A camper last week described his intentional effort to show self-control with his tongue. His statement reminded me of myself when I was that age, measuring success primarily off what I avoided doing: "I have only sworn twice all year!" I commend the lad's efforts to stop cursing. Jesus taught the words we use reveals the truth of the condition of our hearts, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45). Trying to cease cursing with our mouths is futile without a change of mind and heart by God's grace.
When I heard the young man's comment I recalled the responsibility of believers not only to avoid sin but to do good, to speak the truth in love. Better than avoiding gossip our words ought to encourage; rather than harsh censure we can edify others with gracious words. Realising the Christian walk is more about doing good than avoiding evil was a revelation from God. The call to self-control goes far beyond speaking and is shown by listening patiently and choosing to remain silent instead of speaking our mind. We can demonstrate love by refusing to negatively judge or condemn people who do not seem to be making the concerted effort in areas we are.
How about you, believer? Have you begun to embrace your sanctification beyond surface level and dealt with matters of the heart? King Solomon gave instruction concerning folly to avoid and also directives to follow in Proverbs 4:20-27: "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil."
It is easy to trip when we are moving forward and our eyes are not on the path right before us. Following the car in front of us can lead us to drift from the centre of the lane. If we will walk uprightly, we must keep godly instruction from God's word in our hearts, be on our guard to avoid hypocrisy, ponder the paths of our feet, and walk in the way God has established. It is Jesus Christ--the Way, the Truth, and the Life--who alone has the words of life. His sheep hear His voice and we are to incline our ears to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. When we are convicted for sin it is good we remove our feet from evil: let us take the next bold step of repentance to do what is right and pleases God.
When I heard the young man's comment I recalled the responsibility of believers not only to avoid sin but to do good, to speak the truth in love. Better than avoiding gossip our words ought to encourage; rather than harsh censure we can edify others with gracious words. Realising the Christian walk is more about doing good than avoiding evil was a revelation from God. The call to self-control goes far beyond speaking and is shown by listening patiently and choosing to remain silent instead of speaking our mind. We can demonstrate love by refusing to negatively judge or condemn people who do not seem to be making the concerted effort in areas we are.
How about you, believer? Have you begun to embrace your sanctification beyond surface level and dealt with matters of the heart? King Solomon gave instruction concerning folly to avoid and also directives to follow in Proverbs 4:20-27: "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil."
It is easy to trip when we are moving forward and our eyes are not on the path right before us. Following the car in front of us can lead us to drift from the centre of the lane. If we will walk uprightly, we must keep godly instruction from God's word in our hearts, be on our guard to avoid hypocrisy, ponder the paths of our feet, and walk in the way God has established. It is Jesus Christ--the Way, the Truth, and the Life--who alone has the words of life. His sheep hear His voice and we are to incline our ears to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. When we are convicted for sin it is good we remove our feet from evil: let us take the next bold step of repentance to do what is right and pleases God.
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