I've been a little under the weather this week, but pulling through just fine...still I decided to give you another little peek into my personal journal.
Dated 5/19/10
This morning I asked the Lord, "Where am I falling short? Why don't I see a greater manifestation of your blessing in my life?"
His answer, "It's your speech. Your constant criticism of others is actually tainting your own spirit and health."
So I checked the Bible to see if there was evidence that this could be true.
James 3:8-12 says:
"...the tongue 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 blessings and cursings. My brethren, these things ought not to be. Doth a fountain bring forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries; either a vine, figs? So can no fountain yield both salt water and fresh."
It is clear to me from this passage that when I try to intermingle negative speech with kind...the whole is tainted. Jesus said to make the tree good, and it's fruit good, and to let our yea be yea.
If one believes as I do, in the law of sowing and reaping, it stands to reason that sowing bitter words about another will reap a bitter harvest.
Once I saw this, I COULDN'T WAIT TO START BLESSING THOSE WHO IRRITATE AND ANNOY ME! I began immediately to begin speaking blessing upon those individuals and in doing so, I felt an immediate sense of spiritual cleansing. Fresh clear water was now flowing instead of bitter, brackish, poisoned scum. And they weren't nearly as annoying as I once thought.
I Peter 3: 8-10 says, "Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing, but Contrariwise Blessing...knowing that you are thereunto called that you should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile..."
So my inheritance and blessing is directly connected to my speech toward others! As I pondered this, the reason became evident...God has great plans for others; not just me. He wants to give them a hope and a future; and He wants me to speak these blessings over them; instead of selfishly just praying for myself all of the time. And when you think about it; how else could true love and ministry ever be?
Note from today...I'd almost forgotten that term, Contrariwise Blessing--don't you love it? I know a lot of people who are so obstinate that they insist on speaking contrary to what others say. You know the type...you say up, they say down? But contrariwise blessing is lovely. It's insisting on speaking good, kind things in the face of, well, let's just say, in the face of people who insist on negativity.
Dated 5/19/10
This morning I asked the Lord, "Where am I falling short? Why don't I see a greater manifestation of your blessing in my life?"
His answer, "It's your speech. Your constant criticism of others is actually tainting your own spirit and health."
So I checked the Bible to see if there was evidence that this could be true.
James 3:8-12 says:
"...the tongue 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 blessings and cursings. My brethren, these things ought not to be. Doth a fountain bring forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries; either a vine, figs? So can no fountain yield both salt water and fresh."
It is clear to me from this passage that when I try to intermingle negative speech with kind...the whole is tainted. Jesus said to make the tree good, and it's fruit good, and to let our yea be yea.
If one believes as I do, in the law of sowing and reaping, it stands to reason that sowing bitter words about another will reap a bitter harvest.
Once I saw this, I COULDN'T WAIT TO START BLESSING THOSE WHO IRRITATE AND ANNOY ME! I began immediately to begin speaking blessing upon those individuals and in doing so, I felt an immediate sense of spiritual cleansing. Fresh clear water was now flowing instead of bitter, brackish, poisoned scum. And they weren't nearly as annoying as I once thought.
I Peter 3: 8-10 says, "Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing, but Contrariwise Blessing...knowing that you are thereunto called that you should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile..."
So my inheritance and blessing is directly connected to my speech toward others! As I pondered this, the reason became evident...God has great plans for others; not just me. He wants to give them a hope and a future; and He wants me to speak these blessings over them; instead of selfishly just praying for myself all of the time. And when you think about it; how else could true love and ministry ever be?
Note from today...I'd almost forgotten that term, Contrariwise Blessing--don't you love it? I know a lot of people who are so obstinate that they insist on speaking contrary to what others say. You know the type...you say up, they say down? But contrariwise blessing is lovely. It's insisting on speaking good, kind things in the face of, well, let's just say, in the face of people who insist on negativity.
***
4 comments:
While I have no religion I am a firm believer in the principle of reaping what I sow. And positivity makes life so much easier, as well as more pleasant. For me, and for everyone else.
it makes so much sense to me after reading it! I may need to start keeping a daily journal in my talks with the Lord. I sure do need help! And answers! Thank you for sharing this beautiful entry.
What a timely and truthful reminder. Thank you for blessing me with this today early before I mess up! :)
Debbie
I was also reminded this weekend of a similar thought in regard to my speech. I saw myself standing under the banner of the law and needing to move over to the banner of grace. If God has shown me so much grace, is that not what I should do likewise unto others?
It is a cleansing feeling to bless, rather than criticize.
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