“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

I’m sure we have all heard that saying.  But it is an untrue statement, because words do hurt and are damaging.  The bible says in James that “the tongue is a little member and boasts great things…out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”   We all have made mistakes with our tongue.  We have all said things at one time out of anger, frustration, protection, out of defense and or compassion that we wish we could take back - we have all been the recipient at one time too.   The key is not to become bitter and unforgiving.  Ephesians says “Be angry, and do not sin. do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (cf. Ephesians 4:26)  

Psalm 4:4 says “Be angry, and do not sin.  Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”   We must be like James instructs “slow to speak, slow to wrath” because, “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Yes, we are to speak the truth, but speak the truth in love.  There are always lessons to be learned.  We must learn from our mistakes to move forward.  Jesus wants us to move forward in our journey with him and one another.  The bible says that Jesus “has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5: 18)   The natural man, the flesh, doesn’t want reconciliation.  The spiritual man (non gender) not only desires reconciliation but understands that is his/her ministry.  Life is all about relationships, with God through Christ and with one another.

So…”be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (cf.  Ephesians 4: 32)

We are all in this together - for we are members of one another!

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Rodney