From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Lots of comments are floating around out there in this political season. So much is so negative and accusatory. The media engulfs itself in this stuff thereby inundating the population with a constant stream of ungodliness (in my opinion, anyways!)

They don’t seem to be watching their words, but I caution you to watch yours…and with diligence. As with a weapon—you can shoot a true enemy or you can shoot yourself in the foot. Words are as powerful as weapons sometimes. Careless, negative comments can be just as painful and injurious as a wound in war; not only to the one being demeaned and belittled, but also to the speaker whose words can come back and hurt and haunt them, too.

Jesus, as usual, has this covered. He said to be quick to listen,    sl-o-o-o-o-w to speak and sl-o-o-o-o-w to anger (James 1:19). Translation: (a) get your fingers out of your ears, (b) shut up, and (c) cool your jets! And in Ephesians 4:29, we are admonished to not let any unwholesome words come out of our mouths. Hm-m, if we went by this wisdom, we would live in an almost silent world!

Seriously, I would like to remind us to get Jesus and His holiness out in front of our daily lives. For instance, you could take just a moment to pray when your phone rings, and ask the Spirit of God to help you in any replies needed…yes, even business replies! What a difference a kind word would make when ordering a product or even better, when lodging a product complaint! How about using a similar prayer before beginning your conversation with someone, or in response to blatant lies about you, or during a family feud?

God is serious about this, folks. He not only tells you to take every thought captive; but also every word! You’ll be amazed if you practice positive speech patterns instead of negative ones. Do it and see the joy, security and peace ever mount in you; heck, even in those around you! Endure the fire...it's producing pure gold!

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