October 9
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we
curse beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the
same mouth come praise and curses. My brothers and sisters,
this should not be. James 3: 9-10
Reading this passage embarrasses me when I think of the callous behaviors I can so effortlessly resort to. It doesn’t take much to maintain restraint when in the presence of little ones, or people we respect, or when
conducting ourselves properly in society; but when alone or with someone whose language is constantly disrespectful? How easy it is to fall into misconduct, again and again. Judgmental thinking and harsh, careless words can do such harm! Incorrect assumptions about those viewed from afar can hastily be concluded without thought of who they are - someone's son, daughter, sister, brother, spouse, mother, father, grandparent, etc., disregarding that first and foremost, they belong to God! Yet we hear gossip about someone’s behavior or circumstance; then continue to pass judgment, criticize their actions, and seem to know more than they, what is best for them! Threatened by another’s presence, demeanor or insult, reactions in anger occur all too quickly and the response justified by a misconstrued perceived necessity to defend ourselves. Our profanity can seem to be quite innocuous too, known to no one but us, or so we think; how can we forget that most importantly, or actions are known to God? Understanding full well that our sinful behavior is an affront to our God, in itself should keep us well in check.
Over and over in Scripture we have been told that we are made in God's likeness and that we are to love our brothers and sisters as ourselves; yet at times we choose not to remember this. With a conscious effort and much prayer, we will develop a compassionate heart with a tongue that can’t help but to respond in understanding and love; for an inconsiderate, hurtful manner, should actually pain us to observe or hear, never mind to consider coming from ourselves. When we deeply feel for all of God’s creation and recognize our part in it, we begin to fully recognize that what we do to any part of it, we are actually doing to God as well, and we are more compelled to stop and think before we act. But we are human and He made us this way. He waits for us to call to Him in our need for forgiveness. Only then are we capable of praising Him with a sincere purity of heart.
Forgive my hurtful ways, oh Lord! Help me to see others as you do. May my tongue be worthy of praising you.
Copyright © 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we
curse beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the
same mouth come praise and curses. My brothers and sisters,
this should not be. James 3: 9-10
Reading this passage embarrasses me when I think of the callous behaviors I can so effortlessly resort to. It doesn’t take much to maintain restraint when in the presence of little ones, or people we respect, or when
conducting ourselves properly in society; but when alone or with someone whose language is constantly disrespectful? How easy it is to fall into misconduct, again and again. Judgmental thinking and harsh, careless words can do such harm! Incorrect assumptions about those viewed from afar can hastily be concluded without thought of who they are - someone's son, daughter, sister, brother, spouse, mother, father, grandparent, etc., disregarding that first and foremost, they belong to God! Yet we hear gossip about someone’s behavior or circumstance; then continue to pass judgment, criticize their actions, and seem to know more than they, what is best for them! Threatened by another’s presence, demeanor or insult, reactions in anger occur all too quickly and the response justified by a misconstrued perceived necessity to defend ourselves. Our profanity can seem to be quite innocuous too, known to no one but us, or so we think; how can we forget that most importantly, or actions are known to God? Understanding full well that our sinful behavior is an affront to our God, in itself should keep us well in check.
Over and over in Scripture we have been told that we are made in God's likeness and that we are to love our brothers and sisters as ourselves; yet at times we choose not to remember this. With a conscious effort and much prayer, we will develop a compassionate heart with a tongue that can’t help but to respond in understanding and love; for an inconsiderate, hurtful manner, should actually pain us to observe or hear, never mind to consider coming from ourselves. When we deeply feel for all of God’s creation and recognize our part in it, we begin to fully recognize that what we do to any part of it, we are actually doing to God as well, and we are more compelled to stop and think before we act. But we are human and He made us this way. He waits for us to call to Him in our need for forgiveness. Only then are we capable of praising Him with a sincere purity of heart.
Forgive my hurtful ways, oh Lord! Help me to see others as you do. May my tongue be worthy of praising you.
Copyright © 2013 Kathleen A. Matson