Wholesome Communication

Scripture

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

~Ephesians 4:29, NASB

Quote

The tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart.

~Image Quotes

I was reading Gregg Lane’s devotional a few days back and he mentioned something I had never thought about. Most of us have suffered some type of injury that required a trip to the doctor or the ER. Physical wounds are obvious and usually easy to treat. But where do you go when someone slanders your name or cuts you to the bone with malicious words. Emotional wounds are just as real but they don’t treat them at the ER or the doctor’s office. A broken arm will heal much faster than a broken heart. I am afraid many do not realize the need for treatment and healing when is comes to emotional issues. A broken heart needs to be treated just as much as a broken arm. When the body is sick or injured, we need a doctor. When the soul is sick, we need a psychiatrist or a good counselor and when the spirit is sick, we need to see a preacher. Unfortunately for we preachers, most folks come to us when they should be going to a professional counselor. The psyche is just as complicated at the body.

Using this thought as a diving board; let’s think for a moment about our use of words. Paul told Timothy, “Steer clear of foolish discussions which lead people into sin and anger with each other. In the heat of the moment, things will be said that will burn and hurt for a long time to come. God’s people must not be quarrelsome; they must be gentle and patient even when they know the other person is wrong.” Remember the words of Ambrose, “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” The best policy is to avoid arguments. A relative made an appointment for me to meet with three Church of Christ preachers to discuss GRACE. I agreed to meet with one but I was nervous about meeting with three. They are trained in debate and I knew what would happen. June intervened and canceled the meeting. I was relieved. I am strong in my beliefs and have no doubt that salvation is by GRACE but I don’t want to argue with anyone. I love to discuss but arguments are a lose/lose.

  • Praise the LORD from whom all blessing flow, we are getting a corn maker here at 1120 Iron Man Road. God is good, all the time but it is surely easy to worship in the rain. Thank You Jesus for the rain!
  • Antidote from Bobby: A young ventriloquist is touring Norway and puts on a show in a small fishing town. With his dummy on his knee, he starts going through his usual dumb blonde jokes. Suddenly, a blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and starts shouting, “I’ve heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype Norwegian blonde women that way? What does the color of a woman’s hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It’s men like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community, and from reaching our full potential as people. Its people like you that make others think that all blondes are dumb! You and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but women in general, pathetically all in the name of humor!” The embarrassed ventriloquist begins to apologize, and the blonde interrupts yelling, “You stay out of this! I’m talking to that little dummy sitting in your lap.” 

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