this to him. He responded that he forgave them. But why? How could he possibly think of forgiving those who had done this to him? His answer: Jesus was nailed and forgave him. Words… we need to be careful with them… Use them to edify… to love!
Rev. Don Sonntag