“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17).
Been to a church council meeting lately? You may not call it as such, but if your heart and life revolves around the church, committee meetings and the like are common fare.
I’ve long since given up going to council meetings. Not because they are unimportant, but rather because emotions usually are the rule of the day rather than reason. And when emotions rule, words flow freely. I know. I was the reason behind Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:34:
“For out of the overflow of the heart a mouth speaks.”
Thus, I no longer attend. I have a very difficult time in keeping my tongue when others are liberally offering theirs in all matters. It doesn’t mean that I’m better than anyone; it simply means that I’m choosing not to enter the fray. And when you’re a preacher’s wife, that fray invariably involves the leadership or perceived lack thereof of said preacher husband.
We know the wounding of words. We’ve got the scars to prove it. And while some would say it comes with the job, I say otherwise.Words are never meant for the wounding. Instead, they are given to us as a gift from God for the teaching and admonishing of one another with the wisdom of heaven so as to bring about a peaceful unity amongst the body.
When words become our weapon rather than our encouragement, we’ve missed the mark. Not only as members of the human race, but more importantly as members of the kingdom of God. If we can’t level kindness and love within the walls of our own church … our lives will level as useless for God outside of those walls.
I’m not kidding; neither is God. He has called us to be…
His light (Matthew 5:14-15).
His temple (2 Cor. 6:16).
His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:19-20).
His ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19-20).
His kingdom carriers (Luke 17:20-21).
His new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
His heirs (Romans 8:17).
When our passionate embrace of our well-intentioned causes—the carpet, the budget, the fellowship hall, the use of the building, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera—when our protection of these ideals becomes more important to us than the caustic words we level on their behalf, our light grows dim.
We are but a resounding gong and a clanging cymbal to a world that needs the contrast—the love of Jesus Christ pouring out through our mouths and with our actions because our hearts simply cannot contain their melody any longer. God’s song was meant to be sung through the likes of you and me, and when we can’t sing it in love, better to keep our mouths shut.
I’m not kidding; neither is God.
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish man, but fools die for lack of judgment.” (Proverbs 10:13).
“A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:23-24).
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26).
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t voice our passions. God created us as a passionate people, especially when it comes to “doing” the business of the church. But therein lies the rub. How do our notions of “church business” match up with God’s notions of the same? And while I don’t have the full understanding of God’s mind in the matter, I feel confident that he never intended for our inward “doings” to be oiled and greased by the rancor that is so readily spoken via our mouths.
When our impassioned “doings” and the defense of them accordingly becomes more important than the wounds we’re exacting along the way, time to sit down and re-examine our hearts beneath the illuminating light of God’s heart.
Then, and only then, do our words work for the better good. God’s good.For the building up of the kingdom and the sacred seeding of all things eternal. And those “things,” my friends, have nothing to do with carpet selection or building repairs. Rather, eternal things are rooted in the saving of a human heart.
I’m not kidding; neither is God. He sacrificed his own Son to prove his mind in the matter.
Thus, let’s get to it. Let’s stop the free flow of our caustic criticisms and allow the grace of Jesus Christ to be the seasoning from our lips that salts the world with the flavor of eternity. Thus, I pray…
Forgive me my words, Lord, when I am quick to offer them in matters that matter little to you. Instead, fill my mouth with your words of purpose and promise that fill rather than deflate. That restore rather than condemn. That illuminate rather than darken. That strengthen rather than weaken. May the heart of our churches reflect the heart of your grace, so that, indeed, your kingdom comes as intended—because of us, rather than around or in spite of us. Clean up our hearts with the redemption of Calvary and season our response with the sweet words of your song. We concede them both—our hearts and our lips—to your refining touch this day. Amen.
Copyright © January 2009 – Elaine Olsen
