James 3:8-12
"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come both blessings and cursing. My brethren, it ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh."
So these verses really got to me this week. They hit me hard. I was confronted with my sin: the words of my mouth.
All in all, I think I'm pretty good at avoiding gossip and not getting involved in things that aren't my business. But this week, I was wronged. I was misrepresented and I was unhappy about it and I told a friend in confidence. Okay...two friends. My words weren't kind and I was quickly made aware, by my conscience, that I had poison coming from my mouth- the same mouth I use the praise the Lord and pray for others.
So, how do we live life honestly, not denying life's realities good or bad, and still maintain a life that pleases God?
It's something to think about, obviously. Wisdom for each situation comes to mind. Keeping my mouth closed and not reacting to a difficult situation also comes to mind. But after a few days of really considering how to handle this problem, I decided to ask God how I should defend myself or even IF I should defend myself. What is God's perspective? What is He teaching me through this? How can I glorify God, learn something and seek the best for the other person when I am the one who needs to be apologized to? I am the one who has been wronged.
I have heard that no one can offend you without your permission. I believe that's true.
When my children were young and a sibling or friend would take their toy or say something rude, I would guide my children by telling them this, "Let the other person sin by themselves. Don't join them by sinning, too." It's so easy to see the simplicity of the circumstances when the situation involves a child and a toy. It's easy to sort things out when it's our friend or neighbor's problem. It gets complicated when we are verbally attacked or offended, when our pride or reputation is involved. It's hard when the attack is personal. That is when we (or I) accept the invitation to be offended. I RSVP and I show up the O.K. Corral, ready for a fight, at least a fight in my own mind. I believe this train of thought takes us back to James 1:14 where we are told that we are tempted by our own lust. When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin. This week, I gave birth to sin.
It's humbling and hard to admit that I sinned when someone else went out of their way to sin against me. James 1:16 goes on to say, "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." That's it: we are offered the bait and sometimes we take it. We are deceived and we fall into or walk straight into or run right into sin.
I'm so grateful for this book. It's so practical. And humbling. I asked God to show me my sin and make me more like Him. This week, I'm getting an eyeful. But we can't change our mindset or behavior or our heart if we don't first see our sin. So I need to be thankful to God for showing me my sin so I can change. And I suppose I also need to be grateful to the one who sinned against me. They also have shown me my sin. And now, with God's help, I can change.
Please share your thoughts, comments and wisdom.
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