| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net We have been talking about; let me think; Talking, and more specifically the damage it can and does cause. The Bible says that the man who can control his tongue, is a perfect man, but we know that there is no such thing as a perfect man. So what do we do? Just let her rip and worry about the consequences later? No, because the consequences range from laughable to horrifically divisive. Here are some things to look out for. #1 is Words that are Hasty. “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” - Prov. 29:20. These are the things that you say to someone who at the time, seems to have it coming, but later you wish to no avail, that you could take it back. Spiritual Switch: Do you know someone, or are you someone that just blurts it out? Do you justify it by saying: “well it was the truth, and I just calls it like I sees it.”? Do folks say of you: “well, at least you know where you stand with them, cause they don’t pull any punches.”? Do you think that is an admirable trait? God says you’re a fool. “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Prov. 29:11. 2nd are Hasty Commitments. “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Prov. 15:28. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Folks with the best of intentions, volunteer for lots of things, only to find they are in over their heads, and become bitter about it. When this happens, we can a) make up a lie to get out of it; or b) do it, but with a bitter spirit that does no one any good. Often, we can be so busy doing the good things, that we sacrifice the great things. Finally, there are Hasty Conclusions. “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Prov. 18:13. Here is what this looks like. You hear something about someone. Then you tell two or three of your closest confidants. They tell a couple more, and ultimately someone confronts the principal, only to find that there are two sides to the story, or worse yet, it wasn’t true at all. So what should we do? Is the test whether or not it is true? No. The test is whether or not telling someone will help or not. Will it bring Glory to God. Is the person you’re telling even potentially part of the solution? If not, shut up. “Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19. Bad news? We are all guilty of all of these. Good news? You have the power every day, to say the right thing, or nothing. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Prov. 15:23. God Bless. |
 |