Let the Words of My Mouth...

Today I want to to talk about something that I'm familiar with but it baffling at the same time.  Please note that this post is referring to those who claim to be followers of Christ, more so than a person who claims no religious affiliation.  As Christians we are admonished to minister to one another, especially to those who are new to the faith, that if we see something that is amiss we should address it.  And this is why I'm writing, it's not to bash anyone with my beliefs but to help my sisters and brothers in Christ to do well in the Lord because it gets hard sometimes.  Especially if you are the only believer in your family or in your social circles.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.   James 3:9-10

A lot of people say one thing and do another.  And then there are a lot of people who speak in one manner and then the next they speak in another which is unbecoming.  For example, a friend makes a Facebook status about how the Lord has blessed them and that they aren't worried about the people that are trying to bring them down.  And in that same status they will call family, friends, loved ones and perfect strangers every foul name in the book and end it with..."But I'm not worried because God has my back."  Really?

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.  Psalms 19:14

I hear a lot of people say that swearing isn't a bad thing and we even have television shows where even the priests curse and accepted.  Yet, if a small child were out in public and they began to use the same language it would be embarrassing or mortifying to most of us.  Why?  Because for a Christian, cursing/cussing is out of character.  A perfect example is found in Mark 14:70-71 when Peter was found out to be one of Jesus' disciples.  He was told that his very speech betrayed him and proved that he was a follow of Christ so what did he do to try and change the minds of the people around him?  He started to curse and to swear.  See, the truth of the matter is the more time you spend with Jesus, the less you want to and find yourself using foul language.  Does that mean that you aren't a Christian anymore?  No, it just means that you have something that needs to be worked on and fortunately for you, you know exactly who can help you with it.  Because as long as you stayed close to Him, you didn't have that problem.  It only became a problem when you took matters into your own hands.  When you decided that you'd had enough and you were going to give so and so a piece of your mind or that you would no longer hold your tongue.  And that he/she said something nasty to you and you were going to say something just as nasty, if not worse, to them.  For the tongue to be such a little part of the body it can cause a world of trouble, hurt and pain.  And we ought to be more careful of the words we use when we speak.  Leave that in the hands of Jesus.  Take a deep breath and if you have to, walk away.

Are You for Real?

So how can you tell is someone is sincere and just had a "slip of the tongue" or if they are only pretending to be Christlike because it suits their needs at the time?  We are told that we will know them by their works.  Romans 3:13-18 also paints us a picture of the type of person who lets their mouth rule over them.  It says, "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes."  So when you find yourself around people like that then you need to separate yourself or else you'll find that you get caught up in all kinds of drama, losing your religion and, yep.  Cussing somebody out.  It's a shame, but it happens.  "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Corinthians 15:33

Seek Peace and Pursue It

So I leave you with this, let's strive to follow the example of our Lord and Savior, able to accept his robe of righteousness, so that we can be found blameless when that time comes. "And finally, all be of one mind, having compassion on one another, loving the brothers, tenderhearted, friendly. Never give back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, giving blessing, knowing that you are called to this so that you might inherit blessing. For he that wants to love life and to see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile. Let him turn aside from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayers. But the Lord's face is against those who do evil. And who is the one who will harm you if you become imitators of the good?  I Peter 3:8-13

May the Lord bless you and keep you.