words & their significance
me complaining about people who complain ...kinda
On Words, from your 'weaker brother' [or sister]
My professor said something along these lines: there are some thoughts we will never think unless a brother or sister unlocks it for us. What a wonderful concept! Let's take more neighborhood walks with a conversing friend, challenging one another in the wisdom that God is gifting to us. The multitude of thoughts of the things of God--let's divide and conquer, shall we? More on this in another public journal thought. But the other hand for today.
Have you ever had someone point out something negative about a person or place or thing, and from then on, it's as if you can't un-notice it? [By the way, it works the other way, you know, in speaking positive, encouraging things.] Yeah, well, I probably never would have criticized that classmate in my mind, nor drudgingly approached that fine task, nor wished for a tastier meal in the student dining room if someone had not voiced the complaint of their mind to me. [Okay, maybe I would have wished for a tastier meal once or twice on my own, but definitely far less often. For goodness sake, come with me to the seasoning rack, people!]
Jesus dropped this one in response to the Pharisees one day: "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak," from Matthew 12:36 ESV. The word "careless" is also translated by other versions as useless, empty, non-important, idle, etc. The word in Greek is used in the New Testament with the concept of laziness and idleness.* What's the context of Jesus' statement? Well, in the Matthew 12 passage, the Pharisees just suggested to themselves that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of the devil. What?! That is beyond "careless words." That's straight-up blasphemy. Yet, he warns against using words that are careless, LAZY words. It's worth taking note that in the same conversation of blasphemy, he speaks broadly to show how significant words are; even the words spoken out of laziness will be judged for what they are.
To all of us who complain (and myself, who complains about complainers) :
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" Philippians 2:14-15 ESV
To anyone who is EVER tempted to say something in less than the most gracious way (of course an unlikely scenario, but hey, in case it happens...) - "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:6.
Friends, let's get in the practice of sifting our speech through the strainer. What could the strainer be? I think at this stage it represents any second thought at all. You probably know how your words could be better. It's partly about letting our speech be part of the thing that sets us apart as saved sinners who have encountered the holy God. It's also about how God will hold us accountable for everything that comes out of our mouths. Oof! So, instead of being lazy, let's just think before we speak. I know you already know this stuff. Just consider it your semi-annual reminder, because we're all a work-in-progress.
P.S. I'm totally reminding myself not to speak carelessly as I write this.
Okay; I have to believe you've heard this exhortation before that I am saying: to be slow to speak. And perhaps the Spirit is not convicting you of your words, and for that I will not judge you if your honest words seem to me like complaints! But I had to share this because of this: I am extremely sensitive to words. I will ask the Lord to help me be strong, but I am SO susceptible to thinking differently depending on how those around me are speaking. I am weak, so sometimes I avoid conversation circles because I know I can't handle hearing honest [even valid and helpful] criticism. It's a struggle I face constantly, and I guess it has stopped me from fellowshipping at times. I believe this challenge was given to me to give to you, NOT as a person who is looking down on spiritually immature siblings. No! I am requesting this as the weaker sister that Paul talks about in Romans 14. If you don't need to think twice about your words for your own sake, alright, but consider thinking twice for mine.
Speak life, brothers and sisters!
-Kat(t)
*My big talk is coming from a couple of minutes on studylight.org using Strong's Greek Lexicon. It's actually super simple to do a pretty decent word study for getting a better grip on Scripture! Ask me if you wanna hear more!