Today’s Reading:
Even as you strive to stop saying toxic words to others, you will still have to deal with toxic words being said to you. As a result, you must do what God’s Word tells us to do when others speak toxic words to us: you must guard your heart against them.
How will you guard your heart against toxic words?
v13) Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
I think as Christians we get a skewed perspective on what wisdom is and what discernment is. I love that this describes wisdom as gentleness.
Whenever I’m upset, or hurt, and am seeking reconciliation or whatever… If I’m truly praying about it and listening, seeking wisdom, etc. My approach towards that person is much more gentle than when I’m lashing out in anger, hurt or frustration.
I think as Christians we are naturally discerning about more surface level things, but seeking the LORD in our discernment gives us an additionalgentleness (even if stern) in regards to what we are being discerning about and our approach and response changes, our tongue becomes moretame. We are more cautious to not add to the toxic things spoken over someone else and respond in truth.
I know I took this one a little bit different direction, but this is how this scripture spoke to me.
I think seeking the Lord and his wisdom and understanding is what helps us to learn to guard our hearts and respond in love. To prevent the toxic thoughts within us and from speaking them to other people. When we sit and realize the gravity of someone’s passing comment in our lives, how much more do we say things that affect others to the same degree. Sometimes these things are even said with good intention and love. I learned by my closest friendships how important it is to trust the other’s intentions, and therefore seek understanding instead of letting something snowball into something it was never intended to mean.
I agree that we are responsible for our words and actions, not how those actions are interpreted. But in seeking wisdoms our actions should reflect that of the LORD and that includes being wise about how to present those actions and words to others in a non-toxic way.
No comments:
Post a Comment