all we have is each other

There was a time in high school where I was at a fellowship and two women were up front. The one was introducing the other right before her teaching.  Normally, we just say, “Now, teaching on ……….. is …………”  Well this woman said, “Our teacher this morning is a wonderful woman of God…” and continued describing her beautiful qualities.  The last thing she said was, “And in her tongue truly is the law of kindness.”  Then said her name. 

Proverbs 31:26

This woman really did let kindness rule her tongue.  Some synonyms for kindness are:  compassion, generosity, forebearance, heart, thoughtfulness, and tenderness.   

As a young girl I thought, “Wow, I wonder if anyone will ever say that about me!”  That seemed like such a high goal to attain.  

We can and should, no matter our age, open our mouths with skillful and godly wisdom and allow kindness to dominate our words.  Our words are very powerful, what and how we speak can make or break a situation.  Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

How God would have us to speak: 

Ephesians 4:29 and 31

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 

Our words should minister grace. 

When we speak corrupt communication, we are giving the adversary real-estate to build on. What are some examples of corrupt communication?  Speaking negatives, gossip, backbiting, criticizing, complaining...speaking something about another that you would not say in from of that person.  

Backbiting hurts the whole function of the body.  Say in my eyes, someone was rude to me.  I go and talk to someone else about it then that person is left to deal with having that view of the other person.  I have just helped to ruin that person’s reputation.  And that person probably didn’t even mean to offend in the first place.  

John Wesley’s commentary 1 Corinthians 13

This "love covereth all things:" Because the merciful man rejoiceth not in iniquity, neither does he willingly make mention of it. Whatever evil he sees, hears, or knows, he nevertheless conceals, so far as he can without making himself "partaker of other men's sins." Wheresoever or with whomsoever he is, if he sees anything which he approves not, it goes not out of his lips, unless to the person concerned, if haply he may gain his brother. So far is he from making the faults or failures of others the matter of his conversation, that of the absent he never does speak at all, unless he can speak well.

We can get to the point where we can overlook mistakes and literally never be ciritical of others.  

There is great power in loving people.  

My husband used to teach about raw love.  It is untouched and unmatched in purity and quality.  You take everything away expect for love.  All you’re left with is God and His Word.  That's raw love.  And that's how we can see our brothers and sisters in Christ, as God sees them.  

Speaking ill of others is something that most people do without thinking about it.  It's apart of our old man.  I know sometimes I say something and after realize the weight of those words.  But we can form the habit of consistently building up rather than tearing down.  This of course, begins in your mind.

We can let the words of our lips be governed by the principle:  Are the thoughts that I am thinking build up or tear down who this person is in Christ? 

We simply cannot afford to let evil thoughts fester. Holding onto these thoughts only causes bitterness to germinate.

Bitterness is not in the genetic make-up of a disciple.   

Hebrews 12:15 (just read)

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

“Springing up” means to germinate.  Bitterness starts and grows when we let our thoughts run out of control. 

Even if someone legitimately wronged us, we are still exhorted by God to forgive.  Hoarding those feelings only makes the situation worse. 

The adversary loooooves to put wedges between believers.  What is important to remember is that we all play for the same team.  Whether we "like" or "dislike" another in the household, its important to just love them no matter what, even if you feel they have wronged you.  Because as Dr. Weirwille said, after God and His Word...all we have is each other.