|
| Hurtful words breed hurtful actions |
|
| |
Why is it important to understand why hurtful words breed hurtful actions?
Jesus in Matthew 15:19 said, “8But(V) what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Jesus says what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. He goes on to say in verse 20, “19For out of the heart come(W) evil thoughts,(X) murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness,(Y) slander. 20(Z) These are what defile a person. But(AA) to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone." Out of the heart come forth evil thoughts and actions. Therefore hurtful actions begin in our hearts because of sin and come out in the form of negative actions towards others.
James 3: 5-12, “5So also the tongue is a small member, yet(F) it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6And(G) the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members,(H) staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil,(I) full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people(J) who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”
The tongue may be a small member of our body but the effects of hurtful words are like a raging forest fire. An uncontrolled tongue can defile the whole body. The tongue can damage all of a person and all of his/her life. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can bring forth the change necessary to stop us from saying hurtful words and doing hurtful actions. This can only occur as we yield every part of our lives to the Lord, and present it to Him as an offering (Romans 12:1-2).
We use our mouths to bless others and to bless God. Bless our God refers to the Jewish practice of saying “blessed be He” whenever God’s name was mentioned. James is pointing out the inconsistency of blessing God while cursing people who are created in His image. Pouring salt water into fresh produces a bushel of rotten fruit. Likewise, mixing the contradictory speech of blessing and cursing will only produce negative results.
Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always(A) be gracious,(B) seasoned with salt,(C) so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. “
Christ was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Christians are to be gracious, pleasant, attractive, winsome and courteous. We are not to be flat, not dull, not tasteless. Christians are to have an edge of liveliness, and to be marked by purity, wholesomeness, and hallowed pungency so that we may know how to answer each one who asks us the reason for our faith. In order that our testimony not be soiled our speech must be godly. This means that we must break the crazy cycle of using hurtful words to our spouse, family, friends and coworkers.
1st Peter 3:15, “5but(A) in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,(B) always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and(C) respect,”
Believers should acknowledge the eternal holiness of Christ by revering Him as the Lord of the universe who is in control of all things. Peter assumes that the Christian faith will be falsely accused. He therefore encourages Christians to have rational answers to respond to those false accusations. Scripture indicates that both Moses and Christ were meek men; however, they were not weak men. Fear implies a high degree of reverence or respect.
How can we break the crazy cycle of hurtful words?
1) By understanding that hurtful words breed hurtful actions.
2) By understanding that doing the same behavior over and over is insane. The only way to break the insanity cycle is through repentance/confession of sin (1st John 1:9). It may even be necessary that you may want to consult your Pastor about your issues.
3) By understanding that hurtful words affect the way a person thinks/views you.
4) By understanding that hurtful words build up layers of bitterness and resentment.
5) By understanding that a soft answer turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1, “1(A) A soft answer turns away wrath, but(B) a harsh word stirs up anger.”
6) By understanding that our words either spur us others onto godliness or godlessness.
Today decide to break the crazy cycle of hurting those you love by committing to speaking God’s Word instead of nasty words to tear people down. In this way you will bring glory to God and He will use you in the lives of those around you as a witness to His grace and mercy. Will you use your words to glorify God and build up others? Or will you continue to use your words to tear down people?
In Christ Alone,
Pastor Dave |
|
| To add a comment to "Hurtful words breed hurtful actions" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
 |
|
|
| Pastor Dave. God is still working on my Tongue, Praise Him, I've come a long way but be patient with me...He's not through....... |
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| ya know...you sure do know what I need sometimes! HAH! |
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Lotsa truth here, Dave. BTW, did you read Love & Respect? The author coined the term "Crazy Cycle" to describe marriages caught in an illogical downward spiral where both spouses are motivated by bitterness and resentment to deny the other the very thing they need most, love/respect, thus denying themselves that which THEY need as well! (You also used the term crazy cycle...) |
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Pastor Dave this was a powerful lesson....I truly enjoyed it....full of wisdom and truth ;o) |
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| MarsJay,
I'm blessed to know you were well served by this message. Praise His name. |
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Pastor Todd,
Amen to that. |
|
|
| October 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Mike, Glad you enjoyed the message. As far as love & respect goes, I haven't read the book (I want to) but am watching the DVD's with Sarah. I really enjoy his teaching and boy does he ever get you to think! I dig that also :) |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
Good blog! We all need to allow the Lord to work on that little pink thing of ours! "I know I do" Thank God for his mercy.
Thanks for a good read! |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Well said! I am a big fat failure when it comes to the tongue. :) |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
| TRUTH HURTS VERY MUCH YOU KNOW GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Evangelist Keith,
Amen brother we are all a work in progress. |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Woman of Laughter,
That means the Lord is trying to get a message to His people :) |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Grant,
Who isn't brother? :) I'm sure we all have our "stories" about how we have used our tongue poorly (I know I do). |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Misty- I'm glad you were well served by the message. |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
This blog is about HURTFUL WORDS.
Thank you for this message Dave. It is well needed in the body of Christ. Sometimes we all say things that can be hurtful to or about another person, whether willfully or not willfully.
Please let us pray about this. Father, please convict us when we offend someone in thought, word or deed, so that we can repent and make recompense, and give us the right words to speak that will bring others closer to you. Please anoint our words with the sweetness of your Holy Spirit, and give us agape' love to see Spiritually beyond the human flesh, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen..
Shalom to all my friends
|
|
|
| November 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Amen PT! That sounds like it would have been an awesome experience and definately one that gets ingrained in your thinking. |
|
|
Follow this blog
