Several times this week I have lashed out at my husband with my words. I won't go into the details of each incident, but let's just say they were not pretty. Being near that "special time of the month", this did not help matters. But really, there is no excuse for my behavior. When I get upset and angry, my tongue often gets the better of me. I slip and say things that I normally wouldn't say and really don't mean -- things I regret when the dust clears and the emotional waves calm. I let my tongue control me instead of exercising restraint.
We recently began a study of the book of James. I was truly convicted this week after doing our lesson and reading again James 3: 1-12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A1-12&version=NIV). If you know me personally, you know that I often admit (after the fact) that my tongue gets me into trouble. I often talk too much, too bluntly, or too severely, without first thinking. And like I said, this gets worse when emotions (or hormones) are in an uproar. So I have often turned to these passages in James for guidance in the past. James uses different imagery to illustrate the nature of the tongue. Like the bit in the mouth of a horse, or a ship's rudder, it is a small part that can direct and guide the rest of the body. It can guide towards good (praise and encouragement) or bad (evil and curses). It is like a spark that can set the whole forest on fire, destroy, and corrupt. And like an animal, it is hard to tame. But it too can be like a beautiful tree that can provide for our needs and bear fruit.
In doing my study this week, I finally understood the last part of these verses. I finally realized that the real problem is not that my tongue is getting the better of me, it is the inconsistent nature of my speech. At times words of encouragement and praise come out of my mouth, but then other times the words are meant to cut and hurt. I am thoroughly ashamed afterwards, of course, and I ask for forgiveness. However, once uttered, these words can't be taken back and they are not soon forgotten. I finally realized that my inconsistency of speech might really mask a deeper problem: the inconsistency of my heart. "The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, false testimony, slander. . . (Matthew 15:18,19)." And if my heart is the real issue, then oh, how I have been deceiving myself!
If any of this resonates with you, will you say a little prayer with me?
Dear Lord, you know my heart better than I know it myself. Please forgive and convict me of all wrong and ill-will that is harbored there. Help me to purge my heart of all that is unclean. Let me not deceive myself. Please give me the grace and strength to overcome my emotions so that I am not tempted again to lash out in anger. Instead let the Spirit guide me to speak words that are fitting (or stay silent when I should) and use my words only to lift others up rather than tear them down. Amen.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Freedom
With the entire country celebrating the Fourth of July this weekend, I have been thinking a lot about freedom. This word has so many different meanings depending on the context. For example, the word freedom is often used synonymously with the word independence during this holiday. The holiday commemorates our country declaring its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. We typically celebrate the holiday with fireworks, backyard barbecues, parades, family get-togethers, shopping sprees -- all things American. We celebrate our freedom to self-govern and for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," rights that we often take for granted since we live in a democratic society.
But today I don't want to talk about politics. I want to talk about spiritual freedom. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery, (Galatians 5:1)." What does this mean? Jesus said, "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free, (John 8:32)." The truth is Jesus himself, that he died to set us free from sin and from a long list of religious laws and regulations. This freedom is not to do whatever we want -- that would only lead us back into sin's bondage. Christ came to set us free from our own evil and selfish desires that keep us separated from God. This freedom is freedom to worship God and be in a personal relationship with Him through Christ. And it is a freedom to serve him and be all that God meant us to be -- in His image. And it is a freedom that leads to salvation, everlasting life.
I was reminded recently that this type of freedom also means liberation from emotional chains. It is a freedom from depression, worry, anxiety, loneliness, and the need to seek validation from anyone but the Lord. In the past I was a slave to my own negative emotions and attitudes. I was so depressed that I contemplated ways to ensure my own demise. Absorbed in self-pity I also sought to sabotage anything good in my life so that I could stubbornly maintain my own negative self-concept. I was worthless, no one loved me, and it didn't matter what I did, I would always be a failure. When I eventually came to Christ, I began to realize that I could love myself because He loved me; others could love me and I could love them because I was free to love. I slowly began to realize that it really doesn't matter what other people think of me. I am made worthwhile because of Christ's love and sacrifice. The only validation I needed is that from the Lord. I needed only the Lord to make me feel whole and complete. I was a slave indeed before I knew Christ, but I was freed because "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed, (John 8:36)." If you have not yet trusted Jesus as your own personal savior, I urge you to consider the peace and freedom that only He can bring to your life. There are still days that I blunder and remnants of my old self surface, but these moments are short-lived and cannot enslave me as they once did. When they surface I merely pray to the Lord and he answers my prayers and reminds me he is with me always and he will not forsake me.
Just as there are people who take advantage of political freedom to have their own way or indulge themselves at the cost of others, there are many so-called Christians who may also take advantage of their freedom to fall back into sinful ways. Because Christ is sufficient and he is all we need for salvation, they think they can continue to do anything that they want because of Christ's forgiveness. Yes, we are forgiven in Christ, but why continue to seek out sin and unrighteousness when it is so much better to be blameless in the presence of the Lord? The bible warns against this form of thinking, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)." The Holy Spirit in us is evidence of our freedom. But the Spirit in us is also what guides us to change and turn from our sinful ways so that we do not taint ourselves and truly demonstrate Christ-like freedom. "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love, (Galatians 5:13)." "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone; Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king, (1 Peter 2:16)."
Independence and freedom from the tyranny and oppression of sin is found in dependence on the Lord, Jesus. That means that true freedom comes not from ignoring Him or His commands, but in believing, trusting, and loving Him, and living, doing, and breathing the Word daily.
But today I don't want to talk about politics. I want to talk about spiritual freedom. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery, (Galatians 5:1)." What does this mean? Jesus said, "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free, (John 8:32)." The truth is Jesus himself, that he died to set us free from sin and from a long list of religious laws and regulations. This freedom is not to do whatever we want -- that would only lead us back into sin's bondage. Christ came to set us free from our own evil and selfish desires that keep us separated from God. This freedom is freedom to worship God and be in a personal relationship with Him through Christ. And it is a freedom to serve him and be all that God meant us to be -- in His image. And it is a freedom that leads to salvation, everlasting life.
I was reminded recently that this type of freedom also means liberation from emotional chains. It is a freedom from depression, worry, anxiety, loneliness, and the need to seek validation from anyone but the Lord. In the past I was a slave to my own negative emotions and attitudes. I was so depressed that I contemplated ways to ensure my own demise. Absorbed in self-pity I also sought to sabotage anything good in my life so that I could stubbornly maintain my own negative self-concept. I was worthless, no one loved me, and it didn't matter what I did, I would always be a failure. When I eventually came to Christ, I began to realize that I could love myself because He loved me; others could love me and I could love them because I was free to love. I slowly began to realize that it really doesn't matter what other people think of me. I am made worthwhile because of Christ's love and sacrifice. The only validation I needed is that from the Lord. I needed only the Lord to make me feel whole and complete. I was a slave indeed before I knew Christ, but I was freed because "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed, (John 8:36)." If you have not yet trusted Jesus as your own personal savior, I urge you to consider the peace and freedom that only He can bring to your life. There are still days that I blunder and remnants of my old self surface, but these moments are short-lived and cannot enslave me as they once did. When they surface I merely pray to the Lord and he answers my prayers and reminds me he is with me always and he will not forsake me.
Just as there are people who take advantage of political freedom to have their own way or indulge themselves at the cost of others, there are many so-called Christians who may also take advantage of their freedom to fall back into sinful ways. Because Christ is sufficient and he is all we need for salvation, they think they can continue to do anything that they want because of Christ's forgiveness. Yes, we are forgiven in Christ, but why continue to seek out sin and unrighteousness when it is so much better to be blameless in the presence of the Lord? The bible warns against this form of thinking, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)." The Holy Spirit in us is evidence of our freedom. But the Spirit in us is also what guides us to change and turn from our sinful ways so that we do not taint ourselves and truly demonstrate Christ-like freedom. "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love, (Galatians 5:13)." "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone; Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king, (1 Peter 2:16)."
Independence and freedom from the tyranny and oppression of sin is found in dependence on the Lord, Jesus. That means that true freedom comes not from ignoring Him or His commands, but in believing, trusting, and loving Him, and living, doing, and breathing the Word daily.
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