EYES OF COMPASSION

“When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, ‘Why are your faces downcast today?’”  (Genesis 40:6-7 ESV)

Joseph’s suffering gave him eyes of compassion.

In the midst of the storm, do you read the faces of people around you the way Joseph did? Most people wear on their faces what is going on inside of them.

Do you look for friends, coworkers, people who serve you, or children in your life, and notice if their faces are downcast? It is a paradox: Self-preoccupation is actually self-defeating and produces loneliness.

Joseph expressed his heart to his fellow prisoners in a single question: “Why are your faces downcast today?”

Someone noticed them. Someone cared about their lives. Words can do this. Every word you speak boosts someone’s hope a bit, or kills it just a little…

Here’s a little test: During the stormy periods in your life, how often have you expressed genuine concern for others when you have had nothing to gain? 

-- John Ortberg in “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat”

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THE WAY WE SPEAK MATTERS

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”  (Colossians 4:5-6 NLT)

We can turn people on to the church or turn them out of the church by the way we speak.

Catherine Booth (1829 –1890) was co-founder of The Salvation Army, along with her husband William Booth. Because of her influence in the formation of The Salvation Army she was known as the 'Mother of The Salvation Army'. When she died, her body was carried to a great auditorium in London. For hours and hours, people by the hundreds streamed by her casket in an outstanding display of love, affection, and gratitude.  One man in that long line expressed what all were feeling that day:  "She spoke to me as no one ever had before.  She cared for me, and I could tell it by the way she talked to me.  I was an outcast, lonely and lost.  I will never forget her voice.   There was something so wonderful and so meaningful about the way she spoke to you.  You could feel the spirit and love of Christ in her words."

How is it with you?  Are people drawn to Christ and to the Christian faith by the way you speak? 

-- Adapted from James W. Moore in “When You're a Christian, the Whole World is from Missouri”

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AMBASSADORS OF GRACE

How powerful words are when they speak to our heart! When they strengthen us in our weakness.  When they impart peace amid turmoil.  When they build us up when others have been tearing us down.  When they refresh our weary spirit.

The writer of Proverbs reminds us that "reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18).  And later he says that "the tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21).  What powerful statements!  And we know from experience that they are true.  We've all felt the sting of sarcasm, mockery or putdown jokes at our expense.  We've also felt the pleasant summer breeze of words that refresh, fill us with hope and leave us feeling special.

The New Testament has a parallel passage that urges us to be men and women who speak grace-filled words.  In Ephesians 4:29 we read, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear" (NASB).  This is a powerful thought that the apostle Paul is urging on his hearers.  Can you hear him saying, "Your words can communicate grace.  They can be God's words to someone else"?

It's true.  Our words can build others up.  (By the way, the word “edification” was used in Paul's day to describe how a carpenter would build a house.  It's a construction word.)  Our hearers can feel strengthened, refreshed or affirmed by our words.  As men and women who are empowered and led by God's Spirit, our conversations can literally be a means whereby the Spirit communicates His grace to the one who is listening to us.  That's why the next statement Paul makes is "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God" (Ephesians 4:30).  Do you see what he's driving at?  When we are not speaking to others in a grace-full manner, we deny God's Spirit the opportunity to encourage or strengthen someone else.

We think that's a powerful truth.  We think it's exciting to know that we can be our Lord's ambassador of good news to those around us. 

-- Dr. Norm Wakefield & Jody Brolsma in “Men Are from Israel, Women Are from Moab” 

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KINGDOM PROMISES: TAMING THE TONGUE

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”  (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

The Greek word for “unwholesome” is sapros. It means rotten, putrid, or worthless -- and in this context I believe Paul means to describe, in part, the words we use to destroy others, for in the rest of the verse he contrasts this first form of speech with that which is “helpful for building others up.”

James is perhaps best known for his words about how we speak about others. He writes, “The tongue… is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of [one’s] life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell… No one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse [human beings], who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers [and sisters], this should not be.” (James 3:6, 8-10 NIV)

I would ask, does the Lord give us an exemption from practicing the Scriptures when it comes to our political leaders, those who hold office, and others with whom we disagree? Are we allowed to lay aside the Golden Rule? Do James’ and Paul’s and Jesus’ words regarding our speech and our enemies no longer apply when discussing those whom we disagree with politically? As James says, “This should not be so!”

This does not mean that we are not to practice discernment. Nor does it mean that we should remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. Yet we can make known our disagreements with others while doing so in love and with respect for the other.   

-- Adam Hamilton in “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White”

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JUST JOKING

“Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’”  (Proverbs 26:18-19 NIV)

A man had the habit of making fun of people as a joke. He would often lapse into extremely poor taste, and he offended regularly. When people would react in anger, he would accuse them of not having a sense of humor, and he would say, “Hey, I’m only kidding. You know how much I think of you.” Then he would turn around and insult them all over again. He thought that he was being immensely humorous and clever, and many people laughed at his jokes, just so long as they weren’t the target of them.

There is no such thing as a harmless joke at the expense of another being’s feelings or dignity. Christ calls us to respect and love one another, and we have no right to do anything that might prove hurtful. Our words should build each other up, not provide a stumbling block. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

A lot of cruelty has been masked as jokes throughout the centuries, but one day God will judge what was funny, and what was evil. It is the duty of every person of God to weigh the impact of their words and to speak in ways which are a blessing rather than a curse. The Lord rejoices when our words are sweet and gentle, but His wrath is kindled by words which burn and cause anguish. 

-- Adapted from “Daily Wisdom from the Bible: Encouragement for Every Day” by Dan and Nancy Dick

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