Words..... (10.24.21)

 Words.....

Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

The words that we speak have the power to inflict deep hurt and pain on one another.  Once an evil or demeaning word has been spoken to another, you can no longer take it back. It is written in the Bible, life and death is in the power of the tongue. The tongue is the smallest member of our body; but yet, the deadliest.

Everyone will be held accountable for the words they speak about, and to, others.  And GOD hears every word that a person speaks about his (or her) brother or sister. I say brother and sister because GOD made each of us to love one another like a brother or a sister.

Evil deeds and evil words, mean deeds and words, deeds and words that do not uplift, that do not encourage, that are loose and unnecessary and unbecoming - should not be committed against a brother or a sister.

It is almost always true, that people act out on feelings they are harboring in their heart. Others treat you according to how they feel about you; and for hurt and damaged people, they sometimes will treat you how they feel about themselves - disrespecting, demeaning, and unlovingly - often masking that they were 'just playing' or 'just joking.'  But at the heart of it all, at the core of it all - that is not true.  A person who cannot uplift, who spends their time putting people down, is not a healthy and whole person.  GOD is not pleased with their words, actions or thoughts; for what they speak is not true.  And often they know it.  Often it is their deficiency that is the issue, and they try to deflect it, lash out and make excuses that their behavior is okay.  And that others should accept it.  It is not okay.  If GOD doesn't say it about you, no one else should either.  And GOD loves all His Children, just the same.

And at the end of the day, we must pray for; speak to them lovingly, yet firmly; and ultimately forgive, people who speak ill of others.  The reason being is that their heart is hurting or hardened or the enemy has more of a place in their lives than GOD does; and they need the comfort and peace that only the presence of JESUS can bring.  So we must pray.  Pray without ceasing.  And not engage in empty words, false conversations or be a witness to their hurtful words or behavior.  We must pray that their words and actions turn toward love and respect and the way GOD would want us to act.  That they would act and speak in a way that reflects the sacrifice that Jesus made for ALL OF US on the Cross.  For Jesus gave His Life, so that we may be healed, healthy and whole.  Brothers and sisters in Christ ought to know this and act accordingly.  We must be 'the example of Christ' when encountering those whose conduct may reflect 'a moment of forgetfulness' that they too, are sons and daughters of the Most High.