Integrity

You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.
luke 12:2-3

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
1 cor. 4:5

i'm trying to choose my words wisely about the previous text. i've been hearing so much about the way others are acting and the noise which is coming out of their mouths. i say 'noise' because that's all it is, a resounding gong or clanging cymbal (1 cor. 13:1) i am not without sin, nor do i claim to have it all together. my mouth speaks plenty of noise. i often speak careless words which pierce the hearts of my listeners without even realizing that i've said something to offend them. and in saying these uncouth words, my witness becomes void and useless (ineffective).

so how does a person confront someone who speaks brashly nearly all the time? what words calm a harsh tongue? how can love break this cycle of an uncouth spirit? what is the best way to tell someone their words are hurting others? or that they have offended many people in a congregation? and what about when the person who needs to be confronted is of a 'higher' spiritual level than those who have been hurt?

this is a great lesson for me. i see how unthoughtful words penetrate the hearts of those listening. i see how words without love and compassion destroy a Christian witness. i see how quickly i can fall into the same trap. i'm beginning to understand my short-comings more and more. humility is the key - and arrogance is the downfall. simply because i have been a Christian for many years does not justify me to elevate myself above others. without love my life is meaningless. all my words and action should point to Christ, and if they don't then i am failing Him. oh how conviction hurts. 'wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.' prov. 27:6

Jesus,
forgive me for being so quick to point out others splinters when my plank is so obtrusive. i want to not judge - to allow You to judge, but i keep falling into this trap. my mind is so quick to falsely assume so many things about others. i know that only thru You can i be made whole with a new outlook on others. may Your transforming power restore my brokenness. God, You know who i'm praying for. You know the words which were spoken which have penetrated so many hearts. i pray over this person who said these uncouth words. may You convict this person, drawing this person back into Your loving arms of forgiveness. may this person be sensitive to Your Spirit - speaking words of encouragement and love. may this person speak with words which come directly from You (1 pet. 4:11), not from the hidden feelings within this person. help us to be forgiving people. help us to love without reserve, even when we desire to hold feelings of hurt against others. break us from holding grudges. let us be people of hope and love. may Your light shine in new ways. i pray for opportunities to share my faith. may You open my eyes to see these opportunities, and may i have the courage to speak the Truth in love. let my life be for You a fragrance, pleasing and acceptable.
in Jesus Name

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*Tara *Laurel *Hope