Vinegar Or Honey
Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>
"They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips." -Psalm 140:3
Did you know that sometimes words can hurt just as much, if not more, than a physical blow to the body? That's right, for words spoken in anger, frustration, hatred, and jealousy have the capacity to cut deeply.
Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we say something we don't really mean, but once it has left our lips, it is too late, and the damage has been done, unless forgiveness is immediately sought.
We are all guilty of speaking unkindly or thoughtlessly at one time or another, but the way to make sure these times are few and far between with the goal of not again occurring, is practicing patience and love.
Just as a vipers tongue can be so quick it is barely visible to the human eye, we must practice thinking before we speak, rather than speaking then thinking (and often regretting). In order to do this we need patience; that unseen force which allows us to wait without becoming upset. Then, once in that holding pattern, we have better opportunity to think about what is the best way to respond to the matter at hand using wisdom, discretion and love, rather than anger or hate. When I refer to "best way," I am of course referring to the wisest way: God's way.
At the risk of using a worn and perhaps corny expression, I often ask myself, "What what Jesus do?" In conversation with another individual it would then translate to be, "What would Jesus say?"
Not one of us is perfect as we all have sinned in our life time, but this does not mean we still cannot reach for higher levels of godliness even by keeping watch on the purity of our speech. Will our words hold the bitterness of vinegar, or will they be sweetness to our soul?
Today, won't you consider if your words will be like honey or vinegar?
<>< The List To Live By ><> |
The most destructive habit..............................Worry
The greatest Joy.............................................Giving
The greatest loss......................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work....................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait....................Selfishness
The most endangered species........Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource....................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"...........Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome......................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill............Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease................Excuses
The most powerful force in life...........................Love
The most dangerous pariah......................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer...........The brain
The deadliest weapon.............................The tongue
The two most power-filled words................."I Can"
The greatest asset.........................................Faith
The most worthless emotion......................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire................................SMILE
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