Thursday, October 13

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

“A word aptly spoken

     is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

“Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

     is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

“Like the coolness of snow at harvest time

     is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;

     he refreshes the spirit of his masters.” (Proverbs 25:11-13)

Proverbs contains a multitude of verses about the power of the tongue to bless and to curse. James picks up on this teaching and explains that it takes great wisdom to control the tongue. Jesus indicated that our words reveal our hearts.

Election seasons typically provide promises aplenty, but this one has devolved into verbal brawling. While I don't wish to delve into politics, I do wish to highlight the danger to us: that we may become numb to hyperbole and name-calling.

Name-calling ultimately seeks to degrade the humanity or depersonalize its target. Name-calling also shields the speaker from taking personal responsibility and often accompanies projecting blame onto others. It runs counter to God’s desire for us to take accountability for our words and thoughts and destroys the dignity of the other group, all of whom God created fearfully and wonderfully in His image. Once we have dehumanized someone else, we then feel justified in treating that person in a subhuman way. We no longer listen attentively, we no longer care, and we wish to silence or even hurt the individual.

The Proverbs urge to use our words graciously but truthfully after the pattern that Jesus would set for us (John 1:14). We should welcome constructive criticism from others in order to become more Christlike. We should choose our words so that others may grow through their interactions with us. I take the final Proverb listed above as guidance for presenting situations in a positive way that brings proper honor to our great God and King.

Do your words remind others of “apples of gold in settings of silver”? Do they value their conversations with you? We certainly all have our days in which we might struggle, but our calling as believers includes submitting to God and honoring Him through our words and thoughts. How may you best display His love and character through your words?

Lord Jesus, we seek to honor You with our lives. Give us wisdom and genuine hearts as we speak graciously and truthfully to others. Help us not to settle for less than these goals. Strengthen us so that we may build others up and bless them with Your presence displayed through us. We love You and thank You for all Your goodness to us. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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