The Plumbline

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Ephesians 4:29 MSG) I wonder what would happen if we actually began treating each word as a gift. Things that get said have so much power - healing or hurt; freedom or bondage; trust or fear. We can be the instruments of grace with our words, or we can be the bearer of discouragement. Words are indeed the catalyst by which change can occur, but they can also be the anchor by which deeper discouragement and bondage happens. This is why we must guard our words and use them wisely - something that is extremely hard to do without the help of the Holy Spirit.  When I was in Bible College, one of my professors actually encouraged us to walk around one day, recording every interaction we had with others. We were to replay those words at the end of the day, listening carefully to the tone we used, how we responded to the ones we communicated with, and the specific words we use...

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. (Galatians 6:1-3 MSG) Maybe the 'if' someone falls into sin should read 'when' someone falls because inevitably we will all fall into it at some time, perhaps even today. We won't always be 'good' and 'upright' as long as we are still dealing with the tendency of relying on our emotions to steer us along the correct course. We are emotional beings, too frequently led by our emotions, less than stellar at always listening to the voice of God speaking through his Spirit within. Critical comments are so easy to make, aren't they? Finding a way to talk with someone who has fallen into sin (given into temptation...