Sunday, June 30, 2019

Slow to Speak (and post and comment)

It is sad that few people have any interest in being well informed on any given story/ subject before they blurt out their opinion. One of the saddest results of a social media culture is that we are more concerned to speak up first rather than to speak up accurately/wisely. Contrary to what you may have fooled yourself into believing, it is not necessary that you speak up about everything that pops up just for the sake of being part of the conversation.

There may be a time to speak, but before you speak, stop and listen. Bite your tongue, metaphorically or physically if necessary. Keep your fingers off the keyboard. Write your thoughts in a journal, pray about it, search the Scriptures, go back and re-read your words. Then if they are useful and well thought through and based on fact and Biblical reasoning, post. 

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. - James 1:19-20

The edge that hangs over most misunderstandings is the jump to conclusions. Beloved, we cannot be like the world when it comes to the way we form and express our worldview. Our worldview must begin with ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ not ‘well, I feel...’  The latter leads to miscommunication and a faulty worldview based on lies and sensationalized headlines. The former leads to a mind and speech that glorifies Christ. 

As you see headlines, remember that they are deliberately trying to be inflammatory. Take time to read and research before you let your tongue loose. 

Keep your speech holy and your mind stayed on Christ. Plead with God for wisdom. These are Christ exalting qualities that we ought to desire. 

27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.  - Proverbs 17:27-28

If you’ve found yourself erring in this way, repent. Go to the Lord in humility and seek His restorative forgiveness. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

Let us be in the world but not of it; not in actions, speech, or thought. 

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, - 2 Corinthians 10:5

It’s not important that we speak up first so much as we speak up accurately and in accordance with His truth.

— Pastor Jason

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