T H E O P H I L U S

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.Therefore honour God with your bodies.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Over the last two posts, I have been specifically talking about how destructive giving power to untruthful words can be for our lives, and how we ought to tame our tongues. But today, I will be touching on the issue of using words to soothe, bring comfort and compassion to our neighbours and even our enemies.

Words and actions go hand in hand. Preaching the gospel is so much more than just saying the truth, but living the truth as evidence of those words. Our steadfast obedience is a sure sign of our salvation. At the same time, what comes from our mouths then have the potential to lead others to destruction or to godliness. Though we should not give power to words of untruth, how much more imperative is it that truth and love be spoken to the greatest of articulation. Our bodies are vessels and tools to be used for the sake of God’s glory and kingdom. Our lips and tongues are not omitted to that purpose (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Thus the challenging question for us today is, how can my lips be used to glorify God? This seems like an obvious idea but if we needed to truly put it in the practice, there would be as many ideas as there are words in the dictionary. I will not digress into most specific scenarios, but will give a general guide of biblical principles.

CHOOSE ENCOURAGEMENT OVER CRITICISM

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

– Hebrews 3:13

This does not mean that there should be no use of pointing out the mistakes in life, because we ought to learn from it. But criticism should never be given power to crush and destroy someone, or one’s own esteem. To realize mistakes or errors needs to be spoken in ways that build up and edify the church. When all that is said is criticism and negativity, is when we give power to the enemy who uses truthful statements to speak untruthful thoughts and impressions. Thus criticism should always and only be mentioned when there is a solution for restoration and renewal.

SPEAK AND ACT IN TRUTH. LET UNTRUTH BE REVEALED ON IT’S OWN.

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible-and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

– Ephesians 5:13

We often try to pry so hard into people’s lives or attempt to condemn people for some of the untruths that others may have adopted into their lives. We are quick to try and correct others before we have corrected even our own selves. If there is one thing that I have learned about myself as a Christian, is that I am quick to judge others before I have been transformed myself by the word which convicts me. One will never believe that pizza straight out of the wood fire oven may be tastier than soggy microwaved frozen pizza until they have tried it and that is all they have eaten up until now. You cannot convince them without giving them a taste and certainly without bringing them to the restaurant yourself. The truth which is not just spoken, but made with evidence will do all the revealing that is needed. If we whole heartedly believe that the Gospel and the Word of God is the truth, then our responsibility is to be faithful in our spiritual walk so that the Gospel may come to life and reveal to others that the Word of God is not dead but alive and working in us.

FIX YOUR EYES AND HEARTS ON THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

– Philippians 2:14-16

It is easy for us to look at all the messy things in life, and begin to grumble at the dissatisfaction of all the things that just don’t seem right. But that act in itself is unfaithfulness and arrogance in its most deceiving form. The heart that is quick to complain and judge, but unwilling to walk forward with hope and obedience. When we perceive moments of discontent, our response needs to quickly become one that is hopeful in the Gospel. The question should hardly be “What is wrong with this place?”, and instead ought to be “How can I be a blessing here?”. Whether there is fruit or no fruit of the circumstance should never be in on our calculator or agenda. Rather faithfulness and servanthood needs to be the basis of every response. If we truly have faith in our Lord, and the greatness of his power and grace then our response needs to be “yes, Lord!”.

THEREFORE

Thus brothers and sisters if we all, including myself, need to make any adjustments or change in our lives, it is that our inmost and outer being must begin to reflect the hope that is claimed to be within us. The truth come to life through you and I. As we go about everyday, let us then Encourage over Criticizing; Speak and Act in truth; and at all times fix our eyes on what is above – heavenly and heavenward. This is the gospel come to life everyday, and may He strengthen you to persevere and choose such change in our everyday walks with him and those we live with.