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Inspirational Article
From
Joanne Lowe
Index of Writings by Joanne Lowe on Gospel Web
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Inspirational Article
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One of the hardest things for us to do is to be quiet when someone is attacking us with cruel and harsh words. In fact, it is impossible for us to be quiet because all of us are human. It takes the power of Jesus to control our tongues. It is only by allowing Him to work in our hearts and asking Him to please help us not to say anything harsh in return that we are able to be quiet.
When a fire in a fireplace starts going out and we add more logs to the fire, the flames shoot up and it starts burning brightly again and warms the room. Every time that we say something harsh back to someone who is saying criticizing and sarcastic words to us we are adding fuel to the fire of disharmony.
We read in the Bible “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 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: 8 – 10).
It makes satan very happy when he can cause disharmony and chaos. When we say something unkind to someone, we are making him happy. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to make satan happy. Of course, just like you do, I sometimes lose my temper and say things that are unkind when someone attacks me. However, as soon as I realize what I have said, I ask Jesus to forgive me.
Several years ago, there was someone in my family that was constantly criticizing me and saying cruel and harsh words to me. I was devastated and I spent a lot of time crying. I also said very harsh and criticizing words back to this person. At that time, I had not surrendered everything to Jesus. I was saved but I hadn’t given Him my life and everything that I said or did. I hadn’t asked Him to please help me control my tongue.
I went to my pastor and shared how this person was constantly saying unkind and harsh words to me. I was honest and told my pastor that many times I lost my temper and I said unkind and harsh words back to this person. My pastor told me that Jesus has said that we are to be peacemakers but that He never told us that we had to be doormats for someone to walk all over us.
My pastor advised me that the next time this person starting yelling at me and saying cruel words to immediately leave the room. The pastor said “When you say cruel words back to this person, you are only adding fuel to the fire.” My pastor then told me that I needed to pray and ask God to help me keep my mouth shut when someone said unkind things to me.
It has taken God many years to give me an unconditional love for people. I had a terrible temper and would even curse people. Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness! If someone is criticizing you and saying harsh and unkind things to you, ask God to please help you keep quiet. It is only as you give your tongue to Him and allow Him to help you that you will be able to be quiet when someone attacks you.
If ever someone had a right to say unkind, harsh and critical words to someone, it was Jesus. When He was here on earth, He was criticized, cursed, ridiculed and rejected yet He never cursed them back or yelled at them. He really does understand how much it hurts us and how it devastates us when someone attacks us with harsh and unkind words. Give Jesus control of your tongue and you will live a much more peaceful life.