Tender Words for a Tough World

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.”  Proverbs 15:1-2

We all know them.  The people who think they know everything and let us know it.  Sometimes they are totally wrong.  It is then that we have some choices.   We can publicly confront them and risk making them mad, or let them go on making an idiot of themselves, or follow the Biblical model and quietly speak to them about their error.  Using gentle words might save us from getting beat up.

Try a little tenderness. 

Sticky Bun, Anyone?

“For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon!” The Son of man has come eating and drinking and you say, “Behold a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”  Luke 7:33-34. 

Jesus was controversial, and sometimes, as in this case, the controversy was created by those seeking a reason to discredit Him.  This also proves that no matter what we do, there are those who will find a reason to question whether our actions line up with being a “good Christian” in their opinion. 

Jesus pointed out that such scrutiny is ridiculous.

Fight the good fight.

Oh, To Be Wise

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5.

God is so interested in our lives that He will give us the wisdom to make the right decisions.  I have a friend who tells a story about his brother-in-law, Dow.  Dow wanted a new car and thought that he had found the right one.  He took a couple days to think about it and prayed that God would help him make the right decision. 

Dow drove to the dealer still debating whether or not to buy a new car.  In front of the dealership there was a sign that was supposed to say “No Down Payment,” but some of the lights were burned out so it said, “No Dow.”   

Dow got the message.

God does not always serve up wisdom so easily, but He is always there to guide us when we ask for help.

The Spirit Rests On You

“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  I Peter 4:14

Every Christian has or will experience it.  It is never pleasant.  Yet, every one of us at some point will be hated because we are Christians.  I had a philosophy class in college and the instructor publicly called me out.  He said, “You’re the only Christian in here.”  I replied, “No, there are others.  They are stealth.”  I was an old lady who was working on an associate’s degree, and I had the gall to ask him questions, while all the children sat silent, and this irritated him.  I never once mentioned my Christianity, yet he knew I was a Christian and hated me for it. 

After that I wore my “What Would Jesus Do” t-shirt to class every day.  Day after day the instructor insulted the Christian Church.  I didn’t say anything because lots of people don’t like organized religion.  Then one day he insulted Jesus, and I stood up and walked out.  After that he kept his insults directed at the church and I tortured through and finished the class.

Several months later, I was dropping my teenage daughter off at a youth meeting when a young woman came up to me and asked, “Were you in that philosophy class at Owens?”  I nodded.  Then she said, “Remember that day when you walked out? Well, I walked out too.” 

I knew the Spirit of God rested on me.  

Grace for Everyone

Opening his mouth Peter said, “I most certainly understand that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”  Acts 10:34-35.

The disciples of Jesus were all Jews, and had been taught that they alone were the people of God.  They believed that by obeying the laws of the Old Testament they were working their way to heaven.  Jesus taught the disciples that the old rules no long applied, because everyone was under a new covenant; the covenant of grace. 

Today, there is civil and religious unrest around the world.  We need not to label those embroiled in conflicts as enemies of the faith, but rather to pray that they will come to a place where they recognize Jesus as their savior.  Peace comes when the hearts of men are changed, both ours and theirs. 

God does not ration His grace.

Neighbors, We All Have Them

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:8

Some of the simplest commandments from Jesus prove to be the toughest.  All of us are neighbors and all of us have neighbors and all of us can be downright unlovable at times.  You know what I mean.  This scripture urges us to look beyond petty and not so petty annoyances and to look to God’s unconditional love for us so that we can love our neighbors. 

Now go say something nice to your neighbor who just blew leaves all over your yard.